BASIC WATCHKEEPING

COURSE FOR
WATCHMEN

(CODE: BWC)
 Navigation &
Communication
Equipment
Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

ØKnow basic type of navigation and

communication equipment
ØUnderstand the importance of weather
monitoring and good communication
Types of Navigational Equipment and Resources
Used Onboard Modern Ships
Gyro Compass: It is used for finding the right
direction. Unlike magnetic compass, gyro
compass is not affected by external magnetic
field. It is used to find correct North Position,
which is also the earth’s rotational axis. Its
repeater system must be present in the steering
platform for emergency steering.

Radar: It is used to determine the distance of the

ship from land, other ships, or any floating object
out at sea.

Magnetic Compass: The magnetic compass

works in conjunction with the magnetic field of
the earth. It is used to get planned direction for
the voyage.
Types of Navigational Equipment and Resources
Used Onboard Modern Ships
Auto Pilot: It is a combination of hydraulic,
mechanical, and electrical system and is used to
control the ship’s steering system from a remote
location (Navigation bridge).
ARPA: Automatic Radar Plotting Aid displays the
position of a ship and other vessels nearby. The
radar displays the position of the ships in the
vicinity and selects the course for the vessel by
avoiding any kind of collision.
Ec h o S ou nd e r: Th is i ns trum ent i s u s e d t o
measure the depth of the water below the ship’s
bottom using sound waves.
GPS Receiver: A Global Positioning System
(GPS) receiver is a display system used to show
the ship’s location with the help of Global
positioning satellite in the earth’s orbit.
Types of Navigational Equipment and Resources
Used Onboard Modern Ships
Speed & Distance Log Device: The device is
used to measure the speed and the distance
traveled by a ship from a set point. By calculating
the same, ETA of the ship is adjusted or given to
the port authority and agent.

Electronic Chart Display Information System:

The Electronic Chart Display and Information
System (ECDIS) is a development in the
navigational chart system used in naval vessels
and ships. With the use of the electronic chart
system, it has become easier for a ship’s
navigating crew to pinpoint locations, and
attaining directions are easier than before.
Navigational Equipment Maintenance

Navigation lights and fog signalling system

Anchor lights, and if necessary, additional position
markings, e.g. lights marking the bow and stern,
should be well maintained. Supplemental deck
lighting should be used if the vessel is laid up
near shipping lanes.
Fog signalling system should be kept readily
available.
Marine Communication System

Radio telecommunication at sea had undergone a sea change in the last century.
After the days of semaphores and flags (which is still relevant today in some cases),
radio brought about a drastic change in marine communication at sea.

In the early of last century, ships started fitting radio for communicating distress
signals among themselves and with the shore. Radio telegraphy using Morse code
was used in the early part of the twentieth century for marine communication.
What is the GMDSS?

The GMDSS is an international safety system, which uses satellite and terrestrial
technology and ship-board radio systems to prevent accidents from happening and
to automatically alert the rescue authorities and nearby vessels quickly in an
emergency.
Under the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) convention, cargo ships of 300GRT and
upwards and all passenger ships on international voyages must be equipped with
satellite and radio equipment that conforms to international standards.
Marine Communication System

For standard marine radio communication

principally three kinds of equipment are used:

I. VHF transceivers for short-range (up to 50

Km) communications
II. HF-SSB transceivers for long-range (up to
5000 Km) communications
III. S a t e l l i t e t r a n s c e i v e r s f o r w o r l d - w i d e
communications

VHF equipment is relative cheap and most user

friendly. HF-SSB equipment is more expensive
and technically more difficult to manage.
VHF Transceiver

The IMO regulations require that every VHF set be

capable of operating on Channels 16 and a
working channel, but today, all sets, even the
small hand-helds, can tune to all marine channels
(about 58 channels in the range of 156.0 MHz to
164.0 MHz). Many channels are appointed to
specific types of communication such as ship-to-
ship communication or distress communication.

Maritime VHF communication with Digital

Selective Calling (DSC) is an integrated part of
the Global Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
introduced by the IMO in 1991 in order to
improve the safety of live at sea (primary for
commercial shipping)
HF - SSB Transceiver

Transceivers for AM-SSB communications are

larger and more complicated to handle than those
for VHF. SSB equipment is mainly used for long-
range communication. The maximum RF power is
usually 150W.

