Deck Officers Guide
to Bridge Procedures
Appendicies
Thank you for purchasing a copy of the "Deck Officers Guide to Bridge Procedures" by our Managing Director, Steve Monk.
If you haven't purchased a copy, please contact us as it's an ideal read for all deck officers.
Within this webpage you will find downloadable copies of the appendicies listed in the book.
Some are in Word format allowing you to amend as necessary for your vessel or Fleet.
If you would like to discuss any specifics of these, please do not hesitate to contact the author via the link below.
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Appendix 1
ECDIS Type familiarisation checklist
Within this appendix is a list of questions designed to assist newly joining officers in demonstrating competence and familiarisation with the ECDIS onboard. These are not intended to supersede any formal training conducted ashore or online or recommended by the equipment manufacturer. They are an aid to the Captain / Master if the OOW has arrived without a capability of demonstrating competence in the ECDIS.
It is advised the template is completed onboard for that particular ECDIS by a competent OOW. A copy is then passed to the new OOW to revise and subsequently demonstrate to the Captain.
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Appendix 2
Example Masters Standing Orders
This appendix provides the 'Word' version of the template Masters Standing Orders. As explained within the book, Captain's should amend orders to be a personal reflection of their requirements.
This annex hopes to steer the MSO's to user personal terms of 'I' and 'my' which should reflect the individual touch. Orders should be read carefully by OOW's to confirm they make sense and leave no ambiguity in understanding or definitions.
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Appendix 3
Example Flag Audit
Private Yachts Limited Charter
Downloadable from the link is an example of the Marshall Islands Report of Compliance Verification for Private Yachts Limited Charter.
It provides the bridge team with a steer in the particulars they can expect to be audited on by that Flag State. Others may alter their forms for Flag specific aspects, but each are likely to follow a similar layout and path.
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Appendix 4
Example Flag Audit
Commercial Yachts and Yachts engaged in trade
Similar to appendix 3 but as the title suggests, a different use of the vessel requires a different checklist.
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Appendix 5
Passage Planning Checklist
Many vessels and / or management companies already provide a template document for completion by the navigating officer to be submitted ashore prior to sailing.
The document downloadable in the below link can be used by vessels who do not have their own, or may be found to be more beneficial than current versions. We strongly advise on the inclusion of a route overview image taken from the ECDIS on the front page as this means more than a list of waypoints which no-one in an ashore office is likely to plot and check.
This guide also reminds the navigating officer of some specifics to check when passage planning.
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Appendix 6
Passage Planning Brief
Prior to sailing, it is strongly advised that all bridge watchkeepers are briefed on the passage.
The document downloadable from the below link is intended as a checklist of points which should be covered. Not all may be relevant to each trip or vessel, hence it can be amended as necessary.
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Appendix 7
Departure Checklist
Every vessel should have checklists to which they refer when planning to depart harbour or anchor. This document, downloadable from the button below, provides a template which can be amended to make vessel specific.
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Appendix 8
Arrival Checklist
What leaves harbour or anchor must also return! The checklist downloadable from the below button is a template amendable to make vessel specific.
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Appendix 9
Bridge Handover Checklist
Handovers between the Officers Of the Watch should include a minimum number of points ensuring the on-coming OOW is aware of as many factors affecting the vessel, both internally and externally.
The checklist, downloadable from the button below, forms a standardised format which when memorised in the acronym NOCWISS will reduce the likelihood of anything being missed.
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Appendix 10
Incident Reporting Template
In the event of an emergency to which a report needs to be passed ashore to management or the DPA, the template downloadable via the button below gives an example of the information to be given.
It cannot be assumed the OOW or lookout or perhaps even the Master will be capable of remembering all the key information at the start of an incident, so this template provides spaces into which to capture what should be passed. With a copy also held ashore, the gaps can quickly be completed when read out by the deck officer onboard. It can be amended to make more vessel or management company specific.
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Appendix 11
OOW Shipping report
When it is necessary for the OOW to make a shipping report to the Master, time can be saved and confidence given to the Master if the report follows the same format every time. Doing so enables the Master to build the picture in their mind particularly when not on the bridge or unable to see the radar and / or ECDIS picture.
As the OOW also states their reasoning for the actions they wish to take, it provides the Master with confidence the OOW understands the COLREGS and Masters Standing Orders.
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Appendix 12
Navigation in Restricted Visibility
A simple checklist which no doubt all vessels already carry but this is another template which can be downloaded and amended as necessary.
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Appendix 13
ECDIS User Profile templates (Transas)
The Wartsila (Transas) ECDIS allows profiles to be established which can be utilised to alter display characteristics through just a couple of clicks.
The template downloadable from the button below, was put together based on feedback from several clients. It is not a formal instruction from Wartsila or Da Gama Maritime and is only a starting point for vessels to consider setting on their ECDIS. This will reduce the time necessary to make numerous display changes when vessels move from pilotage to coastal to open waters.
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Appendix 14
Navigation Outfit Updates
As mentioned within the Deck Officers Guide to Bridge Procedures, it is necessary for all vessels to record when updates to the outfit are conducted. This can be anything from the weekly chart downloads, through to ADP's, AENP's and any other third party software or regulatory publications.
The document downloadable from the button below is a guide and template which can be amended by management or the vessel as something to capture the weekly updates. It quickly provides evidence for audits to show when updates were conducted and by whom.
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Appendix 15
Pilot boarding arrangements
Within this download is the latest version of the International Maritime Pilots' Association (IMPA) guidance for boarding operations on vessels.
The rules and regulations surrounding pilot embarking and disembarking have been tightened significantly in recent years and it is incumbent on all deck crew and officers to be aware of the necessary procedures to be in place.