COLLEGE OF MARITIME EDUCATION

COMPRE - DECK
 Part I
BASIC PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED
IN KEEPING A NAVIGATIONAL
WATCH
PART 1
BASIC PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN KEEPING A
NAVIGATIONAL WATCH

• Parties shall direct the attention of ship owners, ship operators, masters and
watchkeeping personnel to the following principles which shall be observed to
ensure that a safe navigational watch is maintained at all times.

• The master of every ship is bound to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements

are adequate for maintaining a safe navigational watch. Under the master’s
general direction, the officers of the watch are responsible for navigating the
ship safely during their periods of duty when they will be particularly concerned
with avoiding collision and stranding.
The basic principles, including but not limited to the
following, shall be taken into account on all ships:

• Watch arrangements
• Fitness for duty
• Navigation
• Navigational equipment
• Navigational duties and responsibilities
• Look-out
• Navigation with pilot embarked
• Protection of the marine environment
Watch arrangements
• The composition of the watch shall at all times be adequate and appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions and shall take into account the need for maintaining a proper
lookout.

• When deciding the composition of the watch on the bridge which may include appropriate deck
ratings, the following factors, among other things, shall be taken into account:
• at no time shall the bridge be left unattended;
• weather conditions, visibility and whether there is daylight or darkness;
• proximity of navigational hazards which may make it necessary for the officer in charge of the watch to
carry out additional navigational duties;
• use and operational condition of navigational aids such as radar or electronic position-indicating devices
and any other equipment affecting the safe navigation of the ship;
• whether the ship is fitted with automatic steering;
• any unusual demands on the navigational watch that may arise as a result of special operational
circumstances.
Fitness for duty
• The watch system shall be such that the efficiency of watchkeeping officers
and watchkeeping ratings is not impaired by fatigue.

• Duties shall be so organized that the first watch at the commencement of a

voyage and the subsequent relieving watches are sufficiently rested and
otherwise fit for duty.
Navigation
• The intended voyage shall be planned in advance taking into consideration all pertinent
information and any course laid down shall be checked before the voyage commences.

• During the watch the course steered, position and speed shall be checked at sufficiently frequent
intervals, using any available navigational aids necessary, to ensure that the ship follows the
planned course.

• The officer of the watch shall have full knowledge of the location and operation of all safety and
navigational equipment on board the ship and shall be aware and take account of the operating
limitations of such equipment.

• The officer in charge of a navigational watch shall not be assigned or undertake any duties which
would interfere with the safe navigation of the ship.
Navigational equipment
• The officer of the watch shall make the most effective use of all navigational equipment at his/her
disposal.

• When using radar, the officer of the watch shall bear in mind the necessity to comply at all times
with the provisions on the use of radar contained in the applicable regulations for preventing
collisions at sea.

• In cases of need the officer of the watch shall not hesitate to use the helm, engines and sound
signalling apparatus.
Navigational duties and responsibilities
• The officer in charge of the watch shall:
• keep his/her watch on the bridge which he/she shall in no circumstances leave until properly relieved;
• continue to be responsible for the safe navigation of the ship, despite the presence of the master on the bridge, until
the master informs him specifically that he/she has assumed that responsibility and this is mutually understood;
• notify the master when in any doubt as to what action to take in the interest of safety;
• not hand over the watch to the relieving officer if he/she has reason to believe that the latter is obviously not
capable of carrying out his/her duties effectively, in which case he/she shall notify the master accordingly.

• On taking over the watch the relieving officer shall satisfy himself as to the ship’s estimated or true position
and confirm its intended track, course and speed and shall note any dangers to navigation expected to be
encountered during his/her watch.

