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Coastal Navigation: Key OOW Considerations

The document lists 11 factors that an Officer of the Watch (OOW) must consider when preparing a passage through coastal waters, including charted features, currents, tides, traffic density, depths, ship characteristics, navigation equipment reliability, and environmental measures. It also describes operational checks an OOW should perform when using radar, such as checking the performance monitor, stabilization, heading marker, variable range marker, speed and gyro inputs, and initial set up of brilliance, gain, tuning, and clutter. Warnings and alarms should also be checked.

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Sabeena Poonwassie
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143 views2 pages

Coastal Navigation: Key OOW Considerations

The document lists 11 factors that an Officer of the Watch (OOW) must consider when preparing a passage through coastal waters, including charted features, currents, tides, traffic density, depths, ship characteristics, navigation equipment reliability, and environmental measures. It also describes operational checks an OOW should perform when using radar, such as checking the performance monitor, stabilization, heading marker, variable range marker, speed and gyro inputs, and initial set up of brilliance, gain, tuning, and clutter. Warnings and alarms should also be checked.

Uploaded by

Sabeena Poonwassie
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

MARCH 2016

With reference to the BPG, state 10 factors that the OOW needs to take into consideration when
preparing a passage through costal waters:

1. The importance of passing charted and other features (headlands) at a safe distance.
2. The effects of anticipated current, tidal streams and tides
3. General prevailing visibility for the area
4. Traffic density in the area- presence of fvl and svl.
5. Special areas such as fishing grounds.
6. Available depth of water and squat characteristics for individual loading conditions, squat
may have a critical effect on the maneuverability and the under keel clearance (UKC) of
the ship.
7. The OOW takes into account the ship's DRAUGHT and maneuvering characteristics,
which may affect navigation in restricted waters. The reliability of the ship's propulsion
and steering system and status of bridge equipment.

8. Navigation is conducted on the most suitable large SCALE ENC, RNC or paper charts
available
9. Availability of visual and radar fixing opportunities. All relevant navigation MARKS are
positively identified by the OOW
10. Ship's routing and reporting measures, as well as the availability of Vessel Traffic
Services (VTS)
11. Environmental protection measures and associated requirements, including fuel
changeover procedures.
12. Advice in sailing directions

Operational checks and adjustments if any that an OOW must carry out when using RADAR for
position fixing and collision avoidance.

Performance Test- The performance of the radar should be checked using the Performance
Monitor before sailing and at least every four hours whilst a radar watch is being maintained.

Stabilization- Select the optimum stabilization mode for the radar display.

Heading Marker- Checks of the heading marker should be made periodically to ensure that
correct alignment is maintained. I f misalignment exists it should be corrected at the earliest
opportunity. Ensure the heading marker line on the display is aligned with the fore-and-aft line of
the ship
Misalignment of the heading marker, even if only slightly, can lead to dangerously misleading
interpretation of potential collision situations, particularly in restricted visibility when targets are
approaching from ahead or fine on own ship’s bow.

***Check the accuracy of the variable range marker, bearing cursor and fixed range rings.

Speed Input- Determining a target’s aspect by radar; the calculation of its true track is
dependent on the choice and accuracy of the own ship’s course and speed input.

Gyro Input- In cases of gyro failure when the radar’s heading data is provided from a
transmitting magnetic heading device (TMHD), watch-keepers should determine and apply the
magnetic compass errors

Initial Set Up- Brilliance, gain, tuning, sea/rain clutter.

Warnings and Alarms -Audible operational warnings and alarms may be used to indicate that a
target has closed on a pre-set range, enters a user-selected guard zone or violates a preset CPA or
TCPA limit.

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