#Task deck officer how to

#Task deck officer how to

Related Reading: How to handle a ship in congested waters? Use the GPS or the Radar or both to determine the exact position of the ship, which, very obviously, helps to determine if the ship is stationary or dragging. This point is generally laid down in the Master’s Standing Orders and almost always mentions the intervals at which the position must be plotted on the chart. Keep a Constant Check on the Ship’s position. Use the bow stopper when at anchor to minimize any probability of a blunder.Ĥ. The danger here is primarily to ensure that your own vessel does not drag and also to double-check if there are other vessels drifting towards your vessel. Dragging might occur due to changes in tidal levels, changes in weather or due to the brake giving away to a lot of yawing. Keep a close watch on your ship and other ships in the vicinity lest they start dragging after anchoring. Keep a Check on your own Ship and other Ships in the Vicinity Clearly, the master puts faith in the officer when saying “Call me if in doubt” and expects the officer to do so if required and in ample time.ģ. These orders reflect the Master’s requirements based on past experiences with the ship and his contemporary workforce, therefore making it imperative that the orders are followed to prevent any anomaly or to maintain a set grade of performance. However, it is important to have a fair idea of the radius around which the ship might move about.Įvery ship’s master writes their own standing orders based on the ship, the experience of its officers, the trade patterns which in turn determine the standing orders. The swinging circle might vary with the changes in tidal levels and in the weather. Swinging Circle (M) = L.O.A + Length of Cable – UKC Here are a few procedures for watchkeeping at the anchorage:

Related Reading: Responsibilities of Deck Officer During Anchoring operation

As otherwise, the officer on watch (OOW) has to ensure that all measures are taken for the safety of the vessel, its cargo and crew. Seafarers who have been on a vessel anchored outside the Port of Calabar (Nigeria) can relate to the extent to which watchkeeping at anchorage is troublesome, or anchorage at Singapore for that matter where traffic is abundant and where small errors might lead to full-scale disasters.Īt anchorage, it is solely up to the Master to decide whether the watch is to be kept on a deck or on the bridge. However, depending on the area in which the vessel is operating in, the anchorage might be a time to be extra vigilant. More than often, the time at anchorage is considered to be a time to relax. The very core aspect of watchkeeping is to minimize any prospect of human error and thereby reduce the risk of damage to the ship or cargo. Optimum performance can therefore only be achieved by using the available workforce in an efficient manner. The operation of a ship is a complex activity, especially when it is being carried out away from immediate help and at the mercy of nature.