• A proper record shall be kept of the movements and activities during the watch relating to the navigation of
the ship.
Look-out
• In addition to maintaining a proper look-out for the purpose of
fully appraising the situation and the risk of collision, stranding
and other dangers to navigation, the duties of the look-out
shall include the detection of ships or aircraft in distress,
shipwrecked persons, wrecks and debris.
Look-out (continued)
• In maintaining a look-out the following shall be observed:
• the look-out must be able to give full attention to the keeping of a proper
lookout and no other duties shall be undertaken or assigned which could
interfere with that task;
• the duties of the look-out and helmsman are separate and the helmsman shall
not be considered to be the lookout while steering, except in small ships where
an unobstructed all-round view is provided at the steering position and there is
no impairment of night vision or other impediment to the keeping of a proper
look-out. The officer in charge of the watch may be the sole look-out in daylight
provided that on each such occasion:
• the situation has been carefully assessed and it has been established without doubt
that it is safe to do so;
• full account has been take of all relevant factors including, but not limited to:
• state of weather
• visibility
• traffic density
• proximity of danger to navigation the attention necessary when navigating in or near
traffic separation schemes;
• assistance is immediately available to be summoned to the bridge when any change
in the situation so requires.
Navigation with pilot embarked
• Despite the duties and obligations of a pilot, his/her presence on board
does not relieve the master or officer in charge of the watch from their
duties and obligations for the safety of the ship.

• The master and the pilot shall exchange information regarding navigation
procedures, local conditions and the ship’s characteristics.

• The master and officer of the watch shall co-operate closely with the pilot
and maintain an accurate check of the ship’s position and movement.
Protection of the marine environment

• The master and officer in charge of the watch shall be aware of the serious
effects of operational or accidental pollution of the marine environment and shall
take all possible precautions to prevent such pollution, particularly within the
framework of relevant international and port regulations.
 Part II
RECOMMENDATION ON
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR
OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF A
NAVIGATIONAL WATCH
PART II
RECOMMENDATION ON OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR OFFICERS IN
CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH

• This Recommendation contains operational guidance of general

application for officers in charge of a navigational watch, which
masters are expected to supplement as appropriate.

• It is essential that officers of the watch appreciate that the efficient

performance of their duties is necessary in the interests of the safety
of life and property at sea and the prevention of pollution of the
marine environment.
GENERAL
• The officer of the watch is the master’s representative and his/her primary
responsibility at all times is the safe navigation of the ship. He/she should at all
times comply with the applicable regulations for preventing collisions at sea.

• It is of special importance that at all times the officer of the watch ensures that an
efficient look-out is maintained. In a ship with a separate chart room the officer of
the watch may visit the chart room, when essential, for a short period for the
necessary performance of his/her navigational duties, but he/she should previously
satisfy himself that it is safe to do so and ensure that an efficient look-out is
maintained.

• The officer of the watch should bear in mind that the engines are at his/her disposal
and he/she should not hesitate to use them in case of need. However, timely notice
of intended variations of engine speed should be given where possible. He/she
should also know the handling characteristics of his/her ship, including its stopping
distance, and should appreciate that other ships may have different handling
characteristics.

• The officer of the watch should also bear in mind that the sound signalling
apparatus is at his/her disposal and he/she should not hesitate to use it in
accordance with the applicable regulations for preventing collisions at sea.
TAKING OVER THE
NAVIGATIONAL WATCH
• The relieving officer of the watch should ensure that members of his/her watch are
fully capable of performing their duties, particularly as regards their adjustment to
night vision.

• The relieving officer should not take over the watch until his/her vision is fully
adjusted to the light conditions and he/she has personally satisfied himself regarding:
• standing orders and other special instructions of the master relating to navigation of the
ship;
• position, course, speed and draught of the ship;
• prevailing and predicted tides, currents, weather, visibility and the effect of these factors
upon course and speed;
• navigational situation, including but not limited to the following:
• operational condition of all navigational and safety equipment being used or likely to be used
during the watch;
• errors of gyro and magnetic compasses;
• presence and movement of ships in sight or known to be in the vicinity;
• conditions and hazards likely to be encountered during his/her watch;
• possible effects of heel, trim, water density and squat on under-keel clearance.

• If at the time the officer of the watch is to be relieved a manoeuvre or other action to
avoid any hazard is taking place, the relief of the officer should be deferred until such
action has been completed.
PERIODIC CHECKS OF NAVIGATIONAL
EQUIPMENT
• Operational tests of shipboard navigational equipment should be carried out at sea as frequently
as practicable and as circumstances permit, in particular when hazardous conditions affecting
navigation are expected; where appropriate these tests should be recorded.

