AMSA Marine Notice 18/2012
AMSA has issued Marine Notice 18/2012 regarding sound navigational practices. This notice aims to remind masters and navigating officers of navigational practices that should be adhered to within Australian waters (and by Australian Registered Vessels globally).
Two recent high profile groundings overseas, which have resulted in significant loss of life and/or property, and poor navigational practices observed by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority’s (AMSA’s) port State control (PSC) inspectors, have prompted this guidance. This guidance is complementary to other AMSA Marine Notices on the safety of navigation.
Responsibility for safe navigation with a pilot embarked
Masters and watch-keepers remain responsible for the safe navigation of their ships, even when a pilot is on board. The master should ensure that the bridge remains adequately manned and under the control of an experienced watchkeeper, who can ensure that the bridge team:
1. supports the pilot, by maintaining a good lookout and continual situational awareness; and having expertise in the bridge equipment and systems;
2. continually monitors the pilot’s actions, being prepared to seek clarification as necessary and/or call the master. The Officer of the Watch must take whatever action is necessary before the master arrives, to maintain the safety of navigation; and
3. discuss, agree and communicate to the entire bridge team, any change to the ship’s passage plan advised by the pilot. In case of any change, the original passage plan must be amended; and the amended passage plan must then be adhered to.
Good Navigation Practice
Masters and navigating officers are reminded that sound navigational practices include:
- not overly relying on any one navigational aid;
- in particular, not relying solely on Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) for navigation, especially when navigation can be conducted visually and/or by radar;
- the use of soundings and transits as checks for position fixes. PSC inspectors may look for evidence of this practice on ships’ charts; fixing the ship’s position at frequent and regular intervals, including when a pilot is on board;
- ensuring that the ship has the latest Maritime Safety Information (MSI) for the area by configuring the Enhanced Group Call (EGC) or NAVTEX (if applicable) receiver correctly; and
- cooperating fully with any available Vessel Traffic Service (VTS).
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Source: AMSA