The document outlines the duties and responsibilities of the Officer of the Watch (OOW) while at sea and in harbor. The OOW is accountable to the Commanding Officer and has authority over all other crew members regarding duties. Key responsibilities include ensuring the safety of the ship, crew, and equipment by monitoring for emergencies like fire, flooding, collisions, and storms. The OOW must also oversee the ship's appearance, discipline, stores embarkation, gangway security, and ship's boats. The OOW reports directly to the Master and assumes these duties and responsibilities when taking over the watch.

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DUTY OFFICERDUTY OFFICER
A brief By Lance GrindleyA brief By Lance Grindley

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PURPOSEPURPOSE

“The primary purpose of the OOW at
sea and in harbour is to ensure, as the
Commanding Officer’s representative, the
safety of the ship in all its respects…..”


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ACCOUNTABILITYACCOUNTABILITY
• Accountable in all instances to the Commanding Officer.

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AUTHORITYAUTHORITY
• “Every Officer and other person,
not being either the Commanding Officer
or the Commanding Officer for the time
being or the Chief Officer, is subordinate
to the OOW, whatever may be his rank, in
regard to the performance of the duties
with which the OOW is charged”.
•

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RESPONSIBILITIESRESPONSIBILITIES
• Safety of the ship.
• Safety of the ship’s company.
• Protection of equipment.
• Appearance of the ship and her boats.
• Orderly conduct and discipline.
• Embarkation of stores.
• Supervision of gangway.

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SAFETY OF THE SHIPSAFETY OF THE SHIP
• Emergencies.
• Duty Watch, Fire and Emergency Response.
• Common Factors:
• Fire.
• Flood.
• Collision.
• Storm and tide.

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SAFETY OF THE SHIPSAFETY OF THE SHIP
• Collision.
– Don’t think it can’t happen alongside.
– Warning dependent on vigilance of U/Deck personnel.
– Initial pipe “Standby for collision”……..
– Emergency Clear Lower Deck.

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SAFETY OF THE SHIPSAFETY OF THE SHIP
• Storm and Tide.
– Wx Forecasts - Signal, Port Authorities, TV.
– Ropes and Wires - Length of stay, Tidal stream and
range, ship’s programme, Dockyard wires.
– U/Deck Security.
– Notice for Sea.

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SAFETY OF SHIP’S COMPANYSAFETY OF SHIP’S COMPANY
• Men working over the side:
• U/Deck work
• Divers - Flag Alpha.
• Permit to Work:
• Correct equipment.
• Risk Assessment and Permit procedure.
• Correctly briefed (Tool Box talks)

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EQUIPMENTEQUIPMENT
• Minimise ship movement.
• Security of the Gangway.
• Secure flags, stanchions, boats and
ladders.
• Security of equipment on jetty (especially
abroad).

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APPEARANCE OF SHIPAPPEARANCE OF SHIP
• Regular jetty walks;
– Start forward, work aft; - Check:
– Flags, halyards, Irish pennants, boats, ropes, rat
guards, overboard discharges, gangway, Etc
• Does the state of the equipment match the
requirements.

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DISCIPLINEDISCIPLINE
• Use your watchkeepers
• Call for support early.
• Don’t put yourself in the firing line
(especially if alcohol involved).

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STORES EMBARKATIONSTORES EMBARKATION
• Deck Cargo.
• Liaise with Port, Operations and Stevedores.
• Clarify your requirements.
• Wet & Dry Bulks.
• Liaise with Port Operations and Surveyors.
• Check Lists, Tools box talks.
• Stores.
• Whole ship event (Manpower).
• Ensure jetty is clear.

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GANGWAYGANGWAY
• C/O is usually supervising officer.
• Ship’s gangway log.
• Ships and Port facilities security level.
• Tidal Information.
• Other Ships berthed inboard or outboard

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SHIP’S BOATSSHIP’S BOATS
• Security.
• Sending boats away.
• Briefing.
• Communications.
• Appearance of boats.

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REPORTS TO MASTER.REPORTS TO MASTER.
• Deterioration of wx.
• Serious offence.
• Passing of ship of interest.
• Berthing/Unberthing of an alongside ship.
• Any emergency.
• If in any doubt.

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TAKING OVER DUTYTAKING OVER DUTY
• Ensure give/receive full brief:
• Safety of the ship;
• Employment of the ship ;Loading: discharging
• Security, Discipline; Guests; Contractors
• Misc.

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• QUESTIONS ?