For watchkeeping, it’s important to always stay current on the essentials
Watchkeeping’s Rules of the Road can seem a bit daunting, especially when you look at the International Rules (COLREGS) and the US Inland Rules. The rules regarding “may” and “shall,” “action” and “intent” can make things a bit confusing for some crew members standing watch.
Let’s start with what they are and when you use them. The rules state: “Navigation Rules are regulations which aid mariners in safe navigation, just as driving laws aid vehicles in safe driving. Charts produced by the National Ocean Service show the COLREGS Demarcation Line, which denotes when mariners should follow the 72 COLREGS (outside the Demarcation lines) or the Inland Navigation Rules (inside the Demarcation Lines). Professional mariners must be proficient in the Rules of the Road but all mariners should know and understand the rules. The rules are legally binding and application of them makes the waterways safer for everyone.”
Next, the specifics. When should you sound a signal, and what is an appropriate signal? Rule 32 states that the prescribed “blasts” shall be either a short blast (about one second long) or a prolonged blast that lasts between four and six seconds. All sound signals shall be one or the other, or a mix of them depending on the situation. Furthermore, Rule 34 states that when vessels are in sight of one another (International) or when they are within half a mile of one another (Inland), they shall indicate the maneuver with the appropriate signal.
When you are on watch and you hear a signal from another vessel, it is important to understand what the signal means and what actions they are taking, and what actions you may have to take to stay in compliance with the rules. If there is any doubt as to the action of the other vessel, you must immediately indicate such doubt by sounding five short and rapid blasts. That signal may be responded to by the other vessel with the same signal, or they may sound a different signal to indicate their action or agreement.
Standing a watch and maneuvering in accordance with the Rules of the Road are vital to the safety of the vessel. Most watches are four hours in duration; during that time you may cover 50 to 100 miles of distance, depending on your vessel. It is entirely likely that you will encounter other vessels and different weather or visibility conditions. The captain will have a set of standing orders that address pretty much everything, including poor or decreasing visibility. Understand that the rules for sound signals change when in or near an area of restricted visibility. Rule 35 addresses the sound signals that are required for vessels and Rule 19 addresses the conduct of vessels in restricted visibility. The captain’s standing orders and the Rules of the Road will dictate what actions you must take and what your responsibilities are. Rule 6 even dictates what is defined as a safe speed for you to operate in for various conditions.
Watchkeeping is more than just staying on course and looking out the window; properly interpreting what you are seeing and hearing and what the instruments are telling you is key to safe navigation. Proper use of the radar, the ECDIS, the AIS, the sounder and camera systems will all help you do that. Be familiar with the function of those instruments, as well as the Rules of the Road, and you will be able to conduct a safe and efficient watch.