Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMerchant Shipping (Training, Certification and Safe Manning) Regulations, 2021AnnexuresAnnexure 2 : Watchkeeping Arrangements and Principles for Ships other than Fishing VesselsPart 4-1 : Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch8. Watch arrangements |
| 18 | When deciding the composition of the watch on the bridge, which may include appropriately qualified ratings, the following factors, inter alia, shall be taken into account: |
| .1 | At no time shall the bridge be left unattended; |
| .2 | weather conditions, visibility and whether there is daylight or darkness; |
| .3 | proximity of navigational hazards which may make it necessary for the officer in charge of the watch to carry out additional navigational duties; |
| .4 | use and operational condition of navigational aids such as ECDIS, radar or electronic position-indicating devices and any other equipment affecting the safe navigation of the ship; |
| .5 | whether the ship is fitted with automatic steering; |
| .6 | whether there are radio duties to be performed; |
| .7 | unmanned machinery space (UMS) controls, alarms and indicators provided on the bridge, procedures for their use and their limitations; and |
| .8 | any unusual demands on the navigational watch that may arise as a result of special operational circumstances. |