Bridge-watchkeeping definition

[Unregistered]

What is the MCA's definition of deck bridge watchkeeping? I can't seem to find it on thier website.

For instance, on my first trip I spent around about 2 months observing the OOW and the AB lookout and checking for compass errors until the captain put me in a more pro-active role of secondary lookout. Does all the time I spent on the bridge count as bridge watchkeeping time or just the time spent as a secondary/primary lookout?

[alistairuk]

It counts if it was signed off on your sea service testimonial as bridge watch keeping time - given that you are asking then I guess it wasn't signed off as this on your testimonial.

The MCA requirement is specified in your TRB somewhere - it will also be specified in STCW - your ship will have a copy onboard - have a look... If I remember rightly it can be summarised as "Not less than 8 hours in any given 24 hour period on the bridge" (Time spent in port on class II vessels doesn't count as watch keeping time).

[CharlieDelta]

Actually, I had been wondering about that. Port watch on class one counts. But why? Not that I'm complaining.

[Steve]

Port watch on class one counts. But why?

Do you have a reference for that?

[alistairuk]

Emm... as Steve said, I think you'll find that it doesn't. (I might have mixed up class I and II...)

Which technically makes it impossible to meet the requirement on a cruise ship :-p

[CharlieDelta]

Hmm. From what I've been told the MCA rarely have any issues with our seatime, so I was led to believe that was the case.

If port watches are excluded then that makes things very difficult!

[Steve]

A watch in harbour is not a "navigational watch" and I'm pretty sure that STCW requires "navigational" watches.

However, the MCA tend to apply the rules in a more sympathetic manner. For example, if you must have 6 months navigational watchkeeping experience within your last 12 months sea time, you'd be utterly screwed if your ships spent less than 6 months underway in your last 12 months sea time.

[gadget123]

What about an anchor watch?