Owners must ensure appropriate crewing including consideration for navigational watches to ensure safe vessel operation.
The vessel's safety management system must contain a record of the appropriate crewing evaluation to safely conduct all vessel operations.
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Navigational watch
Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency—national law) 2022 provides flexibility about who can be in charge of a navigational watch, including providing for appropriately certificated crew to do so on larger vessels.
A deck watchkeeper is defined as the crew member in charge of navigational or cargo watch.
Certificate of Competency holders certified to undertake navigational watchkeeping duties on larger vessels.
| Near Coastal Certificates of Competency | Certified to perform the watchkeeping duties as follows: |
|---|---|
| Coxswain Grade 1 | chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel <24 m in inshore waters |
| Sailing Master Coastal | chief mate or deck watchkeeper of a sailing vessel <45 m in inshore waters |
| Sailing Master Offshore | chief mate or deck watchkeeper of a sailing vessel <45 m in EEZ |
| Master <24m | chief mate on a vessel <45 m in EEZ deck watchkeeper on a vessel <100 m and <3000 GT in EEZ chief mate on a vessel <100 m and <3000 GT in inshore waters |
| Master <45m | chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel <100 m and <3000 GT in EEZ |
Frequently asked questions
Have watchkeeping rules changed?
No.
The legislative requirement for appropriately certificated individuals to be in-charge of a navigational watch remains unchanged despite recent changes to Marine Orders 505 (Certificates of competency) and 504 (Certificate of operation).
Can a general purpose hand (GPH) or deck hand be in charge of navigational watch?
No.
If working as a certificated GPH or uncertificated deckhand, you can’t be in-charge of navigational watch.
Only an appropriately certified individual can be in-charge of the vessel’s navigational watch.
Refer to Marine Order 505 Schedule 1 to view the duties and functions each certificate of competency permits.
Why can’t deckhands perform the same duties unsupervised as a general purpose hand (GPH)?
Unlike an uncertificated deck hand, the holder of a GPH certificate of competency has attained the skills and knowledge required to perform certain tasks on a domestic commercial vessel.
A person holding a GPH certificate of competency has the skills and qualifications to perform tasks, including the following, under general supervision on DCVs:
- operating deck machinery and emergency stops,
- help secure vessel at anchor,
- performing basic lookout tasks and emergency procedures.
A deck hand cannot perform these tasks without direct supervision.
What is the difference between ‘direct’ and ‘general’ supervision?
Definitions for ‘direct’ and ‘general’ supervision are available on our website at the links below.
Supervisory definitions (amsa.gov.au)
General Purpose Hand near coastal (amsa.gov.au)
Anchor watch
You must have a safety management system that identifies, documents, and manages all risks associated with operating a DCV.
It must include systems and procedures for the safety of the vessel, the environment, and individuals on or near the anchored vessel.
You need to consider the following factors to determine if your vessel must remain under continuous watch at anchor:
- Operational risks and any appropriate systems or procedures to mitigate them.
- Application of the collision regulations (COLREGS).
The master must ensure that they assign an appropriately certificated crew member to the anchor watch.
A crew member without certification can only undertake anchor watch if directly supervised by an appropriately certificated person.
Read more about direct supervision.
Anchor watch responsibilities
The anchor watch is responsible for:
- determining and plotting the vessel’s position on the appropriate chart as soon as practicable;
- checking the vessel remains secure at anchor by taking regular bearings of fixed navigation marks or identifiable shore objects;
- maintaining constant and proper lookout at all times;
- regular inspection rounds of the vessel;
- monitoring meteorological and tidal conditions and the sea state, and their effect on the vessel;
- notifying the master and taking all necessary measures if the vessel drags anchor;
- the readiness of main engines and other machinery, under the master’s instructions;
- notifying the master when visibility deteriorates;
- ensuring that the vessel exhibits the appropriate lights and shapes and that appropriate sound signals are made in accordance with all applicable regulations; and
- protecting the environment from vessel pollution and complying with applicable pollution regulations.
Frequently asked questions
Can a certificated general purpose hand (GPH) undertake an anchor watch?
Yes.
An appropriately certificated person must be available to command and operate the vessel when required.
The SMS and appropriate crewing evaluation must provide for this.
A certificated GPH can perform anchor watch when under general supervision by an appropriately certificated person.
The supervisor provides guidance and maintains communication with the GPH without constant presence.
This is the difference between general and direct supervision.
Can a deck hand undertake an anchor watch?
To undertake an anchor watch, an uncertificated deckhand needs direct supervision from an appropriately certificated person.
