A.The navigator will plot the course for his watch with the DR positions labeled on the chart and entered into the log not less than every hour on the hour and every ½ hour or more often as ordered by the boatswain.

B.The navigator will keep the navigation log noting LAT and LONG at least every hour on the hour and every half hour on the half hour.

C.The navigator will plot a fix at least every hour on the hour and every one half hour on the half hour by all means available.

D.The navigator will promptly inform the boatswain of any hazard to safe navigation.

E.The navigator will not change or alter the DR course based on new data, but will establish a TRACK as a separate record of the ship’s progress based on fixes.

F.The navigator will record the following data for his watch:

1.   Engine running hours

2.   Average boat speed every hour on the hour

3.   ETA to course change at least every hour on the hour and again 5 minutes before scheduled course change

G.The navigator will keep the boatswain advised of the next visible aid to navigation by range,relative bearing and description of the object.

H.The navigator will clearly mark the chart in pencil using the following symbols:

1.   FIX:  Circle with dot inc enter and time in 24 hour time, labeled parallel to bottom of the chart. GPS FIX: Diamond with dot in center.

2.   DR POSITION:  Half circle with dot in center on DR course line, with the time in 24 hour time labeled oblique to the bottom of the chart.

3.   COURSE:  Labeled in magnetic degrees, labeled on top of course line, preceded by the capital letter C.

4.   SPEED:  Labeled on bottom of the course line in knots, preceded by the capital letter S.

5.   ESTIMATED POSITION:  A box with a dotted line from course line, dotted line 90 degrees to line of position.

6.   LINES OF POSITION:  Label with time on the top of line that is drawn to object on which the bearing is being taken.  Label in degrees magnetic on bottom of line of position.

I.The navigator will inform the boatswain as to the preferred attitude of the vessel relative to all forthcoming aids to navigation or navigational hazards.

J.  The navigator will be assigned no other duties.

A.The helmsman will steer a course as given to him by the boatswain.

B.The helmsman,when given an order to change course by the boatswain, will repeat the order in a loud voice.

C.The helmsman will not change course without an order from the boatswain of Skipper in an emergency.

D.  The helmsman will not carry on unnecessary conversation.

A.In good weather the forward lookout will be positioned on the bow; the aft lookout (if stationed) will be stationed on the stern.

B.The lookout will report:

1.  Any vessel within sight that could possibly be a hazard to the vessel.

2.  Any object in the water.

3.  All aids to navigation.

4.  Underwater obstructions and shallow water.

C.The lookout will give the range and relative bearing of the objects being reported using degrees relative and yards or nautical miles. Example: “Power vessel bearing 030 relative, range 400 yards.”

D.The lookout will report to the boatswain.

E.The lookout will report all persons or objects falling overboard and maintain eye contact with said objects or persons and give continuous reports of their positions to the boatswain. If a person falls overboard the lookout will point at the person in the water.

F.The lookout will wear a life jacket at all times and will wear a harness in bad weather or during darkness.

G.The lookout will have no other duties and will not engage in conversation not related to ship operation.

Boatswain Preparation Checklist

Please consider the tasks on the following list and use this document as a checklist to assist you in the performance of your duties as boatswain. 

I. Prior to Getting Underway Planning and Training

ð       Reviewed navigation and checked all courses for correctness and safety and submitted to Skipper for approval

ð       Made a personal check list to be carried on person of all courses, hazards, and compass courses for Tacks for each course charted

ð       Reviewed all tides, weather reports, and established exact time of sunset

ð       Scheduled all duties for watch including helmsman, navigator, lookouts, galley assignments, and posted schedule

ð       Conducted pre-sail check of vessel using checklist and noted and corrected problems including check for all equipment required by law, condition of life jackets, flares in date and demonstrated complete knowledge of required equipment.

ð       Conducted training regarding handling of lines to get underway, made specific line assignments,trained crew on commands to be used and correct responses of each crew member to each command

ð       Conducted training of helmsman, reviewing proper helm commands as per manual and proper responses

ð       Conducted training of navigator reviewing procedure for reporting every hour and half hour, and exact nature of the report

ð       Conducted emergency procedure training for “Oscar” drill including review of the station bill and the duties of each crew member for that drill

ð       Conducted training for colors ceremony and demonstrated proper boatswain calls (All Hands, Pipe the Side and Carry On)

ð       Conducted ground tackle training including deployment of the anchor, staging of lines and proper handling of lines and commands to be used

ð       Established a written backup or contingency plan for such events as sudden bad weather, equipment failure, illness or injury of crew member, etc.

ð       Followed engine checklist,started engines and checked for any water or fuel leaks, checked that transmission is engaging both forward and back

ð       During all training checked for understanding, was clear in his training, training followed an outline made by boatswain, used aids if necessary

ð    Posted a station bill for the following emergency situations: man overboard, fire, damage control and abandon ship.

