Qns: List the duties and responsibilities of a navigation watch-
keeper while vessel is navigating with Pilot on Board.
Ans:
Navigation with Pilot on Board:-
General Principles:
1. The presence of Pilot does not relieve the Master/Bridge team from
their duties and responsibilities for the safe conduct of the ship.
2. Master has the ultimate responsibility for the navigation of the
vessel.
3. OOW manages the bridge team and accountable to the Master for the
safe navigation of the vessel.
4. The Master and OOW shall closely co-operate with the pilot and
maintain an accurate check on the ship’s position and movement.
5. If in any doubt as the pilot’s action or intentions, the OOW shall seek
clarification from the pilot. If doubt still exists, shall notify the master
immediately and take whatever action necessary before the master
arrives.
6. Always allow the Pilot to settle down on bridge after reaching the
bridge.
7. Fill up and comply with Company’s checklist.
Specific duties:
A. Safety Familiarization of pilot. LSA provision e.g. lifejacket, location of
lifeboats, liferafts. Duties of the pilot during any emergencies like fire on
board.
B. Any smoking constraints laid down by SMS.
After the pilot has settled down on the bridge inform pilot about:
1. Master pilot exchange information to be carried out. Completed Pilot Card
to be handed over to pilot.
2. Hand over ship’s heading, speed, engine setting and draft.
3. Familiarize pilot of bridge equipment and communication systems
relevant to him.
4. Referred to Wheelhouse Poster for manoeuvering characteristics of the vessel.
5. Any malfunction of the equipment to be reported to Pilot.
6. Keep watch on VHF as required by pilot/port regulations.
7. Passage Planning:
a. Details of proposed passage plan to be discussed with the pilot and to be
agreed with the master e.g.
Route to be followed,
UKC,
air draft requirements,
radio communications and reporting requirements.
Abort points
Weather, currents, height of tide
traffic conditions to be encountered during the passage.
b. Confirm if sufficient depth of water available during the passage including
alongside berth.
c. Status of anchors, any changes to be carried out to the status of anchors
and if any person required as Stand by person on forward station.
d. Discuss about requirement of local regulation e.g. speed restrictions,
reporting requirements, hoisting of a flag, shapes, exhibition of
lights etc.
8. Vessel position is to be plotted as per passage plan.
9. Ensure pilot’s order to the helmsman are correctly understood, repeated
and executed by the helmsman.
12. UKC to be monitored by taking soundings on sounding equipment.
13. Monitor all the displays on bridge – tachometer, rudder angle indicator.
14. ROTI, anemometer etc. also displays for course steered and course made
good.
15. Call stations as per requirements.
16. Keep accurate record of all the happenings on the bridge.
Works related to berthing
16. How much notice required for calling the personnel for anchor stations.
17. Any anchor to be used for berthing.
18. Point at which tugs will be made fast. How many tugs will be used, their
location, number of ropes to be used, whether ship’s ropes or tug’s ropes.
19. Bollard pull of tugs and ship’s bollard SWL.
20. If mooring boats are available.
21. Configuration of ropes for berthing and sequence in which ropes will be
passed.
22. Check if any fenders will be required.
23. After berthing is over, make suitable arrangements for disembarkation of
the pilot.
24.Check and take tidal information from the pilot during stay in port.
