Watchkeeping on passenger ferries and cruise ships is very good, not
always the case on hard-pressed vessels engaged in the short sea tradeEXPERT ON BOARD
APRIL 2016 http://www.yachtingmonthly.com 23A yachtsman’s guide to shipping
on board, including the bridge
watchkeepers, don’t get the
rest they need to perform
their duties satisfactorily and,
over time, become very tired.
It is particularly prevalent in
the short sea trade. Ships are
supposed to have a dedicated
lookout at night in addition to
the OOW but, judging by the
findings in numerous marine
accident investigation reports and
declarations made in confidential
reporting schemes, they are often
absent from the bridge with
a consequent reduction in the
efficiency of the lookout.
Detecting a small craft from
the bridge of a merchant ship is
reasonably straightforward but
becomes progressively more
difficult in grey, murky conditions
with a sea running. Detecting the
relatively dim navigation lights of
a small craft at night and in good
visibility is reasonably assured,
but picking out a white masthead
light against a backdrop of
shore lights can be a challenge
as can detecting the stern light
of a small vessel in a rough sea.
Merchant ship watchkeepers
rely increasingly on their radars
and AIS for both detecting other
vessels and determining whether
risk of collision exists. Visual
correlation with such contacts
may be cursory.
Modern radars are far better at
detecting small craft than in days
gone by but are not infallible.
Enhancing one’s radar echo
with a proven radar reflector or,
better still, an active RTE (radar
target enhancer) is a sound
investment in a small craft, as is
the installation of Class B AIS. It
may also be worth checking that
all navigation lights comply with
the relevant regulations.Should you hail on VHF?
Whilst hesitant to recommend
that small craft should avoid
communication with a merchant
ship on VHF to determine the
other’s intentions, it should be
remembered that such calls
can add to the merchant ship’s
problems. Except when under way
in VTS (Vessel Traffic Services)
waters, there is every probabilitythat there is only one person on
the bridge and such a call can
be a distraction. A merchant
ship under way in VTS waters is
probably better placed to take a
call but it then becomes essential
that any exchange of navigation
or intention information is made
on the VHF Sector channel so that
everyone listening in, including
the VTS watch officer, knows
what is happening.
It goes without saying that
a sound understanding of the
Collision Regulations goes a long
way to ensuring the safety of allat sea. Of all the rules that might
vie for primacy – and there are
many – the one that most stands
out for the small boat sailor’s
interaction with other shipping
is the imperative of keeping a
good lookout at all times. And
the philosophy that should guide
their actions when in the vicinity
of large vessels is to avoid, where
possible, getting into situations
that might impede their progress
in narrow channels and coastal
waters. We share the seas with
others. Let’s enjoy their company
and return home safely. WYou’ll see them before they
see you, and you have better
manoeuvrability. Your safest
bet is to keep clearPHOTO: Dick DurHam/Ym