When to call the master, and acting at once
1The lesson in plain words
STCW lists when the OOW must notify the master immediately. Calling never stops you acting: take the action safety needs while the master comes.
Navigation reasons
STCW A-VIII/2 says the OOW shall notify the master immediately: if restricted visibility is met or expected; if traffic or the movements of other ships cause concern; if it is hard to keep the course; on failure to sight land, a navigation mark or to obtain soundings (depth measurements) by the expected time; and if land, a mark or a change in soundings appears unexpectedly.
Ship and sea reasons
Also call the master: on breakdown of the engines, propulsion remote control, steering gear or any essential navigational equipment, alarm or indicator; if the radio equipment fails; in heavy weather, if in any doubt about weather damage; if the ship meets a hazard such as ice or a derelict, an abandoned vessel adrift; and in any other emergency or if in any doubt. The master's standing orders often add their own call points: follow the stricter.
Call, and act now
Call the master immediately when required. Take any urgent action for safety without waiting for the master to arrive. If time is short, act at once and have another bridge team member make the call if available. Tell the master what you have done.
Make a good call
Say what is happening, where, what you have done and what help you need. For example: 'Captain, we are two miles south of West Point. Visibility is one mile and falling. Two targets are ahead. I have slowed, started fog signals and called a lookout to the bridge. Please come to the bridge.' Log the call and action taken.
With a pilot on board
A pilot does not relieve the master or OOW of their duties for the ship's safety. Keep checking the position and movement. If you doubt the pilot's actions or intentions, ask the pilot to explain. If doubt remains, call the master at once and take whatever action is needed before the master arrives.
2Key data
- Source
- STCW Code A-VIII/2, Part 4-1, performing the navigational watch
- Catch-all
- Any other emergency, or if in any doubt
- While waiting
- Take immediate action for the ship's safety where needed
- Pilot on board
- Doubt remains after asking the pilot: call the master, act
3Key points
- 1
Call for restricted visibility, worrying traffic, steering trouble or a missing or surprise mark or sounding.
- 2
Call for breakdowns, radio failure, heavy-weather doubt, ice or derelicts, and any doubt.
- 3
Call immediately when required, and take urgent safety action without waiting for the master.
- 4
A pilot on board does not remove the OOW's duties.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Once you have called the master, wait for orders before altering course.
Right: STCW tells the OOW not to hesitate to take immediate action for the ship's safety, even after calling.
Wrong: Calling the master over something small shows you cannot cope.
Right: STCW lists 'if in any doubt' as a reason to call. Good masters want early calls.
5Practice case & exam keys
Your night orders say the headland light should be sighted by 0300, bearing about 020°. At 0310 there is still no light, the echo sounder shows 38 m where the chart gives about 60 m on your track, and visibility looks fine.
Show the answer
Call the master immediately: the expected light is missing and the depth is unexpectedly shallow. Check the ship's position independently and compare it with the passage plan. Take any immediate action needed to keep the ship safe while the master comes. Report and log what you find and what you do.
Exam keys
- Notify the master immediately for the listed events and in any doubt.
- The OOW still takes immediate action for safety.
- Pilot: ask, then call the master and act if doubt remains.
Finish this unit
When you've read it, match the terms, then answer three questions. Get them all right to finish the unit; opening the page alone doesn't count.
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