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used for evaluating the watchkeeping officers
effectively and comprehensively. It was planned that
writing a scenario consists of four steps and difficulty
levels increase at each step, then these scenarios were
rendered as playable in simulator.
In the study, firstly the following questions were
answered:
− What are the requirements that are asked to
watchkeeping officers by international
conventions, guidebooks and companies for safe
navigation?
− What should be considered to write a scenario that
could supply best efficiency?
− What are the required parameters for evaluating
watchkeeping officers most effectively in
simulator?
1 GENERAL REQUIREMENTS AND RECENT
STUDIES
1.1 General requirements for watchkeeping officers
With STCW convention many rules came into force
about standards of competence. These competences
can be demonstrated with four different methods and
one of these methods is simulator training. Also this
convention provided watchkeeping principles in
general as well as explanation of watchkeeping under
different conditions and in different areas. How to
maintain a look-out and how to perform the
navigational watch are also its significant topics about
watchkeeping issue. All these topics under STCW
serve to improvement of watchkeeping skills and are
guide for watchkeeping officers.
For safety of navigation all vessels must comply
with rules of COLREG. Especially on high traffic
density areas COLREG plays an important role in
collision avoidance. A safe watchkeeping depends on
following the rules of COLREG. Therefore
watchkeeping officers must know, understand and
apply the rules.
Apart from STCW and COLREG, other significant
informations are gathered from Bridge Procedures
Guide and ISM system. Situational awareness and
risk of collision are stated in this study according to
BPG. On the other hand the requirements for
watchkeeping under restricted visibility and during
coastal navigation as well as CPA (Closest Point of
Approach) /TCPA (Time to Closest Point of
Approach) limits are investigated.
1.1.1 STCW
An officer in charge shall be required to plan and
conduct a passage and determine position as a
competence. Officer must have the ability to
determine the ship’s position by use of landmarks,
aids to navigation including lighthouses, beacons and
buoys, dead reckoning, taking into account winds,
tides, currents and estimated speed. He/she must also
have the ability to perform those by use of electronic
aids. STCW also requires competence for manoeuvre.
Depending on this competence officers must have the
knowledge of the effects of deadweight, draught,
trim, speed and under-keel clearance on turning
circles and stopping distances and the effects of wind
and current on ship handling. For any man over
board situation all officers shall know the manoeuvres
and procedures for the rescue of person overboard.
Also squat, shallow-water and similar effects must be
known as well as proper procedures for anchoring
and mooring (STCW, 2011). All abilities mentioned
above, can be demonstrated in bridge simulator.
1.1.2 COLREG
The following rules of COLREG can be evaluated
in simulator. Rule 5 (Look-out) which is laid emphasis
on STCW and BPG, Rule 6 (Safe speed), Rule 7 (Risk
of collision). A watchkeeping officer should be aware
of the collision risk according to the related conditions
under the Rule 7 (Deseck, 1983). Rule 8 (Action to
avoid collision), Rule 9 (Narrow channels), Rule 10
(Traffic separation schemes), Rule 13 (Overtaking),
Rule 14 (Head-on situation), Rule 15 (Crossing
situation), Rule 16 (Action by give-way vessel), Rule
18 (Responsibilities between vessels), Rule 19
(Conduct of vessel in restricted visibility) and light,
shape and sound signals can be also evaluated in
bridge simulator.
1.1.3 Bridge Procedure Guide
Bridge Procedures Guide of International
Chamber of Shipping is a well-known guide book for
safe bridge procedures. It is generally used by
Masters, watchkeeping officers, companies and
training institutions. BPG emphasises the importance
of situational awareness of watchkeeping officers for
safe conduct of vessels. BPG also gives suggestions
about risk of collision. These suggestions must be
taken into account to avoid any risk of collision
situation.
According to BPG, a qualified watchkeeping
officers should develop and maintain situational
awareness of the area around the ship, the ship’s
activities and the possible impact of external
influences on the safety of the ship. And this
awareness must include following issues (ICS, 1998).
− A clear understanding of the passage plan;
− An effectively managed Bridge Team;
− A proper and continuous look-out by all available
means;
− Familiarity with and understanding of bridge
equipment and the information available from
radar, AIS, ARPA and ECDIS;
− Using look-outs, ECDIS, radar and visual
monitoring techniques to confirm the navigation
safety of the ship;
− Using look-outs, radar and ARPA to monitor
traffic; and
− Cross-checking information from different sources.
1.1.4 Company ISM
ISM systems of shipping companies have
directives on different navigation conditions like
restricted visibility, coastal navigation for
watchkeeping officers. These include efficient radar