List the key information you must pass to the relieving officer at watch handover, and describe when you should delay the handover.

A. WATCH HANDOVER — STCW REQUIREMENTS (Code A-VIII/2 Para 18-22): INFORMATION TO PASS: (1) POSITION: vessel's position, method of fixing, last fix time and accuracy; (2) COURSE and any helm limitations; (3) SPEED and any engine status; (4) TRAFFIC: all vessels in company, tracked targets on ARPA, bearing/range, CPA/TCPA of any concerns; (5) VISIBILITY: current visibility, any changes expected; (6) WEATHER: current wind and sea state, barometric trend, any forecast change; (7) MASTER'S ORDERS: any special instructions, standing orders, night orders; (8) LOOKOUT: who is on lookout, any special instructions; (9) ALARMS: any alarms currently active or recently activated; (10) EQUIPMENT: any navigation or communication equipment defects; (11) LIGHTS: own vessel lights confirmed on; (12) DEPTH: current depth if in coastal waters; next waypoint, ETA; (13) DRAFT: any draft constraints in current area; (14) TIDAL INFORMATION: current tidal stream, when it changes; (15) ANY OTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION. WHEN TO DELAY HANDOVER: (a) If a manoeuvre or action is in progress — complete it first; (b) If the relieving officer appears to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs; (c) If the relieving officer appears unfit — illness, fatigue; (d) If a close-quarters situation is developing — do NOT hand over mid-manoeuvre; (e) If the relieving officer has not been properly briefed — take more time.

B. Watch handover requires only course, speed, and position. All other information is available on bridge instruments and the relieving officer can assess conditions themselves.

C. The relieving officer takes the watch as soon as they arrive on the bridge. No formal handover is required as STCW specifies that the incoming officer bears full responsibility from arrival.

D. Handover should always occur at exactly the scheduled time regardless of conditions — delaying handover is a disciplinary matter.

A. PROPER LOOKOUT — RULE 5 PRACTICAL REQUIREMENTS: COLREG Rule 5: 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. IN PRACTICE: (1) VISUAL: dedicated lookout person on watch — not the helmsman (who must watch the compass and not the horizon). In darkness, allow 20 minutes dark adaptation before lookout duty. Scan systematically — not just dead ahead; (2) HEARING: in restricted visibility — listen for fog signals from other vessels; in any conditions — listen for distress signals (flares, gunshots, horn signals, shouting from water); (3) RADAR: keep radar on and properly tuned — ARPA tracking active. Radar supplements but does not replace visual lookout; (4) AIS: monitor AIS display — be aware of other vessels' identities, courses, speeds. AIS complements radar; (5) VHF: monitor Ch 16 — NAVTEX for warnings; (6) NIGHT ORDERS: follow master's night orders on when to call; (7) NOT ACCEPTABLE: OOW alone on bridge in darkness — STCW Code A-VIII/2 Para 13 and 14 specify that a single OOW may keep watch only if ECDIS/radar is providing collision avoidance assistance AND the OOW can call additional lookout immediately; (8) STCW MINIMUM: many administrations (including UK MCA) require a second person available for lookout in restricted visibility.

B. A proper lookout means the OOW must be on the bridge at all times. The OOW watching from the bridge chair satisfies COLREG Rule 5 requirements.

C. RADAR and AIS together constitute "all available means" under Rule 5. Once ARPA is running, a dedicated human visual lookout is no longer required by COLREG.

D. Rule 5 applies only in restricted visibility. In clear weather with visibility over 5nm, the OOW alone satisfies proper lookout requirements.

A. MASTER'S STANDING ORDERS — INTERPRETATION AND ACTION: SITUATION: visibility 2.1nm and dropping — you are at the threshold. THE CORRECT INTERPRETATION: the spirit of the order is to ensure the master is called before restricted visibility operations become dangerous. A literal reading — "not yet 2nm so don't call" — misses the point. ACTIONS: (1) CALL THE MASTER: call now. The order says "if visibility drops below 2nm" — at 2.1nm dropping, visibility WILL be below 2nm within minutes. The spirit of the order requires calling at the threshold or before it is breached, not after; (2) PHRASE IT CORRECTLY: "Master, OOW. Visibility currently 2.1nm and dropping. Fog appears to be closing in. You asked to be called if visibility drops below 2nm — calling you now as we approach that threshold"; (3) CONCURRENTLY: sound fog signal (one prolonged blast every 2 minutes) — Rule 35 requires this as soon as visibility is restricted. Minimum requirement for sounding fog signals is when "visibility is restricted"; (4) REDUCE SPEED: consider speed reduction — call master and recommend; (5) EXTRA LOOKOUT: post additional lookout; (6) LOG: time, visibility, fog signals commenced, master called, time. STCW Rule: always err on the side of calling the master too early rather than too late. No master has ever disciplined an OOW for calling too early. Many OOWs have been disciplined (or worse) for calling too late.

B. Visibility is 2.1nm — above the 2nm threshold. Do not call the master until visibility actually reaches 2.0nm exactly as stated in the orders.

C. Ignore the night order visibility threshold — you are OOW and in command of the bridge. The master's orders are guidance only; they cannot override your professional judgement.

D. Start fog signals and reduce speed on your own authority. Call the master only when visibility reaches 1nm — this prevents unnecessary disturbance.