Watch Standing Technology

A whole bunch of newfangled high-tech stuff to help with avoiding potential collisions.

Article by Jerry Culik

“There’s no ambiguity when it comes to what your priority must be when standing watch. In fact, the COLREGS (Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea) define it in a single sentence: “Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances and conditions so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and of the risk of collision.” [U.S. Coast Guard Navigation Rules, Rule 5].”

“While the term “all available means” includes collision-avoidance methods that seaman have used for centuries (i.e., staying alert and maintaining a good lookout), for today’s mariner it also encompasses the use of modern electronics like radar, AIS, and VHF radio…Avoid overreliance on electronics and the complacency it can generate, however. Never let a glance at the radar or chart plotter replace making a visual sweep of what’s going on around you.”

So advises How To Stand a Proper Watch, from the folks at BoatUS. My 40-year-old copy of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boating Skills & Seamanship is much more explicit— and concise: “Every vessel must maintain a proper lookout and always proceed at a safe speed so that she can take proper and effective action to avoid collision.” And it then goes on to explain the rules of the road, er, water…Back in those days (and still today), “proper lookout” meant literally “looking” out. Small boats didn’t have AIS, let alone radar or anything else. Eyes—and ears in fog—were all we had. But today, the term can include a whole bunch of newfangled high-tech stuff to help with avoiding potential collisions.