KUP 15 Proficient in use of information from navigational equipment for maintaining a safe navigational watch

KUP 15 emphasizes the need for seafarers to be proficient in using information from navigational equipment to maintain a safe navigational watch. This proficiency is critical for ensuring that the vessel is navigated safely, especially in challenging conditions or congested waters. By mastering the use of navigational tools and integrating their data effectively, seafarers can significantly enhance the safety and efficiency of maritime operations.

To facilitate the understanding and application of KUP 15, which focuses on the proficient use of navigational equipment for maintaining a safe navigational watch, we introduce two simulation scenarios.

Scenario 1: Williamson turn

Learning objective: This scenario is designed to help seafarers practice the use of navigational equipment in executing a Williamson Turn which is a manoeuvre typically used to retrieve a person overboard.

The goal of this scenario is to evaluate whether the Williamson Turn has been executed effectively to return to the point where the person overboard can be safely picked up, while also assessing the speed of the maneuver. Throughout the process, the officer of the watch must demonstrate proficiency in using navigational equipment to maintain a safe navigational watch.

Scenario 2: Crossing under a bridge with multiple vessel encounters

This scenario is designed to help seafarers practice managing complex navigational situations where multiple vessels are encountered, and precise use of navigational equipment is required to avoid collisions.

• The simulation begins with the vessel approaching a bridge, which it must pass under while maintaining a safe course and speed. Before the vessel approaches the bridge, two other vessels are detected ahead. One vessel is conducting dredging operations on the starboard side, marked with appropriate signals, limiting its maneuverability. Another vessel is approaching from ahead.
• The officer of the watch must use radar, AIS, ECDIS, and visual observations to assess the situation and make decisions to safely navigate between these vessels while passing under the bridge. The officer must also consider the rules of the road (COLREGs), particularly those related to restricted maneuverability and crossing situations, while also managing the constraints posed by the bridge.