Section 41 in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
41. Watch-keeping arrangements and principles to be observed. - (1) Masters, Chief Engineer Officers and all Watch-keeping personnel on board their ships shall comply with the requirements, principles and guidance set out in section A-V11/2 of the STCW Code. The requirements shall be observed to ensure that safe continuous watches appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions are maintained in aI/ sea-going ships at all times.
(2)The Master of every ship shall ensure that Watch-keeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining safe watches, taking into account the prevailing circumstances and conditions and that, under the Masters general direction -(i)officers in charge of the navigational watch are responsible for navigating the ship safely during their periods of duty when they shall be physically present on the navigating bridge or in a directly associated location such as the chartroom or bridge control room at all times;(ii)radio operators are responsible for maintaining a continuous radio watch on appropriate frequencies during their periods of duty;(iii)officer in charge of an engineering watch under the direction of the Chief Engineer Officer, shall be immediately available and on call to attend the machinery spaces and, when required, shall be physically present in the machinery space during their periods of responsibility; and(iv)an appropriate and effective watches are maintained for the purpose of safety at all times, while the ship is at anchor or moored and, if the ship is carrying hazardous cargo, the organisation of such watches takes full account of the nature, quantity, packing and stowage of the hazardous cargo and of any special conditions prevailing on board, afloat or ashore.
