Chapter VIII – Part 3 of The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) provides instruction and guidance for watchkeeping at sea. It stipulates the circumstances when an OOW must call the master. The International Camber of Shipping Bridge Procedures Guide (BPG) also supplements and supports the requirements to contact the Master as contained in the STCW convention. The BPG provides a useful checklist of the circumstances (available to download below).
As an OOW should never hesitate to call the master, if you’re thinking ‘should I tell them about this’ the answer is always yes. Remember you are his representative and any good Master would rather be called unnecessarily 100 times than not be called and miss something of importance. STCW and BPG lists the following circumstances as reasons to immediately call the Master.
- If restricted visibility is encountered or expected
- If traffic conditions or the movements of other ships are causing concern
- If difficulties are experienced in maintaining course
- On failure to sight land, a navigation mark or obtain soundings by the expected time
- If, unexpectedly, land or a navigation mark is sighted or a change in soundings occurs
- Of breakdown of the engines, propulsion machinery remote control, steering gear or any essential navigational equipment, alarm or indicator
- If the radio equipment malfunctions
- In heavy weather, if in any doubt about the possibility of weather damage
- If the ship meets any hazard to navigation, such as ice or a derelict
- If any vessel security concerns arise
- In any other emergency or if in any doubt
BPG – Call the Master Checklist
