Relevant documents and M-notices: MGN 299, MGN 315, MGN 638, MGN 520, The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
At any level of oral exam, as part of general questions on safe watchkeeping, standing orders, company SMS or disciplinary procedures, the examiner may ask you about use of personal electronic devices onboard a vessel on which you work, or which is under your command.
Syllabus (from MIN 653) at OOW level:
The conduct, handover and relief of the watch conforms with accepted principles and procedures. A proper look-out is maintained at all times and in such a way as to conform to accepted principles and procedures
Thorough knowledge of the Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch
This article looks at the impact that distractions on the bridge can have on a proper look-out. The requirement to maintain a proper look-out comes from the collision regulations, Rule 5:
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.
Compliance with the collision regulations is made mandatory under the The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996:
…vessels to which these Regulations apply shall comply with the provisions of Rules 1 to 36 of and Annexes I to III to the International Regulations.
and failure to do so is made an offence under those same regulations:
Where any of these Regulations is contravened, the owner of the vessel, the master and any person for the time being responsible for the conduct of the vessel shall each be guilty of an offence, punishable on conviction on indictment by imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years and a fine…
It shall be a defence for any person charged under these Regulations to show that he took all reasonable precautions to avoid the commission of the offence.
Have a think about paragraph above, beginning ‘It shall be a defence’. Imagine you are on watch; it’s a poor night in the north sea, with heavy rain and rough seas. You have your lookout with you on the bridge and you have tuned the radar units to give you the best chance of seeing any vessels that might be nearby. You take a moment to plot the vessels position on the chart and, when you look up, you see a small fishing vessel bearing down on you. Did you take all reasonable precautions?
Now, imagine the same scenario, but instead of taking a moment to plot the vessels position on the chart you took five minutes to make a personal phone call, or five minutes to read an article on your smartphone. This is the subject of this article; distractions on the bridge.
MCA guidance on this topic
MGN 520 ‘The Deadly Dozen - 12 Significant People Factors in Maritime Safety’ looks at some of the most common factors affecting maritime safety. Two of these are of interest to us today:
Distractions Multi-Tasking OR Dangerously Distracted?
It happens very easily
Personal as well as job distractions
Use checklists and “Red Zone” techniques
If distracted – go back 2 steps
Be assertive – insist on calling back when convenient
Situational Awareness Do You REALLY Know What’s Happening?
The Big Picture AND fine detail
Constantly update your awareness
Actively seek input from others
Never assume another’s intentions
WHIM – ask: “What Have I Missed?”
Any distraction will lead to some loss of situational awareness.
In 2005 the MCA published MGN 299 - ‘Interference with safe navigation through inappropriate use of mobile phones’. From the summary:
There is growing concern that the use of mobile phones at inappropriate times is distracting Bridge Management Teams from their primary duties of navigating and conning their vessel
Interference, in this context, relates to the distraction caused by making or receiving mobile phone calls at inappropriate times during the conduct of the vessel’s navigation and conning.
Such activity is liable to demand the attention of bridge personnel when full attention should be devoted to the safe and efficient navigation of the vessel.
Ship operators are recommended to have procedures in place, in the vessel’s safety management system, as part of International Safety Management (ISM) Code compliance, to regulate the usage of mobile phone on ships’ bridges.
Consideration should also be given to prohibiting all mobile phone usage when navigational requirements demand the individual attention of all those responsible for the safe conduct of the vessel.
This was prompted by, among other incidents, the grounding of the Attilio Ievoli in the Western Solent; the vessels captain was on the phone for most of the time between the disembarkation of the pilot and the ship going aground.
MGN 299 focuses on port approaches and more navigationally complex areas, and on taking and making mobile phone calls. This was in 2005; the iPhone came out in 2007 and the rise of the smartphone changed the way we use devices.
In 2006 the MCA published MGN 315 - ‘Keeping a safe navigational watch on merchant vessels’:
The officer of the navigational watch shall…ensure there are no distractions caused by the use of domestic radios, cassettes, CD players, personal computers, television sets, mobile phones, etc
Most recently (2020) MGN 638 - ‘Distraction - the fatal dangers of mobile phones and other personal devices when working’ states that:
Despite previous guidance issued in 2005, accidents where casualties were using mobile phones or other personal electronic devices are still a cause for concern.
Use of mobile phones and other personal devices has been found to be a significant contributory factor in maritime accidents and incidents.
Take the time to read through the whole of MGN 638. This should take you around five minutes. Use the guidance from the MGN to answer the MCAQs below.
MCAQs
Where should the company have written procedures for use of personal mobile devices onboard?
When and where does the MCA recommend using personal mobile devices?
When and where does the MCA recommend that robust measures and restrictions should prevent personal mobile devices from being used?
If you do need to make a call, what should you do?
What potential affect might blue light from a personal electronic device have on your ability to see at night?
What affect might blue light have on your ability to rest effectively?