• The officer of the watch should make regular checks to ensure that:
• the helmsman or the automatic pilot is steering the correct course;
• the standard compass error is determined at least once a watch and, when possible, after any major
alteration of course; the standard and gyrocompasses are frequently compared and repeaters are
synchronized with their master compass;
• the automatic pilot is tested manually at least once a watch;
• the navigation and signal lights and other navigational equipment are functioning properly.
AUTOMATIC PILOT
• The officer of the watch should bear in mind the necessity to comply at all times with the
requirements of the Steering Appliances and Equipment Regulations on the use of the automatic
pilot.

• He should take into account the need to station the helmsman and to put the steering into
manual control in good time to allow any potentially hazardous situation to be dealt with in a safe
manner.

• With a ship under automatic steering it is highly dangerous to allow a situation to develop to the
point where the officer of the watch is without assistance and has to break the continuity of the
lookout in order to take emergency action.

• The change-over from automatic to manual steering and vice-versa should be made by, or under
the supervision of, a responsible officer.
AUTOMATIC PILOT
Note for STVs
• Trainees can be thought of as “automatic pilots”:
• they need to be checked on frequently;
• they can not be counted on to take the required action (or
any action) to avoid a potentially hazardous situation;
• An officer of the watch should always make sure there is
another officer around to take over from the trainee if
emergency action is required.
ELECTRONIC NAVIGATIONAL AIDS
• The officer of the watch should be thoroughly familiar with the
use of electronic navigational aids carried, including their
capabilities and limitations.

• The echo-sounder is a valuable navigational aid and should be

used whenever appropriate.
RADAR
• The officer of the watch should use the radar when appropriate and whenever restricted
visibility is encountered or expected, and at all times in congested waters having due
regard to its limitations.

• Whenever radar is in use, the officer of the watch should select an appropriate range
scale, observe the display carefully and plot effectively.

• The officer of the watch should ensure that range scales employed are changed at
sufficiently frequent intervals so that echoes are detected as early as possible.

• It should be borne in mind that small or poor echoes may escape detection.

• The officer of the watch should ensure that plotting or systematic analysis is commenced
in ample time.

• In clear weather, whenever possible, the officer of the watch should carry out radar
practice.
NAVIGATION IN COASTAL WATERS

• The largest scale chart on board, suitable for the area and corrected with the
latest available information, should be used.

• Fixes should be taken at frequent intervals; whenever circumstances allow, fixing

should be carried out by more than one method.

• The officer of the watch should positively identify all relevant navigation marks.
CLEAR WATER

• The officer of the watch should take frequent and accurate compass bearings of
approaching ships as a means of early detection of risk of collision; such risk may
sometimes exist even when an appreciable bearing change is evident, particularly
when approaching a very large ship or a tow or when approaching a ship at close
range.

• He should also take early and positive action in compliance with the applicable
regulations for preventing collisions at sea and subsequently check that such
action is having the desired effect.
RESTRICTED VISIBILITY

• When restricted visibility is encountered or expected, the first responsibility of the officer of the
watch is to comply with the relevant rules of the applicable regulations for preventing collisions at
sea, with particular regard to the sounding of fog signals, proceeding at a safe speed and having
the engines ready for immediate manoeuvres. In addition, he/she should:
• inform the master;
• post a proper look-out and helmsman and, in congested waters, revert to hand steering immediately;
• exhibit navigation lights;
• operate and use the radar.

• It is important that the officer of the watch should know the handling characteristics of his/her
ship, including its stopping distance, and should appreciate that other ships may have different
handling characteristics.
CALLING THE MASTER
• The officer of the watch should notify the master immediately in the following circumstances:
• if restricted visibility is encountered or expected;
• if the traffic conditions or the movements of other ships are causing concern;
• if difficulty is experienced in maintaining course;
• on failure to sight land, a navigation mark or to obtain soundings by the expected time;
• if, unexpectedly, land or a navigation mark is sighted or change in soundings occur;
• on the breakdown of the engines, steering gear or any essential navigational equipment;
• 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 derelicts;
• in any other emergency or situation in which he/she is in any doubt.

