Supporting the watch
- Keep a proper lookout by sight and hearing, and report what is seen or heard correctly.
- Steer the vessel by hand, understanding helm orders and the compass.
- Support mooring, anchoring and stores work safely under the officer's direction.
- Follow safe working practices, use the correct PPE, and respond to the emergency alarms.
As a lookout the deck hand is the officer's eyes and ears, reporting promptly everything that may affect the safe navigation of the ship — lights, vessels, sounds, and anything unusual. As a helmsman they steer accurately to the helm orders. And in everything on deck they work safely, using the right protective equipment and following the safe systems of work, because the efficient deck hand is trusted to do the job without needing constant supervision.
NOTE — The lookout reports everything relevant A lookout reports every light, vessel, sound or hazard that may affect the safe navigation of the ship, and reports it promptly to the officer of the watch. The lookout does not decide what is important — the officer does.
TIP — Trusted to work safely unsupervised The 'efficient' in efficient deck hand means being trusted to do the deck work correctly and safely without constant supervision, using the right PPE and safe methods as second nature.