Circular Letter 
STCW.7/Circ.14

GUIDANCE FOR MASTERS ON KEEPING A SAFE ANCHOR WATCH

(24 May 2004)

1. The Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping, at its thirty-fifth session (26 to 30 January 2004), considered the requirements in section A-VIII of the STCW Code relating to watchkeeping requirements at anchor after seeking the advice of the NAV Sub-Committee as this was an operational matter.

2. The Sub-Committee, noting the advice issued by the NAV Sub-Committee, developed additional guidance for masters on keeping a safe anchor watch, set out at annex.

3. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-eighth session (12 to 21 May 2004), approved the circulation of this guidance for masters on keeping a safe anchor watch.

4. Member Governments are invited to bring the guidance to the attention of those concerned.

ANNEX.
GUIDANCE FOR MASTERS ON KEEPING A SAFE ANCHOR WATCH

1. The master of every ship at an unsheltered anchorage, at an open roadstead or any other virtually "at sea" conditions in accordance with chapter VIII, section A-VIII/2, part 3-1, paragraph 51 of the STCW Code, is bound to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining a safe watch at all times. A deck officer shall at all times maintain responsibility for a safe anchor watch.

2. In determining the watchkeeping arrangements, and commensurate with maintaining the ship s safety and security and the protection of the marine environment, the master shall take into account all pertinent circumstances and conditions such as:

.1 maintaining a continuous state of vigilance by sight and hearing as well as by all other available means;

.2 ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication requirements;

.3 the prevailing weather, sea, ice and current conditions;