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Maintain a
Safe Navigational Watch
Keeping a Watch in Port
Watch
keeping in port
Principles
applying to all watch keeping
General
On any ship safely moored or safely at anchor under
normal circumstances in port, the master shall arrange for an appropriate and
effective watch to be maintained for the purpose of safety. Special
requirements may be necessary for special types of ships’ propulsion systems or
ancillary equipment and for ships carrying hazardous, dangerous, toxic or
highly flammable materials or other special types of cargo.
Watch
arrangements
Arrangements for keeping a deck watch when the ship is
in port shall at all times be adequate to:
.1 ensure the safety of life,
of the ship, the port and the environment, and the safe operation of all machinery
related to cargo operation;
.2 observe international, national and local rules;
and
.3 maintain order and the
normal routine of the ship.
The master shall decide the composition and duration
of the deck watch depending on the conditions of mooring, type of the ship and
character of duties.
If the master considers it necessary, a qualified
officer shall be in charge of the deck watch.
The necessary equipment shall be so arranged as to
provide for efficient watch keeping.
Taking over
the watch
Officers in charge of the deck or engineering watch
shall not hand over the watch to their relieving officer if they have any
reason to believe that the latter is obviously not capable of carrying out
watch keeping duties effectively, in which case the master or chief engineer
shall be notified accordingly. Relieving officers of the deck or engineering
watch shall ensure that all members of their watch are apparently fully capable
of performing their duties effectively.
If, at the moment of handing over the deck or
engineering watch, an important operation is being performed it shall be
concluded by the officer being relieved, except when ordered otherwise by the
master or chief engineer officer.
Taking over
the deck watch
Prior to taking over the deck watch, the relieving
officer shall be informed of the following by the officer in charge of the deck
watch as to:
.1 the depth of the water at the berth, the ship’s
draught, the level and time of high and low waters; the securing of the
moorings, the arrangement of anchors and the scope of the anchor chain, and
other mooring features important to the safety of the ship; the state of main
engines and their availability for emergency use;
.2 all work to be performed on board the ship; the
nature, amount and disposition of cargo loaded or remaining, and any residue on
board after unloading the ship;
.3 the level of water in
bilges and ballast tanks;
.4 the signals or lights
being exhibited or sounded;
.5 the number of crew members
required to be on board and the presence of any other persons on board;
.6 the state of fire-fighting
appliances;
.7 any special port
regulations;
.8 the master’s standing and
special orders;
.9 the lines of communication available between the
ship and shore personnel, including port authorities, in the event of an
emergency arising or assistance being required;
.10 any other circumstances of importance to the
safety of the ship, its crew, cargo or protection of the environment from
pollution; and
.11 the procedures for
notifying the appropriate authority of any environmental pollution resulting
from ship activities.
Relieving
officers, before assuming charge of the deck watch, shall verify that:
.1 the securing of moorings
and anchor chain are adequate;
.2 the appropriate signals or
lights are properly exhibited or sounded;
.3 safety measures and fire protection regulations are
being maintained;
.4 their awareness of the
nature of any hazardous or dangerous cargo being loaded or discharged and the
appropriate action to be taken in the event of any spillage or fire;
.5 no external conditions or
circumstances imperil the ship and that it does not imperil others.
Performing
the deck watch
The officer in charge of the deck watch shall:
.1 make rounds to inspect the
ship at appropriate intervals;
.2 pay particular attention
to:
.2.1 the condition and securing of the gangway, anchor
chain and moorings, especially at the turn of the tide and in berths with a
large rise and fall, if necessary, taking measures to ensure that they are in
normal working condition,
.2.2 the draught, under-keel clearance and the general
state of the ship, to avoid dangerous listing or trim during cargo handling or
ballasting,
.2.3 the weather and sea state,
.2.4 the observance of all regulations concerning
safety and fire protection,
.2.5 the water level in bilges and tanks,
.2.6 all persons on board and their location,
especially those in remote or enclosed spaces, and
.2.7 the exhibition and sounding, where appropriate,
of lights and signals;
.3 in bad weather, or on receiving a storm warning, take the necessary measures to protect the ship, persons on
board and cargo;
.4 take every precaution to
prevent pollution of the environment by the ship;
.5 in an emergency threatening the safety of the ship,
raise the alarm, inform the master, take all possible measures to prevent any
damage to the ship, its cargo and persons on board, and, if necessary, request
assistance from the shore authorities or neighbouring ships;
.6 be aware of the ship’s
stability condition so that, in the event of fire, the shore fire-fighting
authority may be advised of the approximate quantity of water that can be
pumped on board without endangering the ship;
.7 offer assistance to ships or persons in distress;
.8 take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or
damage when propellers are to be turned; and
.9 enter in the appropriate
log-book all important events affecting the ship.