COMPANY BRIDGE WATCHKEEPING
STANDING ORDERS
1) The Master will appoint a Deck Officer to take charge of each navigational watch and will also
assign a crewmember to assist the OOW as well. Procedure for calling stand-by members and relief
of the watch without requiring an on-watch member to leave the Bridge must be clearly established
and adhered to.
2) The OOW must maintain a navigational watch strictly in compliance with IMO ‘Recommendation on
basic principle and operational guidance relating to navigational watch keeping‘ supplemented by
I.C.S. ‘Bridge Procedure Guide’. He shall also comply with the Company SQEMS rules and the
Master’s standing/night orders.
3) When the Master takes personal charge of the navigation he will inform the OOW, who will continue
his duties giving the Master every assistance. The Bridge watch condition should be logged as
required by normal procedure.
4) When availability of navigational marks or position fixing system allows it, the ship’s position shall
be fixed at least:
- 1 hour in open sea,
- 30 to 15 min. in coastal water (out 12 miles),
- 10 min. in coastal water (in 12 miles).
In confined waters the frequency shall be increased to at least every 5 minutes and, when
manoeuvring in a planned approach, it shall be virtually continuous or upon Master discretion.
5) In favourable conditions the ship may be steered by automatic pilot but manual steering must be
carried out in the following circumstances:
I In restricted visibility
II In confined waters
III In congested waters
6) The OOW will fill the appropriate sections of the Deck logbook and all requirements as SQEMS
’Bridge Management Manual’ before leaving the Bridge at the end of his watch.
7) In conjunction with his navigational duties the OOW shall exercise constant ship keeping vigilance
upon noticing any abnormal occurrence will take prompt action to initiate correction. OOW is
authorized to use ME to avoid close quarter situation in additional to the helm.
C/E or duty Eng. should be advised with ample time before reducing the engine. In order to
supervise the engine reduction, Master should be notified as well. Watch change may take place
only when any manoeuvring operation has been completed.
8) The Deck Officer on watch will have to be informed when anyone enters the empty Engine Room
during unmanned conditions, and also when the last persons leaves the Engine Room as well. If
any crewmember remains alone in Engine Room, at any time. He must call the Bridge at intervals
not exceeding 20 minutes (for vessel with no dead man alarm installed) and should such a call not
be received, the Deck Officer on watch must alert Senior Engineer immediately.
9) Each Deck Officer must sign the Master’s Night order book that he has read and should have
proper knowledge of it has read and fully understand the Company Bridge watch keeping standard
orders and the IMO.
10) No less than two miles of CPA shall be maintained whenever possible and in accordance with
COLREGS.
11) While at anchor the Bridge watch team shall include the OOW and two Seaman, one “AB” with
lookout duties and the other “OS” Deck watchman duties, equipped with walkie talkie to maintain
continuous contact with the Bridge. At anchor or in port all incoming persons must be questioned for
identification and the OOW advised before allowing them to proceed.
12) OOW must comply with all navigation regulations en force as set by SOLAS,
COLREGS,GMDSS,STCW 95/97,MARPOL.
June 2013 Company Poster no. 28