• Despite the requirement to notify the master immediately in the foregoing circumstances, the officer of the
watch should in addition not hesitate to take immediate action for the safety of the ship, where
circumstances so require.
NAVIGATION WITH PILOT EMBARKED

• If the officer of the watch is in any doubt as to the pilot’s actions or intentions,
he/she should seek clarification from the pilot; if doubt still exists, he/she should
notify the master immediately and take whatever action is necessary before the
master arrives.
WATCHKEEPING PERSONNEL
• The officer of the watch should give watchkeeping personnel all appropriate
instructions and information which will ensure the keeping of a safe watch
including an appropriate look-out.
SHIP AT ANCHOR
• If the master considers it necessary, a continuous navigational watch should
be maintained at anchor.

• In all circumstances, while at anchor, the officer of the watch should:

• determine and plot the ship’s position on the appropriate chart as soon as
practicable; when circumstances permit, check at sufficiently frequent intervals
whether the ship is remaining securely at anchor by taking bearings of fixed
navigation marks or readily identifiable shore objects;
• ensure that an efficient look-out is maintained;
• ensure that inspection rounds of the ship are made periodically;
• observe meteorological and tidal conditions and the state of the sea;
• notify the master and undertake all necessary measures if the ship drags
anchor;
• ensure that the state of readiness of the main engines and other machinery is
in accordance with the master’s instructions;
• if visibility deteriorates, notify the master and comply with the applicable
regulations for preventing collisions at sea;
• ensure that the ship exhibits the appropriate lights and shapes and that
appropriate sound signals are made at all times, as required;
• take measures to protect the environment from pollution by the ship and
comply with applicable pollution regulations.
 Part III
BASIC PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED
IN KEEPING A WATCH IN PORT
PART III
BASIC PRINCIPLES TO BE OBSERVED IN KEEPING A
WATCH IN PORT

• On any ship safely moored or safely at anchor under normal circumstances in

port, the master shall arrange for an appropriate and effective watch to be
maintained for the purpose of safety.

• In organizing the watches note shall be taken of the provisions of the

“Recommendation on Principles and Operational Guidance for Deck Officers in
Charge of a Watch in Port” (Part IV) and the “Standard for Engineering
Watchkeeping on Ships”, TP4071, 1983, adopted from the International
Conference on Training and Certification of Seafarers, 1978.
 Part IV
RECOMMENDATION ON PRINCIPLES
AND OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR
DECK OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF A WATCH
IN PORT
PART IV
RECOMMENDATION ON PRINCIPLES AND
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE FOR DECK
OFFICERS IN CHARGE OF A WATCH IN PORT
• This Recommendation applies to a ship safely moored or safely at anchor
under normal circumstances in port.

• For ships at an exposed anchorage reference should be made to the

additional precautions contained in Part I - “Basic Principles to be Observed
in Keeping a Navigational Watch” and in Part II - “Recommendation on
Operational Guidance for Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch”.

• Special requirements may be necessary for special types of ships or cargo.

• The following principles and operational guidance should be taken into

account by shipowners, ship operators, masters and watchkeeping officers.
WATCH ARRANGEMENTS
• Arrangements for keeping a watch when the ship is in port should:
• ensure the safety of life, ship, cargo and port;
• observe international, national and local rules;
• maintain order and the normal routine of the ship.

• The ship’s master should decide the composition and duration of the watch depending on the
conditions of mooring, type of the ship and character of duties.

• A qualified deck officer should be in charge of the watch, except in ships under 500 gross register
tons not carrying dangerous cargo, in which case the master may appoint whoever has
appropriate qualifications to keep the watch in port.

• The necessary equipment should be so arranged as to provide for efficient watchkeeping.

TAKING OVER THE WATCH
• The officer of the watch should not hand over the watch to the relieving officer if
he/she has any reason to believe that the latter is obviously not capable of carrying
out his/her duties effectively, in which case he/she should notify the master
accordingly.

