Bridge Procedures

Guide

Capt. B. K. Mohanty, COMMI, MNI

Dock Master
Jawaharlal Nehru Port.
 International Chamber of Shipping
Marine Safety
Ship Design &Construction
Pollution Prevention
Maritime Law

• ICS –Voluntary Organisation comprising of National shipowner

association representatives. Extablished 1921.
• ICS is concerned with all Technical, Legal, Employment affairs
and Policy issues that may affect international shipping.
• Cosultative status with several Inter Govt.Organisation and
industry,IMO
• ICS is the principal international trade association for the shipping
industry representing owners and operators.(IMO)
• ICS develops best practices and guidance including a wide range
of publication
 Bridge Procedure Guide
• Best Navigational practice on commercial ships
• Used as a reference publication by Masters,
Watch keeping officer, shipping companies,
Training institute, accident investigators.
• First and foremost, Masters and Officers in charge
of Navigational watch at sea.
• Extensive checklist for use by companies,
Masters, officers developing ship specific
checklist for bridge procedure.
1. EFFECTIVE BRIDGE ORGANISATION
2. PASSAGE PLANNING
3. DUTIES OF THE OFFICER OF THE WATCH
4. OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE OF BRIDGE
EQUIPMENT
5. PILOTAGE
6. ANNEXES
ANNEX 1.DYNAMIC POSITIONING
ANNEX 2.ECDIS CARRIAGE REQUIREMENTS
ANNEX 3. CHECKLISTS
 Effective Bridge Organisation
An effective Bridge Team:- will manage efficiently
all the resources that are available and promote
good communication and Team Work.

Safe Manning Levels

Safe Conduct Of Navigation
Compliance With MARPOL and Minimising impact on the
Environment
Effective communication and Teamwork
Effective Training and familiarisation
Sound Shipboard operational procedure
Robust and practised Emergency
 COMPOSITION OF THE BRIDGE TEAM
Bridge Team Sufficiently resourced to meet the operational
requirements of the passage plan. Master to take into account

 Visibility, Sea state,& Weather Condition

 Traffic density
 Activities occuring in the area in which ship is navigating
 Navigation in or near traffic separation or other routing measures
 Navigation in or near fixed or mobile installations
 Ship operating requirements ,activities and anticipated manoeuvres
 Operational Status of Bridge Equipments
 Whether Manual or Automatic steering is anticipated
 Any demands on the Navigational watch that may arise due to
exceptional circumstances
 Any other relevant standard, procedure or guidelines relating to
Watchkeeping
 DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

THE BRIDGE TEAM MASTER

OOW PILOT

LOOKOUT HELMSMAN

MOORING LINE OTHER

PORT
VTS TUGS BOATS HANDLERS PILOTS
CONTROL
 BRIDGE TEAM RESPONSIBILITIES
• MASTER : Ultimate Responsibility for the safety of the Ship.
• OOW: Responsible for Managing the Bridge Team and
accountable to the Master for the safe Navigation of the
Ship
• LOOK OUT: An all round lookout by sight and hearing,
reporting all sightings and/or sound signals to the
oow/Pilot
• HELMSMAN: Acknowledges and executes steering
instruction from the oow(or Pilot).Advises the oow of any
steering concerns.
• PILOT: Provides Expert advice and guidance to the Master
and the Bridge Team when navigating in Pilotage Water.
 PILOT’S RESPONSIBILITIES

 Use agreed Working Language( if reqd. IMO-SMCP)

 Understand the role and responsibilities of individual BT
members
 Use information provided in MASER-PILOT information
exchange(manoeuvring Characterstics)
 Respond to information, advice and question from Bridge
Team
 Advise the Bridge Team of any failures or Deficiencies
(Unavailability of tugs)
 Keep the Bridge Team appraised pilotage
progress.(Delay,need to deviate from the Pilotage Plan)
 Inform the Bridge Team of any handover between Pilots.
The Pilot and the Master should discuss and agree the
circumstance ,Pilot may directly operate of key equipments.
If any doubt then Master or OOW should control these system

In supporting the Pilot, the Master and Bridge Team

should:
 Ensure Pilot’s direction are conveyed to mooring
stn, tugs, mooring boats and linesmen
 Ensure the mooring station provide relevant
feedback
 Advise the Pilot once the directions have been
complied or omission or if potential problem
exists
 Effective Bridge organisation…..cont.

