Acts Online
GT Shield

Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Regulations

Merchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations, 2021

Annexures

Annexure 2 : Watchkeeping Arrangements and Principles for Ships other than Fishing Vessels

Part 4-1 : Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch

8. Watch arrangements

 

18 When deciding the composition of the watch on the bridge, which may include appropriately qualified ratings, the following factors, inter alia, shall be taken into account:
.1 At no time shall the bridge be left unattended;
.2 weather conditions, visibility and whether there is daylight or darkness;
.3 proximity of navigational hazards which may make it necessary for the officer in charge of the watch to carry out additional navigational duties;
.4 use and operational condition of navigational aids such as ECDIS, radar or electronic position-indicating devices and any other equipment affecting the safe navigation of the ship;
.5 whether the ship is fitted with automatic steering;
.6 whether there are radio duties to be performed;
.7 unmanned machinery space (UMS) controls, alarms and indicators provided on the bridge, procedures for their use and their limitations; and
.8 any unusual demands on the navigational watch that may arise as a result of special operational circumstances.