• The relieving officer should be informed of the following by the officer being relieved:
• the depth of water at the berth, ship’s draught, the level and time of high and low waters;
fastening of the moorings, arrangement of anchors and the slip of the chain, and other
features of mooring important for the safety of the ship; state of main engines and
availability for emergency use;
• all work to be performed on board the ship; the nature, amount and disposition of cargo
loaded or remaining, or any residue on board after unloading the ship;
• the level of water in bilges and ballast tanks;
• the signals or lights being exhibited;
• the number of crew members required to be on board and the presence of any other
persons on board;
• the state of fire-fighting appliances;
• any special port regulations;
• the master’s standing and special orders;
• the lines of communication that are available between the ship and the dock staff or port
authorities in the event of an emergency arising or assistance being required;
• other circumstances of importance to the safety of the ship and protection of the
environment from pollution.
TAKING OVER THE WATCH

• The relieving officer should satisfy himself that:

• fastenings of moorings or anchor chain are adequate;
• the appropriate signals or lights are properly hoisted and exhibited;
• safety measures and fire protection regulations are being maintained;
• he is aware of the nature of any hazardous or dangerous cargo being loaded or discharged and the
appropriate action in the event of any spillage or fire;
• no external conditions or circumstances imperil the ship and that his/her own ship does not imperil
others.

• If, at the moment of handing over the watch, an important operation is being performed it should
be concluded by the officer being relieved, except when ordered otherwise by the master.
KEEPING A WATCH
• The officer of the watch should:
• make rounds to inspect the ship at appropriate intervals;
• pay particular attention to:
• the condition and fastening of the gangway, anchor chain or moorings, especially at the turn of
the tide or in berths with a large rise and fall and, if necessary, take measures to ensure that
they are in normal working condition;
• the draught, underkeel clearance and the state of the ship to avoid dangerous listing or trim
during cargo handling or ballasting;
• the state of the weather and sea;
• observance of all regulations concerning safety precautions and fire protection;
• water level in bilges and tanks;
• all persons on board and their location, especially those in remote or enclosed spaces;
• the exhibition of any signals or lights;
• in bad weather, or on receiving a storm warning, take the necessary measures to protect
the ship, personnel and cargo;
• take every precaution to prevent pollution of the environment by his/her own ship;
• in an emergency threatening the safety of the ship, raise the alarm, inform the master,
take all possible measures to prevent any damage to the ship and, if necessary, request
assistance from the shore authorities or neighbouring ships;
• be aware of the state of stability so that, in the event of fire, the shore fire-fighting
authority may be advised of the approximate quantity of water that can be pumped on
board without endangering the ship;
• offer assistance to ships or persons in distress;
• take necessary precautions to prevent accidents or damage when propellers are to be
turned;
• enter in the appropriate log-book all important events affecting the ship.
 Part V
RECOMMENDATION ON BASIC GUIDELINES
AND OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE RELATING TO
SAFETY
RADIO WATCHKEEPING FOR
RADIOTELEPHONE OPERATORS
PART V
RECOMMENDATION ON BASIC GUIDELINES AND
OPERATIONAL GUIDANCE RELATING TO SAFETY
RADIO WATCHKEEPING FOR RADIOTELEPHONE
OPERATORS

• Governments should direct the attention of shipowners, ship operators,

masters and radio watchkeeping personnel to the following guidelines and
operational guidance which should be complied with to ensure that an
adequate safety radio watch is maintained while a ship is at sea.
• In taking account of the guidelines given in this Recommendation, the
Radio Regulations annexed to the International Telecommunication
Convention, the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea and
any other relevant international agreements should be complied with.
• No provision of this Recommendation in any way amends or alters any
provisions contained in the Radio Regulations or Safety Convention and, in
the event of any conflict, the Radio Regulations and Safety Convention
prevail.
• In addition, this Recommendation is not intended to preclude in any way
future development of the maritime safety system.
GENERAL
• Before the commencement of the voyage, the radiotelephone operator should ensure that:
• all radio equipment for which the radiotelephone operator is responsible is in an efficient working
condition and accumulator batteries are sufficiently charged;
• all documents and supplements required by international agreements, notices to ship radio stations and
additional documents required by the controlling Administration are available and discrepancies are
reported to the master;
• the radio room clock is accurate;
• antenna are correctly positioned, undamaged and properly connected.

