Voyager Notes: Section 4: Shipboard Routines

ASA 108 Skills: Shipboard Routines

From the ASA list of skills required at the 108 standard: skills 17-21

We all have our opinions about these topics. I have mine based on experience and modified by circumstances. 

Shipboard Routines

A fundamental part of a voyage is to assign each crew an emergency task. Secondarily, each crew has areas of expertise to be utilized by the voyage. A good cook is precious, for example. Utilize that skill appropriately! The shipboard routine must include each crew doing those specific things to which they are assigned. The jobs should be assigned and inspected by the skipper.

Short handed sailors cross train. This is a "best practice" for crew of all sizes. No one should be the exclusive keeper of important knowledge. Many voyaging couples write about the natural tendency for pink and blue jobs. yet, the way they blend and are shared is interesting and seldom stereotyped. Before setting off, determine what the crew enjoy doing and/or are good at so that tasks can be divided in practical ways.

17. Describe three (3) watch-keeping systems and the advantages and disadvantages of each.

My first thought is that watches and watch keeping will change as the voyage progresses. Watch keeping is a function of many things and no hard and fast rules always apply: 

By way of an anecdote, I recall our Japan Long Beach trip on a 65 foot ex-racing machine. As we departed Japan, the wind built to 40 knots and the seas built to "really big and confused." For a while, it was four hours on and four hours off with three persons on each watch. The next day or so, we moved to two person watches of three hours on and six hours off. Finally, the watch routine moved to one person steering and everyone else "off." We were one hour on and five hours off. No doubt other sailors will quibble with our routine but that's what the skipper felt was wisest and those of us in crew agreed.

1. Divide the crew into two watches, each with a watch captain, and use the four on and four off routine. There are a couple techniques there to rotate crew mid watch by staggering the two watches in sub-watches. One example: A is on from 12-4. B is on from 2-6. C is on from 4-8. D is on from 6-10. A comes on again at 8-12 and so on. This allows for excellent knowledge transfer from watch to watch. It is similar to the two crew standing one watch together in terms of rest.

2. Divide the crew into two watches each, with a watch captain, and use the so-called Swedish System. One watch stands Noon to 6PM. The other watch stands 6-10PM. The first comes on at 10PM and stands until 2AM. The next watch is 2 to 6AM. They are replaced by a 6 to Noon watch and so on. This automatically "dogs the watch" and gives each watch a long rest each day. It is an improvement on the four on four off routine.

3. Maximize rest by arranging an ad hoc schedule that provides safe watchkeeping and allows plenty of rest. A rested crew is safer than a tired crew. A yacht that is able to be sailed wit one person on deck is not unusual. A watch routine of two on and six off with a four person crew gives everyone good rest. A unique signal (an air horn) by the watch stander calls the crew below on deck quickly. 

18. Describe alternate watch-keeping arrangements in the event crew members are incapacitated:

This depends on the nature of incapacitation. Seasick crew are often uncomfortable but not incapacitated. If someone is completely disabled, they are removed from the rotation and others must fill in. The biggest issue here is double handers. The now-single hander must be able to heave-to to rest or use autopilot. 

Avoiding such disability or injury is good seamanship. Accidents are unplanned.Planning away the opportunity for accidents is a captain's job upon which his/her career may depend.

19. Describe the duties of the on-watch and off-watch crew:

The crew on watch are responsible for operating the yacht safely. The off watch crew are responsible for themselves and their rest, in particular.

A routine must be established by the captain for various duties depending on the watch rotation. The four on, four off routine is hard on the crew who will be anxious to get enough rest when off watch. The on-watch crew, then, must be called on for maintenance matters and perhaps even meal preparation.

20.Establish a routine maintenance schedule to periodically check the following items:§  Bilges§  Sea cocks§  Rigging§  Hatches§  Helm§  Galley & supplies§ Fuel and water§  Machinery§  Safety equipment§  Electronic equipment:

      Situational awareness is the hallmark of good seamanship. It isn't something one sets up on a schedule, it is always a part of one's day. That said, some aspects of scheduling are practical. When the engine is turned off, for example, it is useful to look into the engine space and see if things look OK or not. Leading indicators are V-belt dust and/or oil leaks under the engine. 

      Bilges: Check at least once a day. This is the captain's responsibility. 

      Sea Cocks: Prior to departure operate sea cocks to determine that they work. Afterwards, there is not much to do besides keeping the open ones open and the closed ones closed.

      Rigging: Prior to departure make certain the rigging is pinned and during the voyage check that no pins are missing. This is part of the daily walk around the deck.

      Hatches and ports: Close hatches in compartments that are not occupied. If a cabin or compartment is being used and hatch needs to be open, so be it.

      Helm: The helm and steering gear must work faultlessly. If the helms person notices a change, address it immediately. Prior to departure the steering assembly must be inspected and found in good working order.

      Galley and Supplies: Assign one crew to the task of maintaining the galley and stores.

      Fuel and Water: Keep an engine log of hours run deducting fuel consumption from the total on board. This is the captain's responsibility. Water use is generally more difficult to measure. Tanks can sometimes be visually inspected. 

      Machinery: A daily inspection of machinery spaces is prudent. Prior to departure, clean the machinery spaces. A newly dirty space is the first indication something is amiss.

            

21. Set up a routine vessel cleaning schedule.
All yachts on which I make passages are kept clean all the time by each crew member. It is a common courtesy. You aren't home and mom's not mopping up after you.