Satellite Transceiver
Inmarsat C provides two-way data and messaging
communication services to and from virtually
anywhere in the world. The low-cost terminals
and antennas are small enough to be fitted to any
size of ship.

Inmarsat Fleet 77 is a fully integrated satellite

communication service incorporating voice and
data applications.
Communication

Satisfactory means of communication should be

established between onboard personnel or port
engineers, port authorities, emergency response
services and technical managers etc. Emergency
radio channels and telephone numbers should
be defined and displayed in pertinent locations.

Reliable means of 24 hours communication

should be available for immediate contact for
local assistance or rescue facilities.

Two separate means of communication should

be provided.
Weather monitoring

Local daily weather reports and storm warnings

should be obtained from reliable sources.

Where there is a danger of icing, suitable steps

shall be taken to forestall possible damage due
to the freezing of drinking or ballast water in
tanks or pipelines, or damage due to the
pressure of ice against the shell plating, rudder
and propeller.
Fire & Safety Equipment
Learning Objectives

At the end of this module, you should be able to:

ØKnow basic symbols of fire and safety equipment

ØUnderstand the importance of fire and safety
equipment
Exercise No 1

Draw the safety symbols of below items:

I. Muster Station
II. Lifejacket
III.Lifeboat
IV. Emergency Telephone Station
V. Space protected by CO2
VI. Foam monitor/gun
IMO Symbols and Safety Signs
Safety systems, lifesaving appliances and
emergency equipment

Vessels safety systems, lifesaving appliances and emergency

equipment should be kept operational to the degree required for
the safety of the remaining crew and in readiness for instant use.

Items such as:

− emergency alarms
− GMDSS / distress equipment: EPIRB, flares etc
− fire detection and bilge alarm monitoring systems
− fire-fighting equipment i.e. hoses, nozzles, international shore
connection, fire-fighting suits & breathing apparatus, CO2
systems & release alarms, fire-extinguishers & spare charges
Safety systems, lifesaving appliances and
emergency equipment

− emergency fire pumps, hi-fog pumps, sprinkler pumps

− floatation devices: liferaft, life jackets, immersion suits etc
− first aid equipment
− bilge / emergency bilge pumping systems
− emergency batteries

For unmanned vessels, fire and bilge alarms should be relayed

(i.e. external sirens, radio paging systems) to the respective
manned locations.
Safety systems, lifesaving appliances and
emergency equipment

For dead-ships, alternative sources of power or monitoring for fire

detection and bilge level systems should be provided.

If requested by the local or national administration, periodic

inspections and maintenance have to be continued and on the
request of the owners, may be inspected by Class.
Safety Equipment
Ø All safety equipment must be in good working
order and fully tested prior to lay-up.
Ø The amount of safety equipment onboard may
be reduced in certain circumstances, such as
removal of BA escape sets that would normally
be used by substantive crew and which are not
required onboard during lay-up.
Ø Lighting, fire fighting and lifesaving equipment
must be maintained in operational condition
du r in g lay - u p. D ep e n d i n g u p o n a v ai l a b l e
power sources, lighting may have to be run
from a portable generator placed onboard.
Ø All consumables and flammable material must
be removed prior to lay-up, including
chemicals, paint, gases.
Fire alarm and fire-fighting systems

ØThe onboard fire alarm system must remain

operative during lay-up. Where no fire alarm
system is installed on board and provision is
not made for a permanent watch, a
temporary fire alarm system should be fitted
in the engine room and other relevant
spaces.

ØThe electricity supply must be sufficient to

enable a one-main fire pump to be operated.

ØThe emergency fire pump should be kept

ready for use and the fire-fighting system
should be tested at weekly intervals.
Fire alarm and fire-fighting systems

ØFire hoses, equipment items, international

shore connections and other fire fighting
appliances such as hand extinguishers or
CO2 systems must be kept ready for use at
all times.

ØReadily ignitable articles which increase the

risk of fire should be removed. Bilges should
be dried and kept free from oil. Where there
is a risk of frost, fire mains are to be
drained.