Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)RegulationsMerchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Training and Certification) Regulations, 2013Part 5 : Manning Requirements92. Watchkeeping standards |
| (1) | Owners, masters, and watchkeeping personnel shall observe the requirements and principles set out in Annexes 1 and 2, to ensure that a safe continuous watch, appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, is maintained in all ships at all times. |
| (2) | Without limiting subregulation (1), the master of every ship shall ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining a safe watch, taking into account the prevailing circumstances and conditions, and that, under the master's general direction— |
| (a) | officers in charge of the navigational watch are responsible for navigating the ship safely during their periods of duty, when they shall be physically present on the navigating bridge or in a directly associated location such as the chartroom or bridge control room at all times; |
| (b) | radio operators are responsible for maintaining a continuous radio watch on appropriate frequencies during their periods of duty; |
| (c) | officers in charge of the engineering watch, under the direction of the chief engineer officer, are immediately available and on call to attend the machinery spaces and, when required, are physically present in the machinery space during periods of duty; and |
| (d) | an appropriate and effective watch is maintained for the purpose of safety at all times, while the ship is at anchor or moored and, if the ship is carrying hazardous cargo, the organisation of the watch takes full account of the nature, quantity, packing and stowage of the hazardous cargo and of any special conditions prevailing on board, afloat or ashore. |