Task analysis

What is the general role of the officer of watch?

Under the general direction of the master of the ship, the OOW is responsible for navigating the ship
safely during the periods of duty. He is particularly concerned to avoid collision and stranding.

The main tasks concluded in the bridge of the ship are

Navigation
Watch keeping
Look-out

Navigation
Bridge: A bridge (navigation deck) is the area for where the vessel is navigated and controlled.

From the bridge, which constist the highest dect of the superstructures the ship is nonna1ly navigated,
and from there all activities on deck can be seen and controlled by the Captain or Officer of the Watch. In
addition to the steering wheel or steering controls, the ship's main magnetic compass and a repeater from
the gyroscopic compass are normally situated on the bridge. It also houses a chart table, radar scanners
and a rich array of modem navigating and communication equipment. The type and layout of the
wheelhouse and the navigation deck, as well as
bridge wings, varies according to ship types and to the changes in modem technology in shipbuilding and
navigation.

How is the bridge arranged spatially

Wheelhouse: The enclosed area of the bridge.

The wheelhouse equipment of a modem ship normally encompasses the main

bridge console with the plotting aids (ARPA, i.e. Automatic Radar Plotting Aid),
path finder radars (3 cm x-band radar and 10 cm s-band relative motion radar). A
number of position fixing and communicational aids may be fitted within the
main console, or separately such as satcom and satellite back-up radio-station,
navtex receiver, RD finder, satnav with gyro and log interfaces, Loran-C receiver,
Decca navigator, etc. The equipment also includes weather facsimile receivers,
autopilot, gyro compass with repeaters, depth sounders, speed logs, sonar, etc.
Radio-equipment is used for safety and commercial messages, and for ship-toshore

communications. It includes VHF radio telephone and radiotelegraph, MF

transmitter, coastal radio-equipment, watchkeeping receiver (auto alarm).
Monitoring of machinery, ship's anchors, steering and cargo gear is made from a
separate machinery (engine) control room or from an engine control console in
the wheelhouse. The system of monitoring includes engine controls, rudder angle
indicator/repeater, how thruster controls, wing controls etc. The wheelhouse can
also control the cargo, ballast and loading/discharge system on board.

Navigation and maneuvering workstation: The workstation from where the vessels speed and course are
considered and controlled.

Monitoring workstation: The workstation where formal monitoring activities are performed.

Communications Workstation: Workstation for operation and control of the equipment for distress/safety
communications and public correspondence communications.

Conning Position: Place on the bridge with a commanding view that is used by navigators when
commanding, maneuvering and controlling a vessels movements.

Catwalk: Extension to a deck that is wide enough to allow the passage of a person.

Chartroom Area: Part of the wheelhouse situated and equipped for adequate performance of voyage
planning/plotting activities.
Front windows: The windows that allow a forward view over the bow, from which a person seated at the
workstations can monitor, navigate and maneuver
Bridge functions and responsibilities

The task requirements connected to the navigation bridge extend beyond those directly related to navigating,
watch keeping and lookout. The main responsibilities are grouped in the following categories.

Navigation, Piloting, Vessel control Administration

Collision avoidance/Traffic surveillance Port entry

Lookout Planning (watch schedules/hours of rest)
Position fixing Crew assessment-fitness
Surveillance (sea state, tides, currents etc) In-port inspections
Communications (Internal/External) Weather service/reporting
Maintain trim and ballast Log keeping
Signals and lights Oceanographic reporting
Voyage planning Ships meetings
Weather monitoring Finance/payroll
Tug interface Stores logistics and loading
Maneuvering in congested waters Personnel issues (STWC)
Voyage track keeping
Berthing/unberthing
Performing functions related to engine room
Area surveillance (visual/auditory)
Bridge maintenance Control of propulsion systems
Hull performance/Station keeping Steering Gear
Helm control/conning Monitoring electrical system
Fire main control
Awareness of maintenance activities
Fire suppression activation
Vital systems Bilge monitoring and management
Propulsion Pollution monitoring and control
Hull
Schedules/equipment availability Miscellaneous/Special operations
Calibrations (GPS, etc)
Extreme weather and seas
Interfacing with deck operations Flooding/ballast control
Collision/grounding/stranding
Anchoring Internal and vessel security
Bunkering, storing Search and rescue man overboard
Pilot embarkation/debarkation Structural maintenance
Tug and towing operations Loss of propulsion/steering
Line handling and maintenance Fuel Spills/Environment Hazards
Cargo management Bridge-Housekeeping
 Navigation and maneuvering workstation: The
workstation from where the vessels speed and course
are considered and controlled.
Monitoring workstation: The workstation where formal monitoring activities are performed.

Conning Position: Place on the bridge with a commanding view that is used by navigators when
commanding, maneuvering and controlling a vessels movements.

Catwalk: Extension to a deck that is wide enough to allow the passage of a person.

Manual steering: the steering

wheel, although its almost always
placed on autopilot.

Chartroom Area: Part of the wheelhouse

situated and equipped for adequate
performance of voyage planning and plotting
activities.

Communications Workstation: Workstation for

operation and control of the equipment for
distress/safety communications and public
correspondence communications.