Daily Routines
Hand over with Checklist for Changing over the watch. ( See Sample
Below)
Prioritize watch keeping duties above all else. The officer in charge
of the navigational watch shall not be assigned or undertake any duties
which would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship.
From time to time, read Bridge Standing orders posted on the Bridge
Prepare checklists that may be necessary during your watch or the next
watch.
Checklist for Navigation in Coastal Water and/or TSS
Checklist for Navigation in Ocean Water
Checklist for Navigation in Heavy Weather or In Tropical Strom
Areas
Checklist for Navigation in Restricted Visibility
Synchronize chronometer clock via DGPS or MF/HF and fill up
Chronometer Log
Fix Position as per passage plan
Take gyro compass error and record on Gyro Compass Error Log
Read MSI received from NAVTEX and Inmarsat C and same should
marked on chart when applicable. Update your records for cancelled
messages.
At the end of each watch fill up Official Log Book and Radar Log
Record inspections, drills or maintenance made during the day
Have a deep understanding of the operation of each bridge equipment
by reading their respective manuals.
Check new emails that may concern 3/O job such port documents &
circulars.
Update Work and Rest hours
Update Publications if assigned.
Daily test of GMDSS equipment (if assigned)
List down & plan things to work on after your duty. Remember that half
of 3rd Officer job is not on the bridge and you need to work overtime.
Make risk assessments if necessary for your next works or maintenance.
Make near miss reports when encountered.
Always have a transceiver switched on to maintain direct communication
with working crew.
Handing over the Watch (with remarks)
1. All relieving members are capable of carrying out their duties.
The OOW should not hand over the watch if there is any reason to
believe that the relieving officer is unfit to, or is temporarily unable to,
carry out his duties effectively. If in any doubt, the OOW should inform
the master
2. Sufficient time has been allowed for night vision to be established.
Allow at least 15 minutes. Set appropriate dimmers.
3. Master’s standing orders (Included Master’s bridge orders/Supplementary)
Check any special instructions given by the master
4. Deck & GMDSS log book up to date
5. Ship’s position, course & speed
6. Passage plan progress
7. Draft, air draft and UKC
8. Effect of heel, trim, water density and squat
9. Current traffic conditions
Identify traffic hazards that may be encountered in the next 4 or 5 hours.
Hazards may include but not limited to:
Slow vessels that may be overtaken
Caution areas where many vessels, fishing boats, roro &
passenger ships are crossing
Pilot stations where other vessels are proceeding.
narrow areas where vessels are expected to converge to that area
Fishing boats (groups) and their fishing buoys
Be aware of these hazards and take necessary steps in appropriate time
to keep the vessel safe. Never hesitate to deviate course, slow down or
speed up as necessary.
10. Maritime safety information (Weather, Navigational warnings, EGC msg & etc)
Check if there are information marked or noted by the previous watch
11. Status of navigation and bridge Equipment
AIS
Check for any displayed alarms
Auto Pilot / off course alarm
Check if heading is steered correctly by auto pilot. Test off course
alarm
BNWAS
Course Recorder
Check if printing in the correct zones, course and time.
ECDIS (See separate Checklist)
Check heading, position and speed.
Echo Sounder / Speed Log
Check appropriate display. Adjust gain when necessary
DGPS
Compare different DGPS if they are giving the same position.
Magnetic Compass
Check light and visibility of mirror. Check for excessive deviation
Navigational lights
Check for busted lights
RADAR and ARPA
Checked position course and speed. Adjust gain, sea, rain and
tuning appropriately. Check tracked targets, their CPA and TCPA
VDR
Check any displayed alarms
Wind Indicator /Anemometer
Observe sea state to have an idea where the wind is blowing and
compare observation to the wind indicator.
12. Status of GMDSS Equipment
EPIRB/SART – Inmarsat – VHF - MF/HF - NAVTEX receiver
Check transmission and reception of VHF by speaking on the
handset. Set appropriate watch channels for VHF and MF/HF.
Check Inmarstat and Navtex if configured to the correct NAVAREA.
13. Status of propulsion and steering equipment
1) Engine room watch condition – Know who is in duty during UMS at
night
2) Steering system & Hand steering tested – Test manual steering
and check Rudder angle indicator. Check how many and which
steering pumps are in use
3) Main engine & Generators – Check setting of engine telegraph and
how much RPM.
14. Status of watertight doors
15. Status of fire zones
Check if there are disabled, disconnected or isolated detectors. Reset
when relative work is done.
16. Water Ingress Detect Alarm, if fitted
Check if there are no alarms displayed.
17. Sound reception equipment (bridge is totally enclosed type), if fitted
18. Hazard(Gas) monitoring equipment, if fitted
19. Any special work in progress :
Sample Handing over the Watch Checklist
Vessel Name: Date:
00 04 08 12 16 20
Duty Hour
~0 ~0 ~1 ~1 ~2 ~2
Items
4h 8h 2h 6h 0h 4h
1. All relieving members are capable of carrying out their duties. □ □ □ □ □ □
2. Sufficient time has been allowed for night vision to be established. □ □ □ □ □ □
3. Master’s standing orders (Included Master’s bridge
orders/Supplementary)
□ □ □ □ □ □
4. Deck & GMDSS log book up to date □ □ □ □ □ □
5. Ship’s position, course & speed □ □ □ □ □ □
6. Passage plan progress □ □ □ □ □ □
7. Draft, air draft and UKC □ □ □ □ □ □
8. Effect of heel, trim, water density and squat □ □ □ □ □ □
9. Current traffic conditions □ □ □ □ □ □
10. Maritime safety information (Weather, Navigational warnings, EGC msg
& etc)
□ □ □ □ □ □
11. Status of navigation and bridge Equipment
1) AIS □ □ □ □ □ □
2) Autopilot / Off course alarm □ □ □ □ □ □
3) BNWAS □ □ □ □ □ □
4) Course and engine movement recorder □ □ □ □ □ □
5) ECDIS □ □ □ □ □ □
6) Echo sounder / Speed log □ □ □ □ □ □
7) GPS /DGPS □ □ □ □ □ □
8) Gyro and magnetic compass □ □ □ □ □ □
9) Navigation lights, shapes and signals □ □ □ □ □ □
10) Radar & ARPA □ □ □ □ □ □
11) VDR/S-VDR □ □ □ □ □ □
12. Status of GMDSS Equipment
1) EPIRB/SART □ □ □ □ □ □
2) Inmarsat □ □ □ □ □ □
3) VHF □ □ □ □ □ □
4) MF/HF □ □ □ □ □ □
5) Navtex receiver □ □ □ □ □ □
13. Status of propulsion and steering equipment
4) Engine room watch condition □ □ □ □ □ □
5) Steering system & Hand steering tested □ □ □ □ □ □
6) Main engine & Generators □ □ □ □ □ □
14. Status of watertight doors □ □ □ □ □ □
15. Status of fire zones □ □ □ □ □ □
16. Water Ingress Detect Alarm, if fitted □ □ □ □ □ □
17. Sound reception equipment (bridge is totally enclosed type), if fitted □ □ □ □ □ □
18. Hazard(Gas) monitoring equipment, if fitted □ □ □ □ □ □
19. Any special work in progress : □ □ □ □ □ □
20. Any other : □ □ □ □ □ □
