shippingposition
  • Home
  • News
  • Editorial
    • Vox Pop
  • Maritime safety
  • Oil and Gas
  • Personality
  • Health
No Result
View All Result
shippingposition

Home » SHIPTALK: Responsibilities of Deck Officer When Ship is At Anchorage

SHIPTALK: Responsibilities of Deck Officer When Ship is At Anchorage

by Joshua
October 25, 2023
in Maritime Education

The operation of a ship is a complex activity, especially when it is being carried out away from immediate help and at the mercy of nature. Optimum performance can therefore only be achieved by using the available workforce in an efficient manner.

The very core aspect of watchkeeping is to minimize any prospect of human error and thereby reduce risk of damage to the ship or cargo. More than often, the time at anchorage is considered to be a time to relax. However, depending on the area in which the vessel is operating in, the anchorage might be a time to be extra vigilant.

Seafarers who have been on a vessel anchored outside the Port of Calabar (Nigeria) can relate to the extent to which watchkeeping at anchorage is troublesome! Or anchorage at Singapore for that matter where traffic is abundant and where small errors might lead to full scale disasters.

At anchorage, it is solely up to the Master to decide whether the watch is to be kept on deck or on the bridge. As otherwise, the officer on watch (OOW) has to ensure that all measures are taken for safety of the vessel, its cargo and crew. Here are a few procedures for watchkeeping at anchorage:

1. Calculate the Swinging Circle Swinging Circle (M) = L.O.A + Length of Cable – UKC The swinging circle might vary with the changes in tidal levels and in weather. However, it is important to have a fair idea of the radius around which the ship might move about.

2. Follow the Master’s Standing Orders Every ship’s master writes their own standing orders based on the ship, the experience of its officers, the trade patterns which in turn determine the standing orders. These orders reflect the Master’s requirements based on past experiences with the ship and his contemporary workforce, therefore making it imperative that the orders are followed to prevent any anomaly or to maintain a set grade of performance. Clearly, the master puts faith in the officer when saying “Call me if in doubt” and expects the officer to do so if required and in ample time.

3. Keep a Check on your own Ship and other Ships in the Vicinity Keep a close watch on your ship and other ships in the vicinity lest they start dragging after anchoring. Dragging might occur due to changes in tidal levels, changes in weather or due to the brake giving away to a lot of yawing. The danger here is primarily to ensure that your own vessel does not drag and also to double check if there are other vessels drifting towards your vessel. Use the bow stopper when at anchor to minimize any probability of a blunder.

4. Keep a Constant Check on the Ship’s position. This point is generally laid down in the Master’s Standing Orders and almost always mentions the intervals at which the position must be plotted on the chart. Use the GPS or the Radar or both to determine the exact position of the ship, which, very obviously, helps to determine if the ship is stationery or dragging.

5. Display Appropriate Lights.  This enables other vessels to know that you are anchored, therefore making it evident that they should not anchor too close to your vessel and also give them an indication of proximity, if dragging occurs.

6. Keeping a Constant VHF watch.  If slated to receive a pilot onboard or for information on vessels in the area, it is very important to keep a constant VHF watch. The coast authorities generally promulgate extremely useful information that might be integral to the safety of the vessel. Wreckages, vessel information, ETA to pilot etc are necessary data that optimize operational procedures.

7.  Alert Nearby Vessels When Required. If another vessel seems to be coming close to your own vessel, get their attention on the VHF or by flashing the Aldis lamp. Use any available means at the time to bring to their attention regarding the grave nature of the situation and avert any danger that may be impending. Watchkeeping at anchorage might seem to be an easy task, for there is barely any movement. However, the very fact that the vessel is halted makes it vulnerable to a variety of dangers. As is done usually, the OOW must be vigilant at all times and use the assistance of additional look outs if necessary.

In areas prone to piracy, the importance of alertness cannot be stressed on more. The ship being stationery makes it open to attacks and pilferage. And very little can be left to the imagination in case the pirates attempt to board the vessel when it is anchored! Responsibility and diligence in the part of the OOW will keep the vessel safe and away from harm. That is to say that the OOW should basically just do what he does on an everyday basis and thereby keep the dynamics going.


Tags: AnchorageDeck Officer

Related Posts

Study Finds Suicide Accounts For More Deaths At Sea Than Fatal Injury Incidents

July 7, 2025
Seafaring Remains One Of The World’s Most Dangerous Professions–Report

Seafaring Remains One Of The World’s Most Dangerous Professions–Report

July 7, 2025
QUESTION OF THE WEEK:  Why is the Bay of Biscay Dangerous for Ships?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Why is the Bay of Biscay Dangerous for Ships?

July 7, 2025
QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who is the Ship Master?

QUESTION OF THE WEEK: Who is the Ship Master?

June 30, 2025

Latest News

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

NPA Bags NASS PAC Transparency Award

July 12, 2025

Nigeria Customs Says Claim Of Form ‘M’ Migration Charges False

CRFFN Showcases Reform Milestones, Dismisses Court Ruling Misinterpretation

NCMDLCA Faction Distances Self from Amiwero’s Court Action, Backs CRFFN on POF Collection

Customs Intercepts ₦9.2bn Worth of Fake Bedroom Booster, Others

Customs, NAFDAC Inaugurate Implementation Committee for 2024 MoU

Nigeria Customs Intercepts Container with Over 10,000 Donkey Genitals

Senate Hails Adeniyi’s Election as WCO Council Chair, Says It’s  a Major Win for Nigeria’s Global Trade Leadership

Oyetola Launches Door-to-Door’ Diplomacy for Nigeria’s IMO Council Bid

FG Urged To Link Warri-Itakpe Rail To Inland Ports, Road Networks

Red Sea Operation Rescues 4 More From Cargo Ship Sunk By Houthis

Shippers’ Council Set to Establish Border Information Centre at Idiroko, Bolster Trade Efficiency

kindly like our Facebook page

Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert
Health

Contraceptive Pills Can’t Cause Cervical Cancer – Expert

June 30, 2025

Mrs Roseline Akinlabi, Adolescent and Youth Sexual Reproductive Health Desk Officer, Osun Primary Healthcare Board, says contraceptive pills cannot cause...

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

KNOW YOUR BODY PARTS: The Liver

June 16, 2025
ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

ONIONS: The Good Old Healing Vegetable

June 16, 2025
Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

Why Prostate Disorder Cases Are Increasing Among Nigerian Men – Experts

June 1, 2025
20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

20m Nigerians Live With Mental Health Issues, Says WHO

June 1, 2025
Health Facts You Didn’t Know

How Your Habit Affects Fertility

May 19, 2025
Fruits For Raining Season

Fruits For Raining Season

May 19, 2025
See Mental Illness Like Other Treatable Diseases – Says Suicide Survivor

Health Facts You Didn’t Know

May 19, 2025
Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

Alligator Pepper: Benefits, FAQ, Side Effects, & Warning

April 28, 2025
Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

Water And Health: The Relationship That Helps Life

April 28, 2025

© 2021 Shippingposition

Navigate Site

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Terms

Follow Us

No Result
View All Result
  • News
  • Coast To Coast
  • Oil and Gas
  • Maritime Education
  • The Terminals
  • Maritime safety

© 2021 Shippingposition