• The radiotelephone operator should ensure that all relevant documents are corrected and
amended in accordance with the latest supplements
WATCHKEEPING DUTIES
• Immediately prior to sailing from a port, the radiotelephone operator should, where practicable, update
routine weather and navigational warning messages for the area the ship will be traversing.

• On sailing from a port and opening the station, the radiotelephone operator should:
• listen on the appropriate distress frequency for a possible existing distress situation;
• send a TR (name, position and destination, etc.) to the local coast station and other appropriate coast stations
from which traffic may be expected;
• copy weather forecasts and navigational warnings on the first relevant transmissions.

• When the station is open, the radiotelephone operator should:

• check the radio clock against standard time signals at least once a day;
• send a TR when entering the area of a coast station from which traffic might be expected; the coast station
concerned should be informed on leaving its service area.

• When closing the station on arrival at a port, the radiotelephone operator should:
• advise the local coast station and other coast stations with which contact has been maintained of the ship’s
arrival and closing of the station;
• ensure that antennae are earthed;
• check that accumulator batteries are sufficiently charged.

TR = Traffic Routing Call

ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF
DISTRESS
• The distress call should have absolute priority over all other transmissions. All Stations which
hear it should immediately cease any transmissions capable of interfering with distress traffic.

• In cases of distress affecting own ship, the radiotelephone operator should:

• obtain from the bridge the ship’s actual or estimated position or, if not available, use the last known
position or the true bearing and distance from a fixed geographical position; when using the last
known position, time of such position should be stated in UTC;
• normally transmit on 2182 kHz, and, when appropriate, on 156.8 Mhz using the radiotelephone
distress procedure in accordance with the Radio Regulations; the distress call and message should be
sent only on the authority of the master or person responsible for the ship; other suitable
international distress frequencies (or other frequencies), if necessary, may be used in accordance with
the Radio Regulations;
• transmit, whenever possible, the alarm signal as any ship in the vicinity keeping watch by means of a
filtered loudspeaker or alarm receiver will not hear a spoken message unless first alerted by reception
of the alarm signal; send the radiotelephone alarm signal, when generated by automatic means,
continuously for a period of at least 30 seconds, but not exceeding one minute; when generated by
other means, send the signal as continuously as practicable over a period of approximately one
minute;
• repeat at intervals, especially during silence periods, the distress message, preceded by the alarm
signal whenever possible, and the distress call, until an answer is received;
• if no answer is received to a distress message sent on a distress frequency, repeat the message on any
other available frequency on which attention might be attracted;
• use any means in order to attract attention;
• pass to the master all distress communications immediately on receipt.
● ● ● — — —  ● ● ●
ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF DISTRESS
(continued)
• The distress call should have absolute priority over all other transmissions. All
Stations which hear it should immediately cease any transmissions capable of
interfering with distress traffic.
• In cases of distress affecting other ships, the radiotelephone operator should:
• copy the message and pass it to the master;
• at the same time, if possible, ensure that a direction finder bearing is obtained; if the
bearing if relative, the ship’s heading should also be noted;
• if beyond any doubt, his/her ship is in the vicinity of the distress, immediately
acknowledge receipt; in areas where reliable communications with coast stations are
practicable, defer acknowledgement for a short interval so that a coast station may
acknowledge receipt;
• if, beyond any doubt, his/her ship is not in the vicinity of the distress, allow a short
interval of time to elapse before acknowledging receipt of the message to permit nearer
stations to acknowledge receipt without interference;
• not acknowledge receipt:
• when his/her ship is a long distance away from the distress and not in a position to render
assistance, except when a distress message is heard which has not been acknowledged;
• of a distress message transmitted by a coast station until the master has confirmed that the
ship is in a position to render assistance;
ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF DISTRESS
(continued)
• In cases of distress affecting other ships, the radiotelephone operator should:
• transmit a distress message using the appropriate transmitter on full power, whenever possible preceded by the
alarm signal, using the “Mayday Relay” procedures on 2182 kHz or 156.8 Mhz, as appropriate, or on any other
frequency which may be used in case of distress and take all other steps, as if it were own ship in distress, to notify
authorities who may be able to render assistance when:
• it has been learned that a ship in distress is not itself in a position to transmit a distress message; or
• the master considers that further help is necessary; or
• an emergency position-indicating radio beacon signal has been received while no distress or urgency traffic is being passed;
• on the order of the master, transmit as soon as possible own ship’s name, position, speed and estimated time of
arrival at the distress position and, if the position of the ship in distress appears doubtful, the direction finder
bearing;
• record and pass to the master other acknowledgements, positions and times of arrival and other relevant distress
traffic;
• if control of distress traffic is taken over by a coast station or a ship more favourably placed to assist the one in
distress, normally work with that control station.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF URGENCY

