STCW Chapter VIII Watch keeping
Regulation VlIl/l
Fitness for duly
1 Each Administration shall. for the purpose of preventing fatigue:
.1 establish and enforce rest periods for watchkeeping personnel and those whose dUlies involve designated safety, security and prevention of pollution duties
.2 require thaI watch systems are so arranged that the efficiency of all watchkeeping personnel is not impaired by fatigue and that duries are so organized that the first watch after commencement of a voyage and subsequent relieving watches are sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for duty.
2 Each Administration shall, for the purpose of preventing drug and alcohol abuse, ensure that adequate measures are established in accordance with the provisions of section A-Vlll/l while taking into account the gUidance given in section BNIII/I of the STeW Code. Regulation VIIII2
Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed
1 Administrations shall direct the attention of companies, masters, chief engineer officers and all watchkeeping personnel to the requirements, principles and gUidance set out in the STCW Code which shall be observed to ensure that a safe continuous watch or watches appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions are maintained on all seagoing ships at all times.
2 Administrations shall require the master of every ship to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining a safe watch or watches, taking into account the prevailing circumstances and conditions and that, under the master's general direction:
.1 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;
.2 radio opertors are responSible for maintaining a continuous radio walch on appropriate frequencies during their periods of duty;
.3 officers in charge of an engineering watch, as defined in the STCW Code, 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;
.4 an appropriate and effective watch or 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 organization of such watch or watches takes full accounl of Ihe nature, quantity, packing and stowage of Ihe hazardous cargo and of any special conditions prevailing on board, afloal or ashore; and
.5 as applicable, an appropriate and effective walch or watches are maintained for the purposes of security.