• NEW PERSONNEL AND FAMILIARISATION

• HOURS OF REST
• RECORD KEEPING AND SCHEDULES
• DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICIES
• USE OF ENGLISH
 COMPANY POLICY AND PROCEDURES
Under ISM code every company to have SMS- instructions
and procedures.
• Allocation of bridge watch keeping duties and responsibilites
• Procedure of passage planning and Navigation
• Updated Charts and publications
• ECDIS procedures (including charts and software update)
• Procedure to ensure that all Nav. Equipments, main & auxiliary are
available and operational
• Ship position reporting procedures
• Recording of relevant events and Voyager Data Recorder (VDR)
• Use of Bridge Navigational Watch Alarm System. Modes(Auto/on/off)
• Procedure for familiarisation and effective handover for crew change.
• Training and Drill Requirements
• Company contacts including Designated Persons Ashore.(DPA)
• Emergency Procedures
• Any other….. To the safe opertaion of the ship
 PASSAGE PLANNING
Purpose:- Develop a navigation Plan for safe conduct of
the ship from Berth to Berth. Plan for the passage
should identify a route which….
 Recognises hazards and assesses associated risks and decision
points
 Ensure sufficient sea room and depth of water
 Include appropriate position fixing oppertunities
 Complies with relevant reporting requirements and routeing
measures
 Takes account of anticipated Traffic and weather conditions
 Complies with all applicable environmental protection measures.
 THE FOUR STAGES TO ACHIEVE A SAFE PASSAGE PLAN
APPRAISAL
COLLECTING AND ASSESSING
ALL RELEVANT INFORMATION
REQUIRED FOR THE INTENDED
PASSAGE
MONITORING
CHECKING PROGRESS OF THE
SHIP AGAINST THE PASSAGE
PLAN
PLANNING
DEVLOPING AND APPROVING
A PASSAGE PLAN BASED ON
THE OUTCOME OF THE
APPRAISAL OF ALL RELEVANT
INFORMATION
EXECUTION
BRIEFING THE BRIDGE TEAM
ON THE PASSAGE PLAN.
NAVIGATING THE SHIP IN
ACCORDANCE WITH THE
PASSAGE PLAN
 APPRAISAL

NAVIGATION
GENERAL/OPERATIONAL

ENVIRONMENTAL

CONTINGENCY
 APPRAISAL (Navigation)

• Advise in Sailing Direction

• Availability of charts, Reliability of Hydrography Data
• Availability of sea room and Traffic density
• Communication including MSI and GMDSS
• Pilotage requirements
• Draught restriction air draft &ukc
• Position fixing requirements
• Reliability of propulsion/steering, Defects affecting control of
Navigation
• Route selection and way points
• Routeing and reporting measures
• Weather Routeing
 APPRAISAL(General/ Operation)
• Berth requirements
• Bridge Manning
• Bunker Calculation
• Cargo Consideration
• Commercial and Charter consideration
• Mooring and tug operation
• Port entry requirements
• Stress and stability
• Security and antipiracy measures
• Helicopter Operation
 Appraisal
ENVIRONMENTAL CONTINGENCY
• Ballast Water Management • Emergency Response Plans
• Emission Control Areas(ECA) • Notification and Reporting
• MARPOL Special Areas • Passage Plan amendments
• National or regional
requirements
• Particularly sensitive Sea Area
(PSSA)
• Port Reception Facilities
 PLANNING
• Passage Planning in Ocean waters
• Passage Planning in Coastal waters
• Passage Planning in Pilotage Waters
• Passage Planning using ECDIS
• Planning an Anchorage
• Finalising the passage Plan
• Passage Plan Briefing
• Maritime Safety Information (NAVAREA,Safety-
NET,WWNWS, weather routeing service) List of Radio sig. & WMO
• Ship’s Routeing
• Ship’s reporting Systems
• Vessel Traffic Services
 Executing & Monitoring the Passage Plan
DUTIES OF THE OFFICER OF THE WATCH :- Responsible at all times
for safe navigation in compliance with the COLREGS.
The Primary duty of oow is to maintain safe navigational watch at
sea or at anchor which will require ensuring…..
• Compliance with company SOP
• Effective Watch hand over
• Management of the Bridge Team
• Keeping proper lookout
• Familiarity with the bridge layout and equipments
• Familiarity with bridge procedure
• Maintaining situational awareness
• Execution of the passage plan
• Navigation and control of the vessel
• Collision avoidance in compliance with the COLREGS
• GMDSS watch keeping
 Duties of the Officer of the Watch……….………
CONT….

• Compliances with environmental requirements.

