Practical Deck Seamanship Course: Watches, Bells & Lookout Duties

1. ORD-11 Ordinary Practical Deck Seamanship Instructors: George Crowl

2. Course Outline (1) • a. Name the seven watches and bell time • b. Explain the duties of a lookout and demonstrate how to report objects in view and wind directions with respect to the vessel • c. Name relative bearings expressed in degrees • d. While underway serve as a lookout for one watch

3. Course Outline (2) • e. Demonstrate the use of wheel or helm commands as found in the Sea Scout Manual • f. Supervise and contribute to the cruise log for three days of cruising (one cruise or a combination of day cruises). Submit the cruise logs to your skipper.

4. ORD-11a a. Name the seven watches and bell time

5. 2-Section Dogged Watch Name Time Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 First watch 2000-0000 Team 1Team 2Team 1 Middle watch 0000-0400 Team 2Team 1Team 2 Morning watch 0400-0800 Team 1Team 2Team 1 Forenoon watch 0800-1200 Team 2Team 1Team 2 Afternoon watch 1200-1600 Team 1Team 2Team 1 First dog watch 1600-1800 Team 2Team 1Team 2 Last dog watch 1800-2000 Team 1Team 2Team 1

6. Ship's Bells Number of bells Bell pattern Hour (a.m. and p.m.) One bell 1 12:30 4:30 8:30 Two bells 2 1:00 5:00 9:00 Three bells 2 1 1:30 5:30 9:30 Four bells 2 2 2:00 6:00 10:00 Five bells 2 2 1 2:30 6:30 10:30 Six bells 2 2 2 3:00 7:00 11:00 Seven bells 2 2 2 1 3:30 7:30 11:30 Eight bells 2 2 2 2 4:00 8:00 12:00 •• •• •• ••

7. Question • It is the forenoon watch, you hear the following pattern of bells struck – • • • • • What time is it? It is the first watch, you hear the following pattern of bells struck – • • • • • • • What time is it?

8. ORD-11b Explain the duties of a lookout and demonstrate how to report objects in view and wind directions with respect to the vessel

9. Lookout Duties • Rules of the Road require to keep good lookout • Stationed where there is the best visibility • Ability to communicate with helm / bridge • In the bow, must face helm & shout, insure the call is acknowledged • Stern lookout in fog or reverse • Anchor lookout may be needed • Good vision – wear glasses!

10. What to Report • Relative bearing, course and speed of vessels that may affect your vessel • Relative bearing not changing = collision course • ATONs, channels, obstructions, hazards • A crab pot may be reportable in your vessel • Relative wind direction and strength

11. ORD-11c c. Name relative bearings expressed in degrees

12. Relative Bearings • Referenced to the bow of the boat • Bow is 000°, starboard beam is 090°, stern is 180°, port beam is 270°

13. Clock System Bearings • 360° ÷ 12 = 30° per clock number • 030, 060, 090, 120, 150, 180, 210, 240, 270, 300, 330, 360 • Interpolate in between as needed

14. Pelorus • Provides precise bearings • Sighting bars • Reads relative bearing • Some have scales to convert to true / mag bearings

15. Converting Relative Bearings • Ship heading 045°T, relative bearing 090°, true bearing = 135°. 045 TH + 090 RB = 135 TB • Always add heading (TH, MH, CH) to relative bearing (RB) to get bearing (TB, MB, CB) • If total is greater than 360, subtract 360. CH 295 + RB 150 = 445 – 360 = CB 085. • Compass heading (CH) + RB = CB • Magnetic heading (MH) + RB = MB • True heading (TH) + RB = TB (true bearing)

16. Practice Problems • TH 037 CH 128 MH 205 TH 268 CH 333 • RB 128 RB 222 RB 027 RB 097 RB 175 • TB 165 CB 350 MB 232 TB 365 - 360 005 • MH 307 CH 356 TH 007 MH 123 TH 267 • RB 045 RB 330 RB 355 RB 098 RB 145

17. ORD-11d d. While underway, serve as a lookout for one watch

18. ORD-11e e. Demonstrate the use of wheel or helm commands found in the Sea Scout Manual

19. Wheel or Helm Orders • Commands are right / left rudder, or heading • Right rudder turns boat right • Boats vary in how much rudder is available • Big boats may have less rudder available • Rudder over 45° slows boat, not faster turn • Rudder angle indicator, or tiller, shows position • Middle size wheel boats may have no indicator

20. Rudder Commands (1) • RIGHT FULL RUDDER = max deflection right • RUDDER AMIDSHIPS = center the rudder • RUDDER 15° RIGHT = rudder 15° right & hold it • EASE THE RUDDER = start to move it back • EASE TO 10° = move it back to 10° • HANDSOMELY = slowly • MEET HER = slow down the swing of the bow

21. Rudder Commands (2) • NOTHING TO THE RIGHT = cannot go to the right, but can go a little bit left of heading • SHIFT YOUR RUDDER = put the rudder the same amount on the other side • MIND YOUR RUDDER = 1) stand by for an order, 2) pay better attention to your steering • Repeat any order. When you have accomplished it, repeat it again to show compliance.

22. Heading Commands • STEADY AS YOU GO = hold your heading • STEER HEADING 045° = turn to and hold heading 045°. • STEER COURSE 045° = maintain the course line on the chartplotter • Wind and waves will buffet the ship. You can anticipate and hold heading closer. • Look on far shore (or a low star) for a line-up point that matches your compass, aim for it

23. ORD-11f f. Supervise and contribute to the cruise log for three days of cruising (one cruise or a combination of day cruises). Submit the cruise logs to your skipper.

24. One Cruise Log (1) • Ship 1996 Cruise Log • 0800 ___________________________________ • 0900 ___________________________________ • 1000 ___________________________________ • 1100 ___________________________________ • 1200 ___________________________________ • 1300 ___________________________________ • Etc. ____________________________________ • Evening ________________________________

25. One Cruise Log (2) • Where were you? _________________________ • What did the ship do today? ________________ • What did you do today? ____________________ • What was it like? __________________________ • What was today's high point? _______________ • What was today's low point? ________________

26. Questions?