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When considering the composition of the Bridge Team, the Master should take
into account:

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility
for the safety of the ship
Master - The ship owner's
representative, overall in command
and responsible of the ship and for
the performance of watchkeeping
officers and also the pilot.

 The "Master" controls the movement of the

OOW vessel in compliance with the Rules of the
Road and recommended traffic schemes
consistent with good seamanship practices.
 He regulates the course and speed, ensures
Look-Out Helmsman the safe navigation of the vessel, and
supervises the overall watch organization.
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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW Officer of the Watch (OOW) - Officer in charge

Responsible for managing the
Bridge Team and accountable
to the Master for safe
navigation of the ship
of a bridge navigational watch. The master's
representative at the bridge and responsible for
conning the ship during his watch . He is in
charge of the bridge and the bridge team for
that watch until relieved.

Look-Out Helmsman

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW
Responsible for managing the
Bridge Team and accountable
Officer of the Watch (OOW) - assists the master and
to the Master for safe
usually mans the radar. He establishes the vessel's
navigation of the ship
position and advises the conning officer of such position
and other information such as drift, existence of
navigation dangers, course and speed of other vessel in
the vicinity. He will monitor the execution of helm and
engine orders, coordinate all internal and external
communications, record all required entries in logbooks
and perform other duties as required the master.
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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW
Responsible for managing the
Bridge Team and accountable
to the Master for safe Extra Officer on the Bridge - Officer
navigation of the ship assisting the master and the OOW on the
bridge as required.

Look-Out Helmsman

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
• Under certain circumstances, the master may consider it necessary to have
the support of two navigating officers, one as OOW, the other as back-up or
radar observer. The master must clearly state the responsibilities of the two
officers. Supporting the master will indicate that the ship is in a very high-risk
situation such as:
• - Narrow margins of safety requiring very careful track maintenance such as
transiting channels and approaching traffic congested areas;
• - Reduced under-keel clearance like when vessel navigate in coastal and
shallow waters;
• - Heavy traffic (narrow channels and passages);
• - Heavy weather conditions (storms and very rough seas);
• - Poor visibility; or any combination of similar factors.
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approaching traffic congested areas

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Reduced under-keel clearance

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Heavy traffic

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Heavy weather conditions

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Poor visibility

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW
Responsible for managing the
Bridge Team and accountable Extra Officer on the Bridge - Officer
to the Master for safe assisting the master and the OOW on the
navigation of the ship bridge as required.
The additional officer's role is to provide the master
with radar-­based traffic information, assist in locating
buoys or landmarks as in the case of landfall and to
giving general backup to the OOW on the chart or
whatever tasks the master deems appropriate under
varying conditions (like assisting in communications,
internal coordination and other supportive roles). 18
 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW

Look-Out Helmsman

Helmsman - Deck rating assigned to keep a navigational

watch . Carries out helm orders from the conning officer.

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Master
Ultimate responsibility for the safety of the ship

OOW

Look-Out Helmsman

Lookout - Deck rating appointed by the master to observe

and report all relevant observations for safety of navigation.

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 BRIDGE TEAM COMPOSITION
Pilot - Usually a local expert hired to assist
in the safe navigation of a vessel in port or
restricted areas. He will temporarily join the
bridge team when he is on board and
advise accordingly.

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