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Chapter 46 - Bridge Watch Rating

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46.1 General requirements

The general requirements for a certificate as Bridge Watch Rating, are listed in section 171 of the Marine Personnel Regulations.

46.2 Validity of certificates

The certificate for a Bridge Watch Rating is valid as an additional person forming part of the deck watch, as required by the Marine Personnel Regulations.

Syllabus of Examination

46.3 General Seamanship (Examination Code: BWR)

  1. The written examination is of a three hours duration.
  2. The examination will be based upon:
Subject Knowledge required
Competence Steer the ship and comply with helm orders also in the English language
Use of magnetic and gyro-compasses The difference between a magnetic and gyro compass.
Helm orders Steering and complying with helm orders (training to include altering course and steadying of ship’s head by land marks and compass).
Change-over from magnetic pilot to hand steering and vice-versa Procedures for change-over from automatic to manual steering and vice versa, and hand, telemotor and electrical controls for steering gears; Emergency steering; How to change from bridge control to local control in the steering gear compartment.
Competence Keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing
Responsibilities of a look-out, including reporting the approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in degrees or points Keeping a look-out, with emphasis on:
Reporting in degrees or points sightings and sounds signals; Recognition of ship’s navigation lights and sounds signals, fixed and floating aides to navigation, and distress signals (both sight and sound).
Competence Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe watch
Shipboard terms and definitions Shipboard terms and ability to express oneself using nautical terminology; Understanding the names and functions of various parts of a ship (construction and equipment); Recognition and names of various types of vessels; Recognition and names of various types of rope; Making knots, hitches, bends and whippings; Different make-up of wire rope and an appreciation of its uses; Use of bulldog clips to join wire; Types of chains, shackles and slips; Types of windlasses; Joining shackles and markings of anchor cable; Signals required in anchor work ( bell and anchor ball or light); Markings on the hand lead and ability to cast correctly; Internal sounding of holds, tanks and bilges; Ability to read draft markings.
Use of appropriate internal communications and alarm system Operation of vessel’s internal communications systems.
Competence Steer the ship and comply with helm orders also in the English language
Ability to understand orders and to communicate with the officer of the watch in matters relevant to watch-keeping duties Understanding orders and being understood by the officer of the watch in matters relevant to
watchkeeping duties.
Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch Proper procedures when relieving or being relieved at the wheel; Under no circumstances will the look-out man leave his post, without being properly relieved; Proper procedures when relieving or being relieved at sea or at anchor; Proper procedures when relieving or being relieved in port.
Log book Maintaining a deck log book and engine movement book, and their purpose.
Information required to maintain a safe watch Knowledge of the information required to maintain a safe watch.
Basic environmental protection procedures Knowledge of the action to be taken in event of parted moorings, burst oil lines and tank overflow;
Precautions when taking on or transferring fuel, water or stores; Ability to maintain effective communications during loading and unloading operations with the officer in charge of the watch.
Safe working practices Potentially hazardous working conditions on board; recognition of worn out or dangerous equipment; Conditions that would lead to injury or loss of life; Safe working procedures.
Competence Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures
Knowledge of emergency duties and alarm signals General alarm and other signals used on board ship; Knowledge of emergency duties in case of fire and abandoning ship; Emergency duties in case of a man overboard; Location of Muster station; Emergency duties in case of an oil or chemical spillage; Emergency procedures in case of a man found unconscious in a tank; Ability to use all emergency equipment.
Knowledge of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite EPIRB’s and SART’s Knowledge of the different type of pyrotechnic distress signals and their use; Knowledge of the use of EPIRB’s, frequency, maintenance and life of batteries; Knowledge of the use of SART’S, frequency, maintenance and life of batteries; Avoidance of false distress alerts and action to be taken in event of accidental activation.

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Date modified:
2010-01-18