Navigational Safety: Key Points

QHSE Sec 5.6 Navigation in Restricted Visibility

The Watch Officer must notify the Master immediately

if restricted visibility is encountered or expected or deteriorated due to any
reason, below 5 NM.

 A minimum visibility of 1 NM or the local port regulations whichever is

more stringent shall be complied with when arriving / departing port or
berth.
 A breach of this requires express office approval and carrying out of a risk
assessment

 Notwithstanding the above, the vessel shall not arrive or depart a port or
berth in restricted visibility if the Master feels it is unsafe to do so.
 If visibility deteriorates during the passage, master should not hesitate to
abort the maneuver

QHSE Sec 5.4.14 Minimum C.P.A. & T.C.P.A

 The Company always requires a minimum CPA of 2.0 NM in open

waters. If this minimum CPA cannot be maintained for any reason,
the OOW should inform Master immediately but in no case less than
20 minutes to CPA (TCPA = 20 min).
 When the vessel is NOT in open waters, the CPA distance and TCPA
time may have to be reduced by the Master depending on the
prevailing circumstances and conditions such as the size and draft of
the vessel, traffic density etc.

QHSE Sec 5.2 PRE ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE

Procedures while entering and leaving port must be complied in

accordance with checklist (S-5.7C) to be completed by the OOW in
adequate time, (but not more than 12 hours) prior arrival.
 Navigational Safety: Key Points

RECOMMENDED TRAIL, VECTOR, GUARD ZONE & AIS OVERLAY SETTINGS FOR ARPA:

1) DEEP SEA / COASTAL OR INLAND WATERS (ANTI-COLLISION):

• TRAILS: RELATIVE (THIS ALLOWS THE RELATIVE LINE OF APPROACH TO BE QUICKLY
SEEN).
• VECTORS: RELATIVE / TRUE (Alternate).
• USE AUTO-ACQUISITION GUARD ZONES (WHERE PRACTICABLE) - MAINTAIN
ADEQUATE DISTANCE OF GUARD ZONE FROM CENTRE, TO PREVENT CLUTTER
INTERFERENCE. ADJUST SENSITIVITY, IF FEATURE IS AVAILABLE. ALL RELEVANT TARGETS
MUST BE TRACKED.
• ENSURE CPA/TCPA SETTINGS ARE APPROPRIATE TO THE SITUATION AND AUDIBLE
ALARMS ARE ‘ON’. IF REDUCING CPA/TCPA BELOW 2 NM/20 MIN, THE MASTER (OR IF
RELIEVED BY THE C/O FOR LONG PASSAGES) SHOULD BE ON THE BRIDGE.
• USE TRIAL MANOEUVRE ON ARPA TO DETERMINE EFFECT OF OWN SHIP’S
PROPOSED ACTION ON OTHER SHIPS’ RELATIVE LINES OF APPROACH – REMEMBER TO
TURN OFF THE FUNCTION AFTER USE!
• TURN ON AIS OVERLAY BUT DO NOT USE AIS AS THE ONLY MEANS OF DETERMINING
RISK OF COLLISION! AIS OVERLAY, CORRECTLY SET UP, PROVIDES EARLY, AUTOMATIC,
INDICATION OF DEVELOPING CLOSE QUARTERS SITUATIONS.
• SEA STABILIZATION (WATER SPEED INPUT).

2) APPROACHING ANCHORAGE / IN HARBOURS

• TRAILS: TRUE (RELATIVE, IF RISK OF COLLISION WITH OTHER VESSELS UNDERWAY
COULD EXIST).
• VECTORS: RELATIVE / TRUE (Alternate).
• ENSURE CPA/TCPA SETTINGS ARE APPROPRIATE TO THE SITUATION AND AUDIBLE
ALARMS ARE ‘ON’.
• KEEP AIS OVERLAY ‘ON” BUT DO NOT USE AIS AS THE ONLY MEANS OF
DETERMINING RISK OF COLLISION!
• GROUND STABILIZATION (GPS / GROUND SPEED INPUT OR ECHO REFERENCE
TARGET).