Topic 1 Bridge Teamwork

Starter

1. What is similar and different between the teams?

1. 2.

2. Discuss.

1. Is it easy or difficult to work in a team?

2. Can you work as a team member?

3. Do people of different nationalities experience any difficulties working together? If yes, which ones?

Vocabulary

1 Match the synonyms.

1 support 2 comprise 3 be in charge of 4 impact 5 established 6 with respect to 7 routinely 8 circumstances 9 monitoring 10 awareness 11 enabling 12 non-essential

a unimportant b giving a chance, possibility c knowledge d controlling e situations f regularly at fixed time g about h said, stated i influence j be responsible for k include l help, assist

2 Complete with the words from activity 1.

1. Distractions which are ________ should be suppressed or removed.

2. Individuals should be reassigned to other locations as __________ may require.

3. For ___________ the navigational situation equipment should be readily available.

4. The officer who ____________ navigational watch should take into account any malfunction which may exist in making operational decisions.

5. ___________ materials should not be placed on the bridge or any work surface.

6. Efficient performance of bridge team duties has _________ on the safety of life and property at sea and on preventing pollution of the marine environment.

7. As it is _________ in STCW Code all members of the navigational watch should be appropriately qualified

3 Recall your onboard practice and make proper statements.

The bridge organization	should be	used to establish the levels of manning appropriate to any ship.
General principles of safe manning		monitored to eliminate the risk that could result in a dangerous situation .
Good communication		properly supported by a clear navigation policy.
The OOW		aware of response times any limitations on their movements.
Designated personnel		in charge of the bridge team for that watch, until relieved.
Effective bridge work		promoted by an effective bridge teamwork

4 Answer the questions:

• What are the bridge team members?

• How must the bridge team work?

• Can effective bridge team work influence navigation safety? How?

5 Read and translate the text.

The Bridge Team

All ship’s personnel who have bridge navigational watch will be part of the bridge team. The master and pilot(s), as necessary, will support the team, which will comprise the OOW, a helmsman and look-out(s) as required.

The OOW is in charge of the bridge and the bridge team for that watch, until relieved.

It is important that the bridge team works together closely, both within a particular watch and across watches, since decisions made on one watch may have an impact on another watch.

The bridge team also has an important role in maintaining communications with the engine room and other operating areas on the ship.

It should be clearly established in the company safety management system that the master has the overriding authority and responsibility to make decisions with respect to safety and pollution prevention. The master should not be constrained by a ship owner or charterer from taking any decision which in his professional judgment.

The bridge team should have a clear understanding of the information that should be routinely reported to the master, of the requirements to keep the master fully informed, and of the circumstances under which the master should be called.

Team members should be asked to confirm that they understand the tasks and duties assigned to them. The positive reporting on events while undertaking tasks and duties is one way monitoring the performance of bridge team members and detecting any deterioration in watchkeeping performance.

A bridge team which has a plan that is understood and is well briefed, with all members supporting each other, will have good situation awareness. Its members will then be able to anticipate dangerous situations arising and recognize the development of a chain of errors, thus enabling them to take action to break the sequence.

All non-essential activity on the bridge should be avoided.

6 Read the text again and underline the sentences describing bridge teamwork efficiency.

7 Complete with the words from the box. There are three extra words.

communications influence performed judgment arrangements circumstances information the look - out the team

1. A number of __________ and conditions could _____________at any time the actual watchkeeping arrangements and arrangements and bridge manning levels.

2. The bridge team has a significant _________________.

3. Tasks should be ___________ according to a clear order of priority.

4. All essential ___________ should be collected, processed and interpreted.

5. When the pilot is on board a ship he will temporarily join ___________ and should be supported accordingly.

8 Are the statements true or false? Correct the false ones.

1. Only officers are included into a bridge team.__

2. The master is always the head of the bridge team.__

3. Owners and charterers may influence the master’s decisions.__

4. Team members should confirm that they understand their duties.__

5. Well informed and instructed bridge team is more efficient.__

6. All essential work on the bridge should not be avoided.__