Handing over the watch, and watches at anchor and in port
1The lesson in plain words
Take over only when you are fit, your eyes have adjusted and you have the full picture. Never hand over in the middle of a manoeuvre.
Before you take over
Arrive early. At night, let your eyes adjust to the dark first. Read the standing and night orders. The STCW Code says the relieving officer checks: the position, course, speed and draught (depth of the keel below the waterline); the planned track; tides, currents, weather and visibility and their effect; dangers expected during the watch; compass errors; the status of bridge equipment and engine controls; navigation lights; and ships in sight or nearby. Ask until the picture is clear.
When not to hand over
Do not hand over while a manoeuvre or other action to avoid a hazard is in progress. Wait until that action is complete. Do not hand over if you believe the relieving officer is unfit for duty, for example tired, ill or affected by alcohol. In that case, notify the master. You stay responsible until the officer taking over says 'I have the watch' and both understand it.
At anchor
Fix and plot the position after anchoring. Check holding frequently using bearings, transits (aligned fixed marks), radar ranges and GNSS (satellite navigation) anchor alarms. Keep a proper look-out and arrange periodic ship inspection rounds without leaving the watch unattended. Watch weather, tide and sea state. Notify the master and act if the ship drags. Keep engines at the readiness ordered. Show the right lights and shapes and make sound signals. A radar guard zone cannot replace the look-out.
In port
The master arranges a watch suited to the berth and cargo; ships with hazardous cargo need extra care. As deck OOW, you make rounds, tend moorings and the gangway as tide and cargo change the ship's height, and watch the draught and under-keel clearance. You oversee cargo work against the plan, keep lights and signals right and respond to emergencies. Pollution prevention and access control under the security plan are also part of the watch.
Safety margins and team
Confirm your relieving team is fit and their night vision is ready. Check how draught, fore-and-aft trim, sideways heel, water density and squat (settling deeper while moving) affect under-keel clearance, the water beneath the keel. Know bridge engine-control procedures and limitations. Check the safety precautions already in force.
2Step by step
Taking over the navigational watch
- 1
Arrive early, fit and with night vision adjusted.
You cannot judge lights or targets with dazzled eyes or a tired mind.
- 2
Read and sign the standing orders and night orders.
The master's instructions for the watch are part of the picture.
- 3
Check position, course, speed, planned track and dangers ahead.
You must know where the ship is and where she is going.
- 4
Check traffic, weather, tide and current, and their effect.
These change course made good and the risk of collision.
- 5
Check equipment, compass errors, engine and steering status, and lights.
A hidden fault found at handover is a fault you can manage.
- 6
Take over with a clear 'I have the watch' only when no manoeuvre is under way.
Responsibility must change at one clear moment, never mid-action.
3Key points
- 1
The relief checks position, track, dangers, weather, traffic, equipment and errors before taking over.
- 2
No handover during a manoeuvre or avoiding action; defer it until complete.
- 3
Do not hand over to an officer you believe is unfit; notify the master.
- 4
At anchor: fix, check holding frequently, look-out, notify the master if dragging.
- 5
In port: rounds, moorings, gangway, draught, cargo plan, signals and security.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: The handover happens on the hour, whatever is going on.
Right: If a manoeuvre or avoiding action is in progress, the relief waits until it is complete.
Wrong: At anchor, a radar guard zone is enough to watch for dragging and traffic.
Right: Check bearings, transits and ranges frequently and keep a look-out. Guard zones miss small targets.
5Practice case & exam keys
It is 2358. You are about to hand over, and a fishing vessel is crossing close ahead. You have just ordered 'starboard twenty' to give way. The relieving officer is on the bridge, yawning and complaining he slept badly. What do you do?
Show the answer
Keep the watch. Finish the avoiding action and steady the ship before any handover. Then assess the relief: if you believe he is not fit, do not hand over; keep the watch and notify the master. If he is fit, brief him fully: position, track, traffic, the fishing vessel's movement and the orders. Hand over with a clear 'You have the watch' and an answer.
Exam keys
- Relief checks: position, course, speed, draught, track, tides, weather, visibility, dangers, compass errors, equipment, traffic.
- No handover while a manoeuvre or avoiding action is in progress.
- Unfit relief: do not hand over; notify the master.
- Anchor watch: fix, frequent checks of holding, look-out, readiness of engines, lights and signals.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, answer three questions. Get all three right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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