Navigation with Pilot on Board:
Immediately on arrival in bridge, Pilot to be informed of ship’s heading,
speed, engine setting and draft.
Master pilot exchange to be carried out.
Pilot informed of LSA provided on bridge, discuss about any ISPS
requirement if any.
Completed Pilot Card handed to pilot.
Pilot referred to Wheelhouse Poster.
Familiarization of bridge and communication systems to be given to
pilot.
Discuss about status of anchors.
Any other relevant procedures / checklist as per SMS to be complied
with.
Details of proposed passage plan discussed with the pilot and agreed
with the master including: UKC, radio communications and reporting
requirements.
Discuss about the watchkeeping arrangement and crew stand by
arrangements including tose who are stand by forward, discuss about
abort points and contingency anchorages.
Responsibilities within the bridge team for the pilotage defined and
clearly understood.
Discuss about requirement of local regulation including hoisting of a
flag, shape of exhibition of light etc.
Discuss about the following:-
Configuration of ropes (fwd & aft.)
Which line to be the first line (fwd & aft.)
Any mooring boat available
How many tugs & points where these tugs to be fast, power of the
tugs (bollard pull etc), what time tugs expected in order to give notice
to ship staff.
Lighting arrangement for stations must be consulted prior to switching
on lights especially for fwd stn (lights preferably facing fwd).
Discuss about information related to berthing / anchoring arrangements.
Discuss about expected traffic during transit, pilot change over
arrangements, fender requirements. Discuss about instructions for pilot
ladder / accommodation ladder.
Watchkeeping level to be as per company’s SMS.
Progress of the ship and execution of orders being monitored by the
master and OOW, position fixing to be done as per position plotting
interval as ordered by Master, Parallel indexing technique to be used as
and when possible.
Traffic situation to be monitored, keep eye on all the vessels in the
vicinity and data pertaining to CPA, TCPA, range, bearing, bow crossing
range, bow crossing distance. Good look out to be maintained, long
range scanning to be done to detect the object in ample time.
Comply with COLREGS/ local regulations, effectiveness of action to be
checked.
UKC to be monitored.
Any instruction as per Masters standing orders, bridge orders to be
complied with.
VTS to be reported (normally done by pilot), VHF to be maintained on
required frequencies.
E/R and ship’s crew regularly briefed on the progress of the ship during
pilotage.
Arrangement to relieve officers, helmsman, look out, and those stand by
for anchor party to be done.
Ensure Master’s orders and pilot’s advice is complied with.
Monitor all the displays on bridge – tachometer, rudder angle indicator,
ROTI, anemometer etc, also displays for course steered and course
made good, speed through water and speed over ground etc.
Significance of Master Pilot Information
Exchange:
Navigation Advice to Pilot:
Vessel’s heading, speed, RPM. (speed increasing/ decreasing)
Distance off/ bearing of nearest appropriate navigating/ aid or
landmark
ETA at next course change position, next course/ heading
Point out converging and close – by traffic
Depth of water under the keel
Any other items
Reach Agreement on Underway Procedures:
Manoeuvres for narrows, bends, turns, etc
Courses/ headings, distance off danger areas, maximum speed
Restrictions: day versus night movement/ berthing
Tide and current conditions not acceptable
Minimum acceptable visibility at any point
Use of anchor (planned, emergency)
Manoeuvres not requiring tugs
Manoeuvres requiring tugs
Number of tugs required (and when)
Source of tug securing lines: ship or tug
Push/ pull power of required tugs
Communications procedure between vessel and tugs
Placement of tugs alongside
Crew standby requirement – number available and stations
Expected time vessel has to arrive at berth/ turning basin at high /
low / slack wateraverage
Speed to his positions
Any other items
Reach Agreement on Mooring / Unmooring Procedures:
Maximum acceptable wind force and direction
Unmooring procedures without tugs in event of emergency
Sequence of running out/retrieving-mooring lines / Wires
Mooring lines to be run out by launch and time to run lines
Provision for dock line handlers
Determine which side to
Fire wires required
Any other items
Information to be provided by Pilot
Pilot Mr. _______________ Date ________
Please provide following information to the Master:
Intended navigation plan for the passage.
Speed(s) required at different stages of the passage.
Any navigation restrictions: – Dry versus night navigation etc.
Status of navigational aids in Pilot age waters.
Tides, currents, weather anticipated.
Expected traffic conditions.
Any other information critical to the safe passage.
Contingency plans, alternative routes (if available).
Minimum visibility acceptable at any time.
Use of critical /anchors (planned or emergency).
Significance of Master-Pilot Information
Exchange:
1. The pilotage passage plan will need to be discussed with the pilot as he
comes onboard.
2. Any amendments to the plan should be agreed and any consequential
changes in individual bridge team responsibilities made before pilotage
commences.
3. Where pre-arrival exchange has not taken place extra time and sea
room may need to be allowed before pilotage commences under to
discuss the plan fully.
4. The Pilot should be handed over the Pilot Card and shown the
Wheelhouse Poster.
5. The Wheelhouse Poster provides a summary of ship manoeuvring
information. A manoeuvring booklet, containing more detailed
information may also be available on the bridge.
6. The pilot has specialised knowledge of navigation in local waters.
7. The master may delegate the conduct of the ship to the Pilot who
directs the navigation in close co-operation with the Master and / or the
OOW.
8. It is important that the responsibilities of the master and the Pilot are
clearly understood.
9. The pressure of a pilot does not relieve the master or the OOW of their
duties or obligations for the safety of a ship.
10. Both should be prepared to exercise their right not to proceed to a
point where the ship would not be to maneuvering or would be in
danger.
11. The safe progress of the ship along the planned tracks should be
closely monitored at all times which includes regular position fix,
monitoring underkeel clearance.
12. Verbal orders from the pilot also need to be checked to confirm
that they have been correctly carried out.
13. This includes monitoring both the rudder angle and RPM indicator
when helm and engine orders are given.
14. OOW should always seek clarification from the pilot when in doubt of
pilot actions or intentions. If a satisfactory explanation is not given, he
should notify the Master immediately.
