Marine Operations Note: 08/2004 - Guidance for Masters on Keeping a Safe Anchor Watch

10 September 2004

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE: 8/2004

RE: Guidance for Masters on Keeping a Safe Anchor Watch

Dear Owner/Operator:

On 24 May 2004, IMO published a Marine Circular (STCW.7/Circ.14), providing the following guidance for masters on keeping a safe anchor watch:

1. The master of every ship at an unsheltered anchorage, at an open roadstead or any other virtually "at sea" condition is bound to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining a safe watch at all times. A deck officer will be responsible for maintaining a safe anchor watch at all times.

2 . The master shall take into account all pertinent circumstances and conditions in determining the watchkeeping arrangements, commensurate with maintaining the ship’s safety and security and the protection of the marine environment, such as:

.1 maintaining a continuous state of vigilance by sight and hearing as well as by all other available means;

.2 ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication requirements;

.3 the prevailing weather, sea, ice and current conditions;

.4 the need to continuously monitor the ship’s position;

.5 the nature, size and characteristics of anchorage;

.6 traffic conditions;

.7 situations, which might affect the security of the ship;

.8 loading and discharging operations;

.9 the designation of stand-by crew members; and

.10 the procedure to alert the master and maintain engine readiness.

For additional information concerning this issue you may contact: Mr. Timothy M. Keegan at +1 703 251 2409 or email: safety@liscr.com.