• Monitoring the Performance of Navigational Equipments.
• Recording Bridge activities
• Management of Emergency situation
• Security awareness
Duties of the Officer of the Watch

https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=vQjdZW6bFZc
Sole Look Out:- Under the STCW code , the Officer of the
Watch(OOW) may in certain circumstances, be the sole
look-out in daylight condition.
Master to consider the following:-
 The OOW is fit for duty( Rest,Drug & Alcohol)
 Weather condition
 Visibility
 Traffic Density
 Proximity of danger to Navigation
 Navigating near TSS
 Navigational Defects, propulsion & Steering
 The Ability of OOW to safely navigate with anticipated workload.
 The OOW is aware of the immediate back up and how fast ?

The OOW should not be the sole look out during hours of darkness
Calling the Master:- Concerns the safety of the ship, be done
early enough to allow the Master sufficient time to understand and
respond effectively to the situation. Failing to call in a timely manner
can lead to an increased level of risk in relation to.
Master should be called immediately if
the OOW has any doubt regarding
safety of Ship or how to deal effectively
with the situation.
• Collision
• Grounding
• Safety of Life
• Damage to the environment
• Vessel delays
• Cargo leaks or Spills
• Property Damage
• Commercial Losses
• Reputational losses due to delays or Damage
 Occasion To Call The Master:-

• Restricted visibility is encountered or expected

• Traffic condition, density or the movements of other ships are causing
concerns
• When a distress alert has been received or a distress signals has been
sighted
• If difficulties are experienced in maintaining course
• When there is significant difference between the Latest observed position
and the expected position of the ship
• On failure to sight land, navigation mark or obtain sounding by the
expected time
• If unexpectedly land or a navigation mark is sighted or an unexpected
change in the sounding occurs
• If amendment to the passage plan require immediate approval
• Breakdown of the engine, propulsion machinery remote control, steering
gear or any essential navigational equipment, alarm or indicator
 Cont…….
Calling The Master:-

• If the communications or GMDSS radio equipment malfunctions.

• In heavy weather, if any doubt about the possibility of weather
damage.
• If the ship meets any hazards to navigation, such as ice or a
derelict
• If any vessel security concerns arise
• If any Emergency situation
• In any cases when the situation is beyond the experience of the
OOW or if there is any doubt regarding the safety of the ship or
ability to comply with regulatory requirements
Operation and Maintenance of Bridge Equipment

The consequences of over reliance on automatic system

for Navigation and Collision avoidance may be severe and
include the risk of Collision, Grounding and Pollution.

Masters and watch keeping officers should be trained

and competent in the use of the ships navigational and
bridge equipment and be familiar with its operation
( B-3,Familiarisation with bridge equipment)
Familiarisation with Bridge Equipment:- Not limited to….

• Compass and Heading Device

• Radar and Radar plotting Aids
• Echo Sounder
• Speed and Distance Log
• GMDSS (Including Maritime Safety Information)
• Position fixing system
• General Bridge equipment( chrono, Master clock, stop watch, sextant,logbooks)
• Internal Communication
• Propulsion and steering
• Orders and Logs
• Passage Planning &Monitoring
• AIS
• Alarm Systems
• Voyage Recording
• Navigation Lights, Shapes and Signalling Equipments
• Emergency Equipments and Security ( Muster points, spare life jackets,mob,fire
detection and alarm pannels, emergency stop, emergency fire pumps)
 PILOTAGE
The Presence of a Pilot does not relieve the Master or the Bridge Team
from their duties and responsibilities for the safe conduct of the ship

Effective co-ordination between the Master other member of

the Bridge Team and the Pilot is a prerequisite for safe
Pilotage.
Efficient Pilotage will depend on :-
• Effective communication
• Accurate exchange of information, particularly on matters
relating to safety, helm and telegraph orders.
• Mutual Understanding of duties and responsibilities
• A complete awareness and understanding of the ship’s
systems, equipments and deficiencies which may affect
handling characteristics and manoeuvrability
Master-Pilot Information Exchange

• Pilot Card
• Passage Plan
• Docking Plan
• Emergency Plan
 Why are the Pilots engaged.........

• For their ability to anticipate accurately the effect of

currents and tidal influence.
• For their expertise in navigating on close proximity
to land and narrow channel.
• For their understanding of local traffic.
• For their ability to work effectively with the local
VTS.
 ..........Why are the Pilots engaged

• For their proficiency in ship handling.

• For their expertise in handling tugs &linemen.
• To support the Master and relieve fatigue.
• To provide an extra person on the bridge to
assist with navigating the ship.
THANK YOU
&
Bon Voyage