Direct supervision means the deckhand must be frequently within sight and hearing of their supervisor.
Navigation and anchor watch example scenarios
Navigation watchkeeping - example scenarios
- 6.2m abalone fishing vessel (Class 3C) with 55kW (74hp) propulsion power
This vessel operates within one nautical mile of the shore in the abalone fishery.
The owner, a diver and Coxswain Grade 1 NC, requires a deckhand to assume control of the vessel if necessary.
They might need this when they are in the water or unable to perform their duties.
The deckhand holds a current recreational boating licence, a current first aid certificate and has experience working on domestic commercial vessels.
The owner requires the deckhand to have a Coxswain Grade 3 NC certificate of competency.
The owner is satisfied that the deckhand meets the eligibility requirements, helps them complete an application for a new certificate before the deckhand lodges the application at an AMSA-contracted Australia Post outlet.
- 22.8m fishing vessel (Class 3C) with 670kW (898hp) propulsion power
The owner recently purchased this vessel, and it will need to travel from its home port to fishing grounds every year.
The vessel will stay in location for about 8 months before returning home for maintenance.
As part of developing their safety management system’s appropriate crewing evaluation, the owner is considering the navigational watch requirements for the voyage.
The owner determines the vessel can undertake the voyage within inshore waters.
They opt for a Master <24m NC with MED2 as the Master/Engineer and a Coxswain Grade 1 NC as the Chief Mate.
Recent changes to Marine Order 505 now allow Coxswain Grade 1 NC to act as a chief mate in inshore waters on vessels <24m long.
The owner updates the crewing evaluation to include a Coxswain Grade 1 NC as Chief Mate, ensuring all crew receive sufficient rest to manage the risk of fatigue.
- 42.7m propelled landing barge (Class 2B) with 477kW (640hp) propulsion power
This vessel operates a return voyage for up to 6-days, taking cargo to communities in remote parts of the country.
Recent changes to Marine Order 505 allow the owner to use a Master <24m NC as Chief Mate on a vessel <45m in the EEZ.
The owner amends the appropriate crewing evaluation to state that a Master <24m NC can perform the duties of Chief Mate, ensuring all crew receive sufficient rest to manage the risk of fatigue.
- 24.9m passenger vessel (Class 1C) with 202kW (270hp) propulsion power – use of STCW certificated crew
This vessel operates within 30 nautical miles seaward of the coast, a regular ferry service between a local island and the mainland.
The upcoming retirement of a long-serving master has prompted the owner to advertise for a replacement.
The owner receives several applications, including one from a person who holds an AMSA-issued Mate <500 GT and is looking for work locally.
After interviews, the owner selects the Mate <500 GT who is qualified to be a Master <45m NC on a domestic commercial vessel under Marine Order 505.
The owner updates their appropriate crewing evaluation to include the use of a Mate <500 GT as master.
The owner may accept a suitably qualified STCW certificate holder with a valid overseas issued certificate, provided they have a current Certificate of Recognition from AMSA.
Learn more about certificates of recognition.
Anchor watch - example scenarios
- 6.2m abalone fishing vessel (Class 3C) with 55kW (74hp) propulsion power
This vessel operates within one nautical mile of the shore in the abalone fishery.
The owner, a certified diver, needs the deckhand to manage the anchor watch while they’re in the water.
The owner-diver will maintain continuous two-way communication with the deckhand.
The deckhand holds a current recreational boating licence, a current first aid certificate and has experience working on domestic commercial vessels.
The owner needs the deckhand to have a General Purpose Hand NC certificate of competency as they will be alone on board during diving operations.
The owner helps the deckhand complete the GPH training course, medical and eyesight requirements, and lodging the complete application at an AMSA-contracted Australia Post outlet.
Note: If the owner/master can’t maintain two-way communication with the deckhand while diving, a certified Coxswain Grade 3 NC can manage the anchor watch.
- 26m fishing vessel (Class 3C) with 670kW (898hp) propulsion power
The master and crew of a fishing vessel undertake trawling operations at night and rest during daylight hours in a bay on the leeward side of an island.
The master considers all risks and precautions, including:
- risks associated with anchoring in the bay (e.g., remoteness, daylight hours)
- having appropriate systems, such as an anchor alarm and AIS
- procedures for responding to emergencies and inclement weather.
They decide it is unnecessary to maintain a continuous watch.
Where the master determines an anchor watch is required, they ensure only appropriately certificated crew, such as a certificated General Purpose Hand, undertake this task.