Tag: Watchkeeper

UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) draws lessons learned from an incident in which a vessel grounded and subsequently sank, after the lone watchkeeper left the wheelhouse unattended. 

MOL and JRCS announced joint research on the use of AI-based object recognition technology by leveraging each company’s knowledge and technologies.

Human error has been a key area of concern for shipping as the major cause of navigation-related accidents, with 71 such occurrences recorded between 2015-2020, each incurring insurance claims of more than $10 million. Is human error in shipping navigation preventable?

Belgium's FEBIMA issued an investigation report on the collision between the cargo ship MV ACEROMAR and the fishing vessel Z.575- HEIN SENIOR in the traffic separation scheme Terschelling - German Bight near Schiermonnikoog which led to material and structural damage to both vessels. 

As part of its BSafe campaign, Britannia P&I Club describes a case of a lone watchkeeping grounding. While on passage at night, a 2,281gt general cargo ship ran aground on the pentland skerries in the eastern entrance of the pentland firth, Scotland, sustaining significant hull damage. 

Tiredness is a phenomenon to which all humans are prone and no one is exempt, especially in the workplace, but the magnitude of its consequences varies depending on the nature of the job. In shipping, which is characterized by long shift hours, falling asleep on the bridge could lead to extreme costs, environmental pollution or even fatalities.

SafeLearn, a product line of Safebridge, launches a new online training called “Mastering Daily Navigation.” The course is designed to educate and refresh the knowledge of all watchkeeping ranks on how to combine traditional navigation with modern-day technology.

Ship hardening measures are all physical security measures taken with the aim to improve vessel’s integrity in security threats which can be achieved through three defense layers; either with the implementation of operational measures (1st defense layer) i.e. watchkeeping, maneuvering, speed, armed security contractors, or with equipment related measures (2nd defense layer or with citadels onboard (3rd defense layer).

Japanese shipping company MOL and electronics firm Furuno Electric Co., Ltd. made a joint presentation of their advanced augmented reality (AR)-based Navigation System. The system provides visual support to crew members during their watch-keeping and ship operations by using AR technology.

According to STCW Convention, ratings must meet minimum standards of medical fitness, minimum age (if designated with watchkeeping duties), competence (if designated with watchkeeping duties), and seagoing service time (if designated with watch- keeping duties).