Chapter 2 · Lesson 1Onboard activity · about 5 minutes

First walk around the bridge

Recognise the main bridge equipment, understand what each item contributes and know the limits of a junior deckhand's role.

Video coming soon

First walk around the bridge

In the video

  • What the chart display, radar and AIS each contribute
  • Where the helm, propulsion, autopilot, depth, radios and light controls are
  • Locating emergency equipment without testing or activating it
  • Asking what you may operate, and under whose instruction

From the captain

Before you start

Every bridge looks slightly different. Some resemble an aircraft cockpit; others appear to have been designed by somebody with a personal grudge against spare desk space. Your first job is simply to learn what is where.

By the end of this lesson

Locate the bridge equipment and distinguish what it shows from what you may operate.

See it

See it for yourself

Know where it is. Ask before you touch it.

Find each item on an example console, then switch to Operate: pointing something out is not permission to use it.

Chart displayRadarAISDepthVHF radiosNavigationlightsAutopilotHelmPropulsionGMDSSAsk what you may operateExample layout only

Pick a name to see where it is on this example console. Every bridge looks slightly different: learn your own vessel's layout.

Illustration · generic console · screens blank · every bridge is laid out differently · your vessel's familiarisation governs

What to look for

  • Ask what the display contributes

    A chart, radar and AIS provide different information. Learn which display you are viewing and the source of the information before reporting it.

  • Separate location from operation

    Pointing out a control is familiarisation. Changing settings, acknowledging alarms or testing emergency equipment needs the vessel's instruction and authority.

The lesson

The lesson

  1. 01

    The navigation picture

    The chart display shows the vessel against charted information. Radar detects returns from vessels, land and other objects. AIS can provide transmitted identity and movement data from suitably equipped vessels. They support one another, but none is a magic truth machine. As a junior lookout, observe and report; the officer of the watch interprets and acts.

  2. 02

    Control and communication

    Know the location of the helm, propulsion controls, autopilot, depth information, VHF radios and navigation-light controls. Learn the words before anyone needs them quickly. Do not touch a control because you recognise it from another vessel. Ask what you may operate and under whose instruction.

  3. 03

    Emergency equipment

    During familiarisation, locate the vessel's emergency communication and locating equipment, including the EPIRB, SART or AIS-SART where fitted, and the GMDSS installations relevant to that vessel. Learn through the vessel's induction and drills. Knowing where something is does not authorise you to test or activate it.

Where it goes wrong

A lookout is asked for the bearing of a radar contact but is not sure which display or scale they are reading. Instead of saying so, they offer a confident guess. The officer now has bad information. Uncertainty reported clearly is useful; uncertainty disguised as an answer is dangerous.

Your call

What would you do?

Pick one, then read the feedback on all three.

The situation

The AIS screen has no target where you can see a small boat outside.

Take it aboard

A bridge walk with the officer

Do this during your induction or first weeks, with the person responsible for your work.

Walk-through aboard

Arrange a quiet familiarisation before your first assigned watch.

  1. 01Locate chart, radar, AIS, depth, helm and radios.
  2. 02Ask what each item contributes and what you may touch.
  3. 03Identify the alarm reporting route and emergency-equipment locations without activation.

What a useful result looks like

  • You can identify the actual display.
  • No emergency test or unrequested control change occurs.

Stop: Pause the exercise when watch workload rises; do not photograph live routes or private displays.

Deckhand Foundation · Job card

Bridge familiarisation

From the lesson: First walk around the bridge

  • Main displays located.
  • Controls and permissions understood.
  • Alarm and uncertainty reporting agreed.
  • Emergency equipment located through induction.

Equipment still to learn

Officer briefing / next question

Your vessel's procedures and senior crew come first. Nothing on this card is stored.

Quick check

Four decisions, then move on

This check confirms the principle. Your vessel's own induction still comes first.

QUESTION 01What is the junior lookout's role when viewing radar or AIS information?
QUESTION 02You recognise a control from another vessel. What should you do?
QUESTION 03What should you do if you cannot read the requested bearing confidently?
QUESTION 04How should emergency equipment be learned?

0 of 4 answered

Answer all four to check your understanding.