Shipboard Main Manual (SMS) NORD N

Chapter: Plans for shipboard operations Page Document

Part: Bridge Procedures
Subject: Changing the Watch 1/1 7.1.8

1 References

Norden ref.:
SMM-Doc-7.1.4 Bridge Management Team Composition
C&F-Doc-7.1-13 Change of watch - ECDIS
C&F-Doc-7.1-14 Change of watch – Paper charts

2 Change of the watch

Relieving officer must be on the bridge in sufficient time prior change of watch to become fully
orientated and complete the C&F-Doc-7.1-13/14 “Change of watch”.

The relieving officer must read, understand and sign the entries in the Master's Night Order
Book.
C&F-Doc-7.1-13/14.
If a relieving officer is incapable due to fatigue or intoxication or should the relieving officer
refuse to relieve the watch, the Officer of the watch must immediately report the circumstances
to the Master who will take whatever action is necessary. In any cases must it be recorded in
the Deck Logbook.
The Officer of the watch being relieved must pass to the relief the information listed above and
other information concerning the navigation and safety of the ship.
The Officer of the watch must not surrender the watch until assured that the relieving officer is
physically capable and fully understands the steaming situation. If not assured, the officer
being relieved must call and report the circumstances to the Master. The watch is not to be
relieved during a manoeuvre.
Before leaving the bridge, the relieved Officer of the watch must make the required entries and
sign for these in the Deck Logbook.

3 Officer of the Watch's duties while Master is present on bridge

When the Master takes over conning the vessel he should clearly indicate this fact to the
Officer of the watch. Whenever Master takes over conning this should be entered in the Deck
Logbook and vice versa. Until he does so, the Officer of the watch is to carry out his
responsibilities as if the Master was not present. The Officer of the watch is to be familiar with
his duties and responsibilities when the Master is conning the vessel according to SMM-Doc-
7.1.4 Bridge Management Team Composition.

Corr. date: 29.12.15 Estab. date: 03.07.15 Manual no.: 231

Corr./Apr. by: JA / JA Made by: JA Ship / Dept.: Nord Express
Replaces: 03.07.15 Revision no.: 2 Responsible: The Master
NOTE: If this document is NOT an integrated part of a manual with an index, in which the document is listed, it shall be considered as an uncontrolled copy. © 2015 DOCONTROL