When under pilotage, the vessel’s radars and other navigational aids shall be in continuous operation even if the visibility is good, and the vessel’s position shall be frequently verified.
In order to guard against faulty operation, the vessel’s Master or the Officer of the Watch and not the Pilot shall operate the instruments.
The Officer of the Watch shall closely follow the navigation and check the vessel’s position by plotting at such frequent intervals as will immediately call attention to deviations from the planned track.
The vessel’s position shall always be plotted on the chart at intervals of not more than ten minutes. It is important that fixing is carried out by more than one navigational method. Where the vessel is proceeding along a marked route it is important that position determination whenever possible is carried out using fixed lights.
The Officer of the Watch shall without delay call the Master if he is in any doubt about the navigation or determines any deviation from the planned track.
Manoeuvring
In vessels equipped with Master-controls for manoeuvring, it is of major importance that these controls are handled by the Master or the Officer of the Watch. If handled by the pilot, and communication is lost, it may then be difficult for the lng master vacancies to evaluate the pilot’s manoeuvres or render immediate action in case of an emergency.
River/Channel Navigation
In the case of such navigation the Master shall make sure that speed is suitably reduced in bends and narrow passages. In areas with shallow water, the Master s all have regard to the squat effect and he shall also determine which areas have to be navigated at high water.
Where it is intended to determine positions by means of the contours of the river bank, it should be borne in mind that this may vary owing to changing water levels.
