Watchkeeping
The STCW principles for bridge watchkeeping: when to leave the bridge, what to check at the start of a watch, and why fatigue remains the least recognised risk factor on board.
Operational Explanation
The navigational watch is the moment when responsibility for the ship's safety is concentrated on the officer of the watch (OOW): the STCW Code sets out general principles (never leave the bridge unattended, a structured handover, minimum rest) precisely because real operating conditions (traffic, weather, fatigue) vary too much for a single rigid procedure.
The least recognised risk, yet among the most frequent in navigational-incident investigations, is fatigue: an OOW who formally complies with the minimum rest periods required by STCW/MLC may still find themselves in a state of reduced alertness due to an accumulation of factors (sleep disturbance, stress, time-zone changes).
Regulatory Reference
STCW Code, Chapter VIII (Standards Regarding Watchkeeping), in particular Section A-VIII/1 on minimum rest periods (harmonised with the requirements of MLC 2006): a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period, with specific conditions on how rest periods may be divided.
Scope of Application
Every officer and rating engaged in navigational watchkeeping duty, on every ship subject to STCW.
Procedure / How to Complete It
- Check at the start of the watch the ship's position, planned course, present traffic and forecast weather/sea conditions.
- Carry out a structured handover with the officer going off watch, including any ongoing situations or anomalies noted.
- Maintain a constant lookout throughout the entire watch, never leaving the bridge unattended.
- Regularly verify the ship's position using more than one independent method, not relying on a single system.
- Comply with the minimum rest periods required by STCW/MLC before taking over the watch.
- Promptly report to the Master any condition of fatigue that could compromise the safety of the watch.
Practical Example
Example handover: "Watch from 04 to 08, course 270°, traffic: a merchant vessel 6 miles on the starboard bow with CPA to be monitored, good visibility, deterioration forecast after 06, emergency generator tested yesterday with no anomalies."
Real Cases
Common Mistakes Mistake Library
| Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| Bridge left unattended even for a few minutes in traffic or restricted-navigation conditions | Risk of collision or grounding not detected in time | Never leave the bridge unattended; request support if it is necessary to step away |
| Rushed handover, without communicating ongoing situations | The relieving officer loses information critical to the safety of the watch | Always structure the handover around a minimum checklist of items to communicate |
| Fatigue not reported for fear of appearing inadequate | Watch conducted in a state of reduced alertness, high risk | Promote a culture that encourages honest reporting of fatigue, without punitive consequences |
PSC Observations
Operational Tips
- Do not rely only on the formal duration of rest: pay attention to its real quality as well.
- Always structure the handover around the same minimum items, so as not to forget critical information.
- Promote a culture in which reporting one's own fatigue is seen as a responsibility, not a weakness.
Checklist
- STCW/MLC minimum rest periods complied with before the watch
- Structured, complete handover carried out
- Ship's position verified using more than one independent method
- Bridge never left unattended during the watch
- Conditions of fatigue reported promptly