Guiding Principles

  1. Ensure situational awareness at all times, do not allow distractions to cause you to lose situational awareness.
  2. Keep a proper lookout at all times. Additional lookout as required.
  3. Bridge Manning Levels appropriate to navigational risks and passage plan.
  4. Position fixing interval and method.
  5. Change of Watch effectiveness.
    Tech Bulletin No.20: Distractions on the Bridge
  6. Clarify expectations - Master’s Standing Orders / Night Orders shall be clear on the Master’s and company expectations with regards to when the Master is to be called.
  7. Familiarise with equipment and vessel – robust bridge familiarization process for onsigners, verified by the Master.
  8. Ensure seaworthiness before the start of every voyage - Charts and nautical publications fully up to date, Certificates of Competency and Flag Endorsements valid and held onboard, Berth to berth passage plan, reviewed and approved by the Master, Arrangements established to receive Nav Warnings relevant to the intended voyage.
    SQE Marine Checklist: Navigation in Ocean Waters
  9. Conduct pre-voyage and post-voyage meetings and share improvement areas with the company to enhance wider learning.
    MCA MGN315(M): Keeping a Safe Navigational Watch on Merchant Vessels
  10. Implement training programme to ensure deck officers trained on ECDIS relevant to the intended vessel of employment
    Webinar: Practical Aspects of Passage Planning and Bridge Resource Management 1/2 (Discussion)
  11. Conduct simulator-based Bridge Resource Management and Crew Resource Management (HELM) refresher training.
    Webinar: Practical Aspects of Passage Planning and Bridge Resource Management 2/2 (Q&A)
  12. Include critical courses such as COLREGS, Passage Planning and Chart Correction (incl ECDIS) within the Competence Management System.
    Webinar: Bridge Watchkeeping
  13. Conduct Sailing (Live) Navigation audits by Company Superintendent (former deck officer).
    Ask An Expert: Passage Planning on ECDIS with Vincent Fernandes
  14. Utilise Remote VDR Auditing opportunities.
    Lessons Learnt: Collision with a Fishing Vessel
  15. Implement competence assurance measures for new entrant deck officers – knowledge based and skills based – such as online / simulator assessment.
    Lessons Learnt: Collision When Overtaking
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