II. Executing Colors

ð       All hands at stations on time and colors ready, halyards ready

ð       All hands property executed colors ceremony

ð       Played all required calls property (All hands, Attention, Pipe the Side and Carry on)

ð    Executed all commands correctly

III. Getting Underway

ð       All hands at stations according to a written and posted plan

ð       Received permission to get underway from Skipper

ð       Briefed crew on proper way to disconnect electrical power, disconnected shore power, and supervised proper storage of electrical lines

ð       Proper commands given to helm and line handlers and all personnel responded properly

ð       Commands were clear and loud enough for all to hear

ð       Special sea and anchor detail posted and ready

ð    All hands wearing life jackets, in work uniform and all safety equipment ready 

IV. Emergency Drills

Oscar Drill: At Skipper’s discretion, Skipper places floatable object over the side.

ð       Within 5 seconds, boatswain gave the first order to the helm to execute a Quick Stop,turning the stern away from victim and gave subsequent proper commands to helm to properly perform that turn.  Deploy Life Sling

ð       Boatswain checked with navigator to be sure navigator fixed location

ð       Boatswain insured that lookout was tracking victim by pointing

ð       Boatswain gave proper steering commands

ð       Boatswain gave proper commands to deck crew to pick up victim (target)

ð       Boatswain insured that helmsman was calling out compass headings during turn

Second Emergency Drill- Without notice Skipper announces emergency drill(Boatswain’s Choice: Fire, Abandon Ship or Damage Control)

ð       Within 5 seconds the boatswain gives the first order to implement his plan

ð       Boatswain orders navigation to fix position

ð       Boatswain directs navigator to place appropriate emergency call to USCG to monitor situation. Directed efforts but did not leave station

ð Was able to accurately describe his plan following secure from stations 

V. Underway Command Skills

ð       Used correct commands to helm and required correct response. Properly supervised navigator, required navigation report on the hour and one the half hour

ð       Vessel always on course,but boatswain informed Skipper if vessel was off course, received Skipper approval for any course changes

ð       Before making any course change, obtained input from navigator, looked at chart personally, performed a 360 degree visual check of the area and gave clear command to helm and crew

ð       Ensured lookout schedule was followed

ð       Ensured that meals were served on time and all was clean

ð       Handled any emergency or change of plans

ð       Delegated well and did not leave the bridge

ð       All commands were clear and loud enough for all to hear

ð       Responses to all commands were correct or boatswain corrected crew member response

ð       While underway, Skipper will make a sudden change in course and plans; boatswain directed navigator and crew members to make proper changes and then implemented changes properly giving all proper commands 

ð       Conducted review and counseling of crew members and held after-action debriefing following watch end

ð    Anticipated problems and events and responded accordingly, while notbecoming part of the action

VI. Coming along side or use of ground tackle

If Anchoring

ð       Crew and anchor detail received review of procedure including safety briefing

ð       Ground tackle properly prepared, bitter end secure

ð       All hands wearing life jackets

ð       Proper commands given to helm and proper response received

ð       Proper commands given to crew and proper responses received

ð    Once deployed directed navigator to take fix and if necessary set anchor watch

ð    Crew did not secure from anchor stations until directed

If Coming Along Side

ð       Crew received review of procedures and safety briefing properly conducted

ð       All hands wearing life jackets

ð       Lines properly prepared well in advance and clear of life lines

ð       All crew members at proper stations: bow lines, spring line, stern lines)

ð       Proper commands given to helm and proper helm responses received

ð       Proper commands given to crew 

ð       Vessel did not impact any unintended object

ð    Approach was well planned taking into account capability of vessel,wind, current and vessel traffic

ð    Crew did not secure from docking stations until command given

VII. After Securing from Being Underway

ð    Ensured all equipment was properly stored

ð    Ensured all navigation equipment, lights and electronic gear was turned off

ð    Briefed crew on safe and proper way to attach electrical cords, made proper connection to shore power 

ð    Briefed crew on activities to take place, training, etc. for remainder of day

ð    Ensured that mess crew is prepared, understood meal and how to prepare the meal

ð    Ensured that mess crew understood safety related to stove

ð    Ensured that mess is clean and all is cleaned up after meal

VIII.Debriefing of Crew

ð       Conducted a debriefing of the crew, asked for suggestions to do better as well as what went well during the day

ð       If necessary conducted counseling privately for individual crew members

ð       Praised the crew for what they did well and suggested improvements for things that did not go well

ð       Conducted additional remedial training if necessary

• Stay out of the cabin - The cabin often accentuates the feeling that leads to motion sickness.  The cause is a lack of reference for your eyes.
• Stay in the center of the boat - Sit in the front of the cockpit, low on the seats, and resist swaying.
• Keep an eye on the horizon - The horizon will help your eyes and inner ear match, therefore less sickness. 
• Keep busy - If you stay busy then your mind will not notice the heaving seas. Take the helm, trim the sails, clean the deck, or take a bearing for the navigator.
• Don't read or text - If you focus your attention on a book or cell phone, it's motion will not match the motion of your head.  Therefore the mismatch between what your eyes see and your ears fee will be accentuated and sickness may follow.