ARAB ACADEMY FOR SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY & MARITIME TRANSPORT
COLLEGE OF MARITIME TRANSPORT & TECHNOLOGY
Watch keeping BS213 Week 10
Prepared By
Seamanship Team
Bridge teamwork procedures
EFFECTIVE BRIDGE ORGANISATION
An effective Bridge Team will manage efficiently all the
resources that are available and promote good
communication and teamwork.
This will allow the Bridge Team to plan and complete a
berth to berth passage, in full compliance with the
COLREGS an d the watch keeping requirements of the
International Convention (and Code) on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers
(STCW Convention),
and have the ability to anticipate dangerous situations
and respond to emergencies.
Bridge Team
The information which supports an effective bridge
organization should be included in the ship's Safety
Management System (SMS). This is a requirement of
the ISM Code and should take into account::
• Safe manning levels.
• Safe conduct of navigation.
• Compliance with MARPOL and minimizing
impact on the environment.
• Effective communication and Teamwork.
• Effective training and familiarization.
• Sound shipboard operational procedures.
• Robust and practiced emergency
responses.
Effective training and familiarization. Effective communication and Teamwork
Safe manning levels Safe conduct of navigation
BRIDGE RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AND THE BRIDGE TEAM
COMPOSITION OF THE BRIDGE TEAM
The Bridge Team should be sufficiently
resourced to meet the operational requirements of
the passage plan.
When considering the composition of the Bridge
Team and ensuring that the bridge is never left
unattended at sea, the Master should take into
account the following:
• Visibility, sea state and weather conditions.
• Traffic density.
Restricted visibility
Traffic density “Malacca straight”
• Activities occurring in the area in which the
ship is navigating.
• Navigation in or near traffic separation schemes or
other routing measures.
• Navigation in or near fixed and mobile installations.
• Ship operating requirements, activities and
anticipated maneuvers.
• Operational status of bridge equipment including
alarm systems.
• Whether manual or automatic steering is anticipated.
SHIP AUTOPILOT SHIP ALARM SYSTEM / FIRE
• Any demands on the navigational watch that may
arise as a result of exceptional circumstances.
• Any other relevant standard, procedure or guidelines
relating to watch keeping arrangements or the
activities of the vessel.
THE BRIDGE TEAM
At all times during sea passages, port approaches and
pilotage, the Bridge Team should continue to work
effectively to ensure the safety of the ship.
This will include liaison between different navigational
watches, the engine room and, as appropriate, other
departments.
All personnel who have bridge
navigational watch or advisory
duties will be part of the Bridge
Team.
The Master, other members of
the Bridge Team and the Pilot,
when embarked, should work
together and co-operate to
ensure the safe navigation of the
ship.
Video link click here
Lecture 16
THE BRIDGE TEAM AND THE MASTER
The Master has overall authority and remains
responsible for all decisions with respect to the
safe conduct of navigation and protection of the
environment. This should be clearly stated in the
SMS .
The Master should not be constrained by the
Company or charterer from taking any decision
which is necessary for the safety of navigation.
The Bridge Team should recognize and understand:
• The information that should be
routinely reported to the Master.
• The need to keep the Master fully
informed.
• The circumstances under which the
Master should be called.
When the Master is on the bridge, careful
consideration should be given to the
circumstances in which it may be
appropriate to take control from the
OOW.
There will often be benefit in the OOW
retaining control with the Master
providing oversight and guidance.
DUTIES WITHIN THE BRIDGE TEAM
The Bridge Team refers to all personnel with
bridge watch keeping or advisory Duties and
responsibilities should be clearly assigned by the
OOW who should ensure all members of the
Bridge Team understand the duties assigned to
them.
The following diagram illustrates an example of a
Bridge Team
DUTIES OF THE OFFICER OF THE WATCH
The primary duty of the OOW is to maintain a safe
navigational watch at sea or at anchor
watch require ensuring:
• Compliance with the Company's navigational
policies and requirements.
• Effective watch handovers.
• Management of the Bridge Team.
• Keeping a proper look-out.
• Familiarity with the bridge layout and equipment
• Familiarity with bridge procedures.
• Maintaining situational awareness.
• Surveillance of the ship.
• Execution of the passage plan.
• Navigation and control of the vessel.
• Collision avoidance in compliance with the
COLREGS.
• GMDSS watch keeping.
• Compliance with environmental requirements.
• Monitoring the performance of navigational
equipment.
• Recording bridge activities.
• Management of emergency
situations and Security
awareness.
EFFECTIVE WATCH HANDOVER
During any watch handover the following information
should be discussed and verified:
• The ship's current position and proximity to
navigational hazards.
• The intended track (including any amendments to the
passage plan), course and speed and engine controls as
appropriate.
• Machinery status with particular reference to defects
affecting maneuverability.
• Steering mode and equipment status with particular
reference to defects affecting maneuverability.
• The operational condition and alarm status of all
navigational and safety equipment being used or likely
to be used during the watch.
• Compass errors.
• The traffic situation including vessel reporting
requirements completed or due.
• Weather conditions, navigational and other hazards
likely to be encountered during the watch with
reference to Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
received.
• Condition of draught, heel/list and trim.
• Any shallow water effects, including squat.
• Any work in progress such as crew working on deck,
engine room maintenance and cargo, ballasting or
tank cleaning operations.
• Any special instructions, particularly amendments to
Bridge Orders.
