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 5 : Watchkeeping in Port Principles applying to all watchkeeping

20. Watch arrangements

Purchase

91	Arrangements for keeping a deck watch when the ship is in port shall at all times be adequate to—

.1	ensure the safety of life, of the ship, the port and the environment, and the safe operation of all machinery related to cargo operation;

.2	observe international, national and local rules; and

.3	maintain order and the normal routine of the ship.

92	The master shall decide the composition and duration of the deck watch depending on the conditions of mooring, type of the ship and character of duties.

93	If the master considers it necessary, a qualified officer shall be in charge of the deck watch.

94	The necessary equipment shall be so arranged as to provide for efficient watchkeeping.

The chief engineer officer, in consultation with the master, shall ensure that engineering watchkeeping arrangements are adequate to maintain a safe engineering watch while in port. When deciding the composition of the engineering watch, which may include appropriate engine-room ratings, the following points are among those to be taken into account:

.1	On all ships of 3,000 kW propulsion power and over there shall always be an officer in charge of the engineering watch;

.2	on ships of less than 3,000 kW propulsion power there may be, at the master’s discretion and in consultation with the chief engineer officer, no officer in charge of the engineering watch; and

.3	officers, while in charge of an engineering watch, shall not be assigned or undertake any task or duty which would interfere with their supervisory duty in respect of the ship’s machinery system.