NIGHT ORDER BOOK
The-following general remarks are quoted from the Instructions issued to hisWatch Officers by a seaman and shipmaster of wide experience and success.LOOKOUT:
The word means exactly what it reads: - LOOKOUT. to watch, to bestow careful-attention, in fact it means to see everything that is round about you inthe area of visibility. We might well say that a good lookout is the safety valve of Navigation. If it is of such importance during the day, how much more so during thenight, when our vision is restricted.The Supreme Court of the United States has said- - The duty or the lookout, is of thehighest importance. Upon nothing else does the safety of those concerned so muchdepend: In the performance of this duty, the law requires indefatigable care andsleepless vigilance. Lookouts are valueless unless they are properly stationed andvigilantly employed in the performance of their duties.This applies equally to the Officer on watch as to man on the LOOKOUT, and thatnecessary keen, lookout. On the Bridge cannot be maintained without alertness on part of the Watch officer.All efforts at economy fade into insignificance when compared with the safenavigation of the ship. When in collision or ashore, then costs commence to pile up.A good LOOKOUT will help us to avoid those situations.
EVERYTHING
on the surface of the ocean is of importance to the Watch Officer. Itmay be a lifeboat with men in boats being passed close by, without being seen by thesteamers, and left to their fate. The Officer on watch was asleep or spinning a yarnwith the helmsman. He would have been better dead.
COURSES:
All courses for the night will be given as true and by the GyroCompass, when, its accuracy is determined and it is functioning properly. As you areaware, the Variation changes so rapidly in many localities, it is not feasible to give aStandard Compass Course that would agree with the Gyro throughout the night.When it is possible to do so, the Standard Compass course will also be indicated.
CHECK ON COMPASSES: The
gyrocompass is a mechanical unit depending onoutside electrical force. With the loss of this force it naturally ceases to function,hence careful check and comparison must be kept between it and the StandardCompass. Instruct the man at the wheel to right along glance at the steering compassand to hail you immediately if there is more than the usual difference between it andthe Gyro Course. You can glance in there frequently yourself without disturbing theman at the wheel but the regular conning at least once every hour must not beneglected.
CAUTION
:There are times when the voltage might drop slowly and the alarm bellnot function, then the Gyro might fall off meridian gradually, making it difficult todetect. If it is all clear at night, such a move can be detected by the line up of theforemast with some particular star, and if Polaris is available you have a constantcheck as you pace back and forth. It is evident if a careful LOOKOUT is maintainedthere will not be much deviation from.