Reporting
The OOW should be aware that ships have an obligation under SOLAS to broadcast danger messages to ships in the area and the nearest coast station notifying the following conditions:
· dangerous ice;
· a dangerous derelict or any other direct danger to navigation;
· a tropical storm;
· sub-freezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures;
· winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received.
The safety signal should be used when announcing danger messages.
Search and rescue
The OOW should be aware that ships have search and rescue (SAR) obligations under SOLAS.
Ships that are in a position to provide assistance, on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, are bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance. Ships can also be requisitioned to provide assistance.
During SAR operations, ship-to-ship communication should be by VHF or MF. Satellite channels should be kept free for communications with rescue coordination centres.
Guidance on search and rescue activity can be found in the MERSAR/IAMSAR Manuals, published by IMO.
Helicopter operations
The OOW of a ship that is likely to be engaged in the transfer of personnel or stores by helicopter should become familiar with the ICS Guide to Helicopter/Ship Operations'.
Piracy
The OOW of a ship that is likely to operate in waters that may present a risk of attack by pirates or armed robbers should be familiar with the ISF publication 'Pirates and Armed Robbers: A Master's Guide.