• In cases of urgency affecting own ship, the radiotelephone operator should:

• using the radiotelephone urgency procedure, send, only on the authority of the master, the urgency signal and
message on 2182 kHz and, when appropriate, on 156.8 Mhz or on any other frequency which may be used in case of
distress; in the case of a long message, or a medical call, or when repeating the message in areas of heavy traffic,
transmit the message on a working frequency; in such cases, include in the call details of the frequency on which the
urgency message will be transmitted;
• if the urgency message concerns the loss of a person or persons overboard, be permitted to precede the call by the
alarm signal, only when the assistance of other ships is required and cannot be satisfactorily obtained by the use of
the urgency signal;
• if the message is addressed to a particular station, establish contact with that station before transferring to a working
frequency;
• if the message is addressed to all stations, allow a reasonable period before repeating the call and transmitting the
message;
• when an urgency addressed to all stations is ended and action is no longer necessary, send a message of cancellation
on the relevant frequency addressed to all stations.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF URGENCY
(continued)

• In cases of urgency affecting other ships, the radiotelephone operator should:

• as the urgency signal has priority over all other communications, except distress, take
care not to interfere with it or the transmission of the message that follows the urgency
signal;
• copy the message and pass it to the master;
• continue to listen for at least three minutes; at the end of that period, if no urgency
message has been heard, notify a coast station, if possible, of the receipt of the urgency
signal; thereafter resume normal working;
• if the urgency signal is addressed to a particular station, be permitted to continue
working on frequencies other than that in use for the transmission of the urgency signal
or urgency message; if required, in the clearance of the urgency message to the
addressee, for example by re-transmission.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN IN CASES OF SAFETY
• When a safety message is to be transmitted, the radiotelephone operator should:
• send the safety signal towards the end of the first available silence period and call on
2182 kHz and, when appropriate, 156.8 Mhz or on any other frequency which may be
used in case of distress;
• immediately after the end of the silence period, send the safety message which follows
the call on a working frequency, making a suitable announcement to this effect at the
end of the call;
• transmit safety calls and messages, which contain important meteorological and
navigational warnings as soon as possible and repeat them at the end of the first silence
period that follows.

• On hearing the safety signal, the radiotelephone operator should:

• not interfere with the signal or message;
• copy the message and pass it to the master;
• give every assistance in disseminating, as necessary, such messages when addressed to
“all ships” and re-transmit to the addressee messages of a more limited nature, if so
requested.
Log-keeping
• The radiotelephone log should be kept in compliance with the requirements of
the Radio Regulations and the Safety Convention.

• The radiotelephone log should be kept at the place where listening watch is
maintained and should be available for inspection by authorized officials of the
Administration; the times of all entries should be recorded in UTC (Local time in
Great Lakes Basin).

• The radiotelephone log should at all times be available for inspection by the
master and the radiotelephone operator should call his/her attention to any entry
important to safety.
Maintenance
• The radiotelephone operator should:
• test accumulator batteries and, if necessary, bring them up
to a sufficiently charged condition;
• inspect the protection against antenna breakage and
ensure proper fitting and condition;
• inspect antenna for snagging or weakening and take any
necessary remedial action;
• inspect insulators in whistle lanyards, triatics and stays,
clean regularly and, where possible, replace damaged
items;
• inspect weekly the condition of portable radio apparatus
for survival craft.