CHIEF ENGINEER Unit 9 ILO Q1

The primary regulations regarding watchkeeping are outlined in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended. Chapter VIII of the STCW Code specifically addresses the “Standards Regarding Watchkeeping”.  

1. en.wikipedia.org

2. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

3. Commentary on Chapter VIII – STCW Handbook

These regulations cover a wide range of aspects related to watchkeeping, including:

• Watchkeeping Arrangements and Principles:
  • General principles for organizing safe watch systems, including minimum rest periods and fitness for duty requirements.   1. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 www.imo.org
  • Specific guidance on watchkeeping arrangements for both navigational and engineering watches.   1. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 – Admiralty and Maritime Law Guide www.admiraltylawguide.com
  • Requirements for the handover of the watch between officers.
• Fitness for Duty:
  • Guidelines on ensuring watchkeeping personnel are fit for duty, including limitations on alcohol and drug use.   1. Shipboard Drug & Alcohol Abuse: STCW Regulation and Risk Management Guidelines maritime-mutual.com
  • Procedures for dealing with fatigue and other factors that could impair performance.   1. International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 www.imo.org
• Navigation and Radio Watch:
  • Detailed requirements for the navigational watch, including maintaining a proper lookout, using navigational aids, and complying with collision regulations.   1. Procedure for Watchkeeping on Ships – Transpordiamet www.transpordiamet.ee
  • Responsibilities of the officer in charge of the navigational watch.   1. Procedure for Watchkeeping on Ships – Transpordiamet www.transpordiamet.ee
  • Requirements for the radio watch and communication procedures.
• Engineering Watch:
  • Specific requirements for the engineering watch, including monitoring and controlling machinery, responding to alarms, and maintaining records.
  • Responsibilities of the officer in charge of the engineering watch.
  • Watchkeeping arrangements in unmanned machinery spaces (UMS).

Key Principles of Watchkeeping Regulations:

• Safety: The primary objective of watchkeeping regulations is to ensure the safety of life at sea, the ship, and the environment.
• Competence: Watchkeeping personnel must be adequately trained, certified, and competent to perform their duties.   1. Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more – STCW Home – Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers www.navit.fo
• Vigilance: Maintaining a proper lookout and being alert to potential hazards is crucial for safe watchkeeping.   1. AMSA: 5 tips to keep a proper lookout – SAFETY4SEA safety4sea.com
• Communication: Effective communication between watchkeeping personnel, the bridge team, and other departments is essential for safe operation.
• Record Keeping: Proper record-keeping is vital for maintaining a history of operations, identifying trends, and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Enforcement and Compliance:

• Flag States: Each country that is a party to the STCW Convention is responsible for implementing and enforcing these regulations on its flagged vessels.
• Port State Control: Port states have the authority to inspect foreign ships visiting their ports to ensure compliance with STCW requirements, including watchkeeping standards.

By adhering to these regulations, the maritime industry strives to maintain a high level of safety and prevent accidents at sea.

According to the STCW ’78 as amended, a watchkeeper is legally entitled to a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period.

However, there are some important nuances to this rule:

• Division of Rest Hours: The 10 hours of rest can be divided into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours in length.   1. Hours of Rest for Seafarers – workrest www.workrest.co
• Exceptions: In emergencies, drills, or other overriding operational conditions, the minimum rest period may not be required.   1. STCW: Setting the hours of rest for watch personnel – SAFETY4SEA safety4sea.com
• Reduced Rest Periods: Under certain circumstances, the minimum 10-hour rest period can be reduced to 6 consecutive hours, but this reduction cannot extend beyond two days and a minimum of 70 hours of rest must still be provided in each 7-day period.

These regulations aim to prevent fatigue and ensure that watchkeepers are adequately rested to perform their duties safely and effectively.

Over a period of one week (7 days), a watchkeeper is legally entitled to a minimum of 70 hours of rest in accordance with the STCW regulations.

It is important to note that this is the minimum requirement. It’s encouraged for companies and masters to provide more rest hours whenever possible to promote crew well-being and prevent fatigue.

According to the STCW ’78 as amended, there are several circumstances under which it may be necessary to increase the watchkeeping manning of the machinery spaces. These can broadly be categorized into:

Operational Circumstances

• Maneuvering in Confined Waters or Restricted Visibility: When navigating in areas with high traffic density, limited visibility, or navigational hazards, the engineering watch may need to be augmented to ensure quick response to maneuvering commands and handle potential emergency situations.
• Cargo Operations or Ballast Operations: During critical cargo or ballast operations that involve complex machinery or increased risk, additional personnel may be required in the machinery space for monitoring and control.
• Trials or Testing: When conducting machinery trials, tests, or inspections, additional engineering personnel might be needed to oversee the procedures, take readings, and respond to any anomalies.
• Maintenance and Repairs: If extensive maintenance or repair work is being carried out in the machinery spaces, the watchkeeping manning might need to be increased to accommodate the additional tasks and ensure safe working conditions.

Emergency Situations

• Fire or Flooding: In the event of a fire, flooding, or other emergencies in the machinery spaces, additional personnel may be required to assist with damage control, firefighting, or other emergency response activities.
• Machinery Breakdown: A major machinery breakdown or malfunction could necessitate additional engineering personnel to troubleshoot, repair, or implement alternative systems to maintain the ship’s essential operations.
• Man Overboard: In a man overboard situation, the engineering watch might need to be reinforced to provide immediate support to the bridge team in maneuvering the ship and deploying rescue equipment.

Other Circumstances

• Reduced Rest Periods: If the watchkeeping personnel have experienced reduced rest periods due to operational demands, additional personnel might be required to ensure adequate coverage and prevent fatigue-related errors.
• Training and Familiarization: When new engineers join the ship, or during specific training exercises, the watchkeeping manning may be temporarily increased to provide supervision and guidance.
• Security Concerns: In situations where there are heightened security concerns or a potential threat to the ship, additional personnel might be deployed in the machinery spaces to enhance security and surveillance.

Key Principles:

• Safety First: The primary consideration for increasing watchkeeping manning is to ensure the safety of the ship, its crew, and the environment.
• Operational Efficiency: Sufficient manning is essential to maintain the efficient operation of the ship’s machinery and systems.
• Regulatory Compliance: The watchkeeping arrangements should comply with the STCW requirements and the ship’s Minimum Safe Manning Document.

The decision to increase watchkeeping manning rests with the Chief Engineer Officer, who must assess the situation and determine the appropriate level of staffing to ensure safe and effective operations.