Watchkeeping: what SIRE 2.0 inspectors ask and find
Watchkeeping questions test standing orders, handovers and how the bridge team works in practice, often through a short interview with the officer of the watch.
Do this before the inspector arrives: Re-read standing orders and the change-of-watch checklist.
What the inspector wants to see
- Signed standing orders
- Change-of-watch checklist
- Heavy-weather checklist entries in the log
Questions inspectors ask about Watchkeeping
What should the Master's standing orders say about AIS, VHF and passing distances?
That AIS/VHF must not be used for collision avoidance, and the safe distance to pass navigational dangers in both open and restricted waters.
Must bridge and engine orders be timed?
Yes. The orders and each OOW/EOW's reading of them should be timed. Untimed orders were flagged.
Is there a procedure for bridge and engine room team composition in different operations?
It is expected: watch composition for drifting, underway, storing and personnel transfer, considering traffic, hazards, weather and visibility.
When should AIS be switched off?
When alongside a terminal or in a port area where hydrocarbon gases may be present.
Which COLREG rule was the OOW asked about?
Rule 19 - conduct of vessels in restricted visibility.
What lights does a NUC vessel making way show (Rule 27(a)(iii))?
Its NUC lights plus sidelights and a sternlight. A bridge poster missing the sternlight was flagged at a CDI.
There are 74 Watchkeeping questions in NilObs, with spaced repetition so the ones you miss come back. Practise them free.
Real Watchkeeping observations, and how to avoid them
The stern light on the poop deck had a cracked lamp base; it had been reported through the defect system.
Avoid it: Check navigation lights and fittings daily and keep spares to repair defects quickly.
The magnetic compass bowl had a large air bubble (about 10 x 3 cm); the crew removed it during the inspection.
Avoid it: Check the magnetic compass bowl for bubbles during routine bridge checks.
The officer doing safety rounds on deck had overlooked the large air bubble in the magnetic compass bowl.
Avoid it: Include the standard compass on the monkey island in regular safety rounds.
Interviewee admitted not removing the air bubble from the standard magnetic compass on the monkey island.
Avoid it: Check the monkey island compass regularly and remove bubbles using the maker's method.
The 2/O did not know which sound signal to give to show he was altering course to starboard.
Avoid it: Revise COLREG manoeuvring signals: one short blast means 'I am altering my course to starboard'.
The AIS procedure treated low power in port as enough to avoid static risk and ignored automatic polling, contrary to ISGOTT 6 section 4.13.4.
Avoid it: Follow ISGOTT for AIS at terminals: switch off, isolate the aerial or use a dummy load.
On the bridge navigation light panel, the aft anchor light's secondary lamp was not working and showed an alarm.
Avoid it: Test main and standby navigation lights from the panel and fix failed lamps before sailing.
Interviewee did not know the company rules on engine room manning for narrow channels, heavy weather and port approaches; nothing was logged for these periods.
Avoid it: Know when the engine room must be manned and by whom, and record it in the engine log.
Who answers for Watchkeeping
Master, Chief Officer, Second Officer, Third Officer, Deck Cadet, Able Seaman, Marine Superintendent. NilObs picks the questions and the daily drill for your role.
Rehearse Watchkeeping before your next inspection.
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