Calling the Master

The Watch Officer must notify the Master immediately under the following conditions:

a) If restricted visibility is encountered or expected. In any case if visibility deteriorates, due to any
reason, below 3 nautical miles.
b) On encountering heavy traffic, especially concentrations of vessels engaged in fishing.
c) If traffic conditions or the movements of other ships are causing concern.
d) If unable to maintain a CPA of at least 2.0 nautical miles at a minimum TCPA of 20 minutes in open
waters.
e) If difficulty is experienced in maintaining course.
f) On failure to sight land, navigation mark or obtain soundings by the expected time.
g) If unexpectedly, land or a navigation mark is sighted or a change in soundings occurs.
h) If there is a sudden change in the vessel’s speed.
i) On breakdown of the engines, propulsion machinery remote control, steering gear or any essential
navigational equipment, alarm, or indicator.
j) Malfunction of the ship’s GMDSS equipment.
k) On receipt of any Distress message or a coast radio station contacts the vessel in connection with
SAR activities or a vessel in distress is sighted or any distress signals are sighted including a SART
signal on the X band radar.
l) If in any doubt about the possibility of heavy weather damage.
m) If there is a sudden change in the wind direction and / or wind force, or a sudden drop in the
atmosphere barometric pressure.
n) Presence of Naval vessels in the vicinity.
o) Presence of any suspicious craft in the vicinity.
p) The Officer on duty is tired or not feeling well due to any reasons whatsoever.
q) The relieving Officer is not in a physical condition to take over the next watch or in his opinion
unable to keep an efficient watch.
r) Whenever the Duty Officer experiences any event or occurrence which is unusual or extra‐
ordinary.
s) If any oil is noticed in the water or oil spill is noticed on deck.
t) Encounter of any hazard to navigation such as ice or derelict.
u) In the event of an emergency of any kind.

WARNING: Despite the instructions to call the Master stated above and any other specific instructions
contained in the Master’s Night Orders or standing Orders the OOW must not hesitate to
take actions necessary to ensure the safety of life, vessel, or the environment.

If in any circumstance, the time to collision / dangerous navigational occurrence is short, officer of watch
(OOW) shall assess the situation and initiate immediate action for the safety of the vessel. The OOW
must same time call the Master and/or draw his and other navigating officer’s attention by raising
BNWAS alarm / General alarm/PA announcement to get immediate assistance on Bridge.