Why the Handover Matters
A poorly conducted watch handover is a documented precursor to groundings, collisions, and near-misses. The incoming OOW arrives with no situational awareness; the outgoing OOW has it all. The handover procedure exists to transfer that awareness completely before responsibility changes hands.
MSN 1858 gives statutory weight to STCW requirements for watchkeeping, and examiners expect candidates to treat the handover as a safety-critical procedure, not a courtesy.
Before the Relieving Officer Goes to the Bridge
The incoming OOW should check the chart room and vessel documentation first — course, speed, position, passage plan, standing orders, master's night orders, any navigational warnings (NAVTEX/SafetyNET), weather forecasts and any relevant publications. Arriving on the bridge already oriented reduces the time the outgoing OOW must spend explaining basics.
Arriving on the Bridge — Acclimatisation First
The incoming OOW must allow their eyes to adapt to the prevailing light conditions before assuming the watch, particularly at night. Taking over without full dark adaptation or without properly assessing the visual picture outside is dangerous. This is an explicit requirement under the STCW Code: do not rush this step.
The Formal Brief — What Must Be Passed
The outgoing OOW must pass the following, in a logical sequence that builds situational awareness:
- Ship's position, course steered, and speed — confirmed against the chart, not just the compass repeater
- Navigational hazards — anything in the next watch period: traffic separation schemes, shallow water, restricted areas, tidal gates, waypoints requiring course alterations
- Traffic situation — vessels in sight or on radar, any developing CPA concerns, VHF contact made
- Equipment status — autopilot/hand steering, radar settings, ECDIS/chart in use, any defects
- Weather and sea state — current and forecast, any change expected
- Standing and night orders — confirm the incoming OOW has read them, the master's call criteria in particular
- Any outstanding tasks or communications — VTS reports due, anchor watch considerations, crew on deck
The Decision to Relieve
The incoming OOW must not take over if they have any doubt about the safety of doing so — for example, if a manoeuvre is already in progress, a vessel is developing into a close-quarters situation, or if they are not yet satisfied with the information passed. In those circumstances they must inform the master.
Once satisfied, the incoming OOW states clearly that they have the watch. The outgoing OOW acknowledges and logs the time. Responsibility has transferred. Any ambiguity about who holds the watch is operationally unacceptable.