Course Syllabus
Module I:
Know and use regulations and systems for the safe movement of vessels
A full knowledge of the content and application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
IALA Buoyage System A: Direction of buoyage, recognition of marks from shape, colour, topmark and light. Takes the correct action on meeting marks
Know bridge watchkeeping procedures
(a) Procedures itemised in current national and international regulations and guidelines. Calling the Master when in doubt as to the position of the ship. Checks to navigation equipment
(b) Knows the principles of passage planning in sufficient depth to be able to safely follow a prepared passage plan:
(i) Knows information contained in a passage plan and factors affecting its execution
(ii) Monitors the progress of the vessel on a pre-planned track
(c) Understanding use of Logbook, Standard Order, Night Order.
(d) Circumstances to Call Master
Understand the procedures relating to communications with bridge and engine personnel
(a)Routine and emergency communication procedures with engine personnel: use of
telegraphs, bridge control systems
(b)Instruments relaying information
(c)Reasons for notice to the engine room of reductions in speed
Understand the basic principles of and demonstrate ability to apply effective bridge watchkeeping and teamwork procedure
(a) Bridge watchkeeping and teamwork
Communication Procedures
(a) Procedures relating to communications with bridge and engine personnel
Module II
- Know action to take if ice or icing is observed or suspected
(a) Signs indicating the proximity of ice
(b) Methods of avoiding or reducing ice accumulation
(c) Obligation to report ice and ice accretion
- Knowledge of anchors, cables and associated gear
(a) Types of anchor in common use on merchant vessels
(b) Parts of anchors, use of anchor buoy
(c) Spurling and hawsepipe
(d) Connection and marking of anchor cables. Chain lockers and connections
(e) Bitter end and slipping of cable
(f) Bow stoppers and other securing devices
(g) Importance of, and methods of ensuring watertight integrity
(h) The securing of anchors and cables for sea
(i) Lights, shapes and sound signals for vessels at anchor
Know the use of anchors sufficient to ensure that the OOW could undertake duties involved in coming to a single anchor
(a) Anchoring terminology
(b) Safe use of machinery used when anchoring
(c) Safety precautions to be observed when securing the vessel at anchor
(d) Preparations for anchoring with a single anchor
(e) Factors affecting the amount of cable to use
(f) Communications during anchoring operations
Knowledge of mooring terminology and the mooring systems of various ship types
(a) Head and stern ropes, breast ropes, towing springs, back springs
(b) Shore moorings. Firewires and slipwires
(c) Mooring bitts, fairleads, Panama leads and roller leads
(d) Communications and keeping moorings clear of thrusters and propellers
- Know the characteristics, safe handling and use of ropes used in mooring
(a) Safe use of natural fibre, man-made fibre, wire and combination ropes
(b) Correct use of knots, splices, bends, hitches and stoppers
(c) Procedures making fast to fixed terminals and jetties. Mooring to buoys, single point moorings and exposed location buoys
(d) Adjusting moorings when alongside. Warping along a quay
(e) Use of fenders and overboard discharge covers
(f) Securing the mooring area on departure
Module III
Emergency Procedures
1 Know the meaning and type of alarms fitted to bridge equipment, and know the action to take in the event of malfunction or failure of bridge equipment
(a) Calling the Master and complying with orders
(b) Communicating with others
(c) Safety of the vessel
(d) Action to take following alarm indicating failure of:
(i) Navigation lights
(ii) Navigation aids
(iii) Compasses
(iv) Autopilot and steering systems
(v) Bridge control or Engine Telegraph
- Know the contingency plans and action to take as OOW in the event of emergencies at sea or in port as applicable, including
(a) Main engine failure
(b) Steering gear failure
(c) Man overboard
(d) Fire
(e) Dragging anchor
(f) Imminent collision and collision
(g) Stranding and grounding
(h) Flooding
(i) Passenger and/or cargo emergencies
(j) Stability emergencies
(k) Parting of lines and tow ropes
(l) Piracy, terrorist activity, armed robbery and other security issues
(m) Abandon ship
- In each case the following is to be included in compliance with shipboard contingency plans, standing orders and company instructions and guidance:
(i) Precautions for the protection and safety of persons on board
(ii) Initial actions and response
(iii) Communications and signals required
(iv) Procedures to be followed
Respond to a distress signal at sea
- Recognise Distress, Urgency and Safety signals
(a) Annex IV International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. SOLAS, IAMSAR Manual. Annual Summary Admiralty Notice to Mariners-Notice No.4
(b) Ships in distress, Statutory Distress Signals, EPIRBs and SARTs
(c) Radio watch for and reception of distress signals
(d) Sunken submarine
(e) Aircraft casualties at sea
(f) RT Distress procedure
(g) Instructions to lookouts
- Know how to communicate with the distressed craft in accordance with International Regulations and procedures
(a) Action on receiving a distress signal
(b) Recording the distress message
(c) IAMSAR manual: communications
6.Know how to obtain information on the position and nature of the distress
(a) Components of the distress message
(b) Identification, position, nature and kind of assistance required. Other information
(c) Technique of homing on radio signals
- Know the further action required to comply with contingency planning and master's instructions
(a) IAMSAR manual: Action by assisting ships
(b) Immediate action. Proceeding to the area of distress
(c) On board preparation. Aircraft casualties at sea
(d) Follow a contingency plan
8.Know the general arrangements for search and rescue
(a) The Global Maritime Distress and Safety system
(b) In addition to ships, the assistance which may be given by authorities around the coast of the United Kingdom
(c) Ships' Position and reporting systems
9.Know and use the sources of phrases and codes to aid communication
(a) IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases
(b) International Code of Signals
(c) Current M Notices
- Send and receive signals in the "International Code of Signals”
(a) Send and receive signals in Morse code by light
(i) Receive twenty letters and numbers in a period of two minutes
(ii) Transmit letters and numbers
(iii) Morse signalling procedures
(b) The recognition of all code flags
(c) Single letter meanings of code flags
(d) Distress signals
(e) Use of the phonetic alphabet
(f) Encoding and decoding messages
(g) Procedures as defined in the International Code of Signals
(h) Records of signals are complete, accurate and comply with guidelines and procedures
- Know visual safety, urgency and distress signals
(a) Visual signals identified in the Annual Summary Admiralty Notice to Mariners and Annex IV of the Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
