Operational Guide · Registers & Logbooks

# Watchkeeping

The STCW principles for bridge watchkeeping: when to leave the bridge, what to check at the start of a watch, and why fatigue remains the least recognised risk factor on board.

STCW watchkeeping bridge watch fatigue

## Operational Explanation

The navigational watch is the moment when responsibility for the ship's safety is concentrated on the officer of the watch (OOW): the STCW Code sets out general principles (never leave the bridge unattended, a structured handover, minimum rest) precisely because real operating conditions (traffic, weather, fatigue) vary too much for a single rigid procedure.

The least recognised risk, yet among the most frequent in navigational-incident investigations, is fatigue: an OOW who formally complies with the minimum rest periods required by STCW/MLC may still find themselves in a state of reduced alertness due to an accumulation of factors (sleep disturbance, stress, time-zone changes).

## Regulatory Reference

STCW Code, Chapter VIII (Standards Regarding Watchkeeping), in particular Section A-VIII/1 on minimum rest periods (harmonised with the requirements of MLC 2006): a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period, with specific conditions on how rest periods may be divided.

## Scope of Application

Every officer and rating engaged in navigational watchkeeping duty, on every ship subject to STCW.

## Procedure / How to Complete It

1. Check at the start of the watch the ship's position, planned course, present traffic and forecast weather/sea conditions.
2. Carry out a structured handover with the officer going off watch, including any ongoing situations or anomalies noted.
3. Maintain a constant lookout throughout the entire watch, never leaving the bridge unattended.
4. Regularly verify the ship's position using more than one independent method, not relying on a single system.
5. Comply with the minimum rest periods required by STCW/MLC before taking over the watch.
6. Promptly report to the Master any condition of fatigue that could compromise the safety of the watch.

## Practical Example

Example handover: "Watch from 04 to 08, course 270°, traffic: a merchant vessel 6 miles on the starboard bow with CPA to be monitored, good visibility, deterioration forecast after 06, emergency generator tested yesterday with no anomalies."

## Real Cases

Numerous collision and grounding investigations attribute a primary causal role to fatigue of the officer of the watch, even in cases where the formal minimum rest periods appeared to have been complied with on paper: the quality of rest, not just its formal duration, has proven to be the determining factor.

## Common Mistakes Mistake Library

Mistake | Consequence | How to avoid it
--- | --- | ---
Bridge left unattended even for a few minutes in traffic or restricted-navigation conditions | Risk of collision or grounding not detected in time | Never leave the bridge unattended; request support if it is necessary to step away
Rushed handover, without communicating ongoing situations | The relieving officer loses information critical to the safety of the watch | Always structure the handover around a minimum checklist of items to communicate
Fatigue not reported for fear of appearing inadequate | Watch conducted in a state of reduced alertness, high risk | Promote a culture that encourages honest reporting of fatigue, without punitive consequences

## PSC Observations

PSCOs verify the recording of crew rest periods (for consistency with STCW/MLC) and, through interviews, the officers' understanding of watchkeeping procedures.

## Operational Tips

- Do not rely only on the formal duration of rest: pay attention to its real quality as well.
- Always structure the handover around the same minimum items, so as not to forget critical information.
- Promote a culture in which reporting one's own fatigue is seen as a responsibility, not a weakness.

## Checklist

- STCW/MLC minimum rest periods complied with before the watch
- Structured, complete handover carried out
- Ship's position verified using more than one independent method
- Bridge never left unattended during the watch
- Conditions of fatigue reported promptly

## FAQ

What are the minimum rest periods required by STCW?
At least 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period and 77 hours in any 7-day period, with specific conditions on how the periods may be divided (no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 consecutive hours).
Can an OOW leave the bridge for an emergency elsewhere on the ship?
Only if adequate coverage of the navigational watch is guaranteed, for example by calling the Master or another qualified officer; the bridge must never be left unattended during navigation.
Is fatigue formally recognised as a risk factor?
Yes: both STCW and MLC 2006 recognise fatigue management as an element of operational safety, imposing minimum rest periods, but the responsibility for recognising and reporting genuine fatigue remains with the individual and with the Company's safety culture.
🎬 Additional photos, videos and interactive diagrams for this topic will be available in a future version of the platform.

## Related Topics

Bridge Resource Management COLREG in Practice

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