Who does what on the bridge — and why accidents happen when roles blur
Contents
Use the links below to jump to any section:
- The Bridge as a Team, Not a Rank Structure
- Why Defined Roles Matter More Than Experience
- Officer of the Watch (OOW / OICNW)
- Helmsman
- Lookout
- Lee Helm and Engine Order Responsibilities
- The Master on the Bridge
- Chief Mate (First Mate)
- Second Mate (Navigator)
- Third Mate
- Deck Cadet on the Bridge
- Deck Ratings in Bridge Support Roles
- How Roles Change During Manoeuvring and Pilotage
- Authority Gradient and Challenge–Response
- Common Role-Based Failure Modes
- Minimum Role Clarity Rules for Safe Watchkeeping
1. The Bridge as a Team, Not a Rank Structure
The bridge is not run by hierarchy alone — it is run by clearly defined functional roles.
Rank establishes authority and responsibility, but safety is delivered through:
- task separation
- mutual monitoring
- challenge and confirmation
- redundancy in human decision-making
Most bridge failures do not occur because someone was unqualified.
They occur because roles overlapped, disappeared, or were assumed instead of assigned.
2. Why Defined Roles Matter More Than Experience
Experience does not compensate for role confusion.
On a well-run bridge:
- everyone knows their primary task
- everyone knows who they report to
- everyone knows who is responsible for the final decision
On a poorly run bridge:
- the OOW steers, plots, and looks out
- the lookout stops looking out
- the helmsman starts “anticipating”
- junior officers stay silent
- senior officers assume others are watching
That is how perfectly calm bridges sail into grounding.
3. Officer of the Watch (OOW)
The Officer of the Watch is the single point of control on the bridge.
When the Master is not present, the OOW represents the Master.
Core responsibility
The OOW is responsible for safe navigation at all times.
This includes:
- compliance with COLREGs
- maintaining situational awareness
- monitoring the ship’s position, track, and progress
- directing the bridge team
- ensuring a proper lookout is maintained
- calling the Master when required
The OOW does not need permission to call the Master.
Failure to call is far more serious than calling too early.
The OOW must not:
- become task-saturated
- assume others are watching without confirmation
- delay decisions to gather “one more piece of information”
4. Helmsman
The Helmsman steers the vessel only on orders given.
Their role is execution, not decision-making.
Primary duties
- steer accurately to ordered course or helm angle
- repeat helm orders verbatim
- report any difficulty maintaining course
- immediately report steering anomalies
A good helmsman:
- never anticipates
- never corrects without instruction
- never assumes the order was wrong
Many steering-related accidents begin with a helmsman trying to “help.”
5. Lookout
The Lookout exists to protect the bridge from sensor blindness.
No radar, ECDIS, or AIS replaces a human lookout.
Primary duties
- maintain continuous visual watch
- maintain auditory watch (signals, engines, fog signals)
- report targets early, not when certain
- report navigation marks, lights, debris, weather changes
The lookout reports what they see, not what they think it is.
Silence is failure.
6. Lee Helm and Engine Order Responsibilities
On some ships and naval-style bridge teams, a Lee Helm transmits engine and propulsion orders.
Where fitted or assigned, the Lee Helm:
- sends engine commands exactly as ordered
- confirms engine responses
- monitors propulsion indications
On modern merchant bridges, this role is often absorbed into the OOW due to remote propulsion control.
That increases workload and must be recognised, especially during manoeuvring.
7. The Master on the Bridge
The Master (Captain) carries ultimate authority and legal responsibility at all times.
When present on the bridge:
- the Master may take the con
- the OOW may continue navigation duties or act as support
- responsibility does not disappear — it becomes shared but clearly defined
A professional Master:
- makes it clear who has the con
- encourages challenge
- does not punish early calls
An unsafe bridge is one where officers are unsure whether they are allowed to speak.
8. Chief Mate (First Mate)
The Chief Mate is second-in-command and head of the deck department.
On the bridge, the Chief Mate often:
- stands the 4–8 watch as OICNW
- directs the bridge team during their watch
- assumes command if the Master is incapacitated
Their authority is operational, not advisory.
When the Chief Mate is OOW, they are not “assisting” — they are commanding the watch.
9. Second Mate (Navigator)
The Second Mate is traditionally the ship’s navigator.
Primary responsibilities include:
- passage planning
- chart and publication correction
- navigational accuracy
When standing watch as OOW, the Second Mate:
- directs the bridge team
- applies the passage plan
- manages navigation execution
Navigation errors often originate not from plotting mistakes, but from poor execution of a correct plan.
10. Third Mate
The Third Mate is the most junior certified OICNW.
Primary responsibilities often include:
- safety equipment maintenance
- emergency preparedness
- lifeboats and firefighting appliances
When on watch, the Third Mate:
- is fully responsible as OOW
- directs the bridge team
- must be treated with the same authority as any other OOW
Undermining a junior OOW undermines the safety system.
11. Deck Cadet on the Bridge
A Deck Cadet is an officer under training.
On the bridge, cadets may:
- observe watchkeeping
- assist with plotting and checks
- act as lookout under supervision
Cadets do not replace qualified watchkeepers.
They learn by observing good practice, not by being used to fill gaps.
12. Deck Ratings in Bridge Support Roles
Boatswain
Does not normally stand navigational watch.
Able Seaman (AB)
- frequently serves as helmsman or lookout
- executes bridge team tasks under OOW direction
Ordinary Seaman (OS)
- assists with lookout duties
- supports navigation under supervision
Ratings are often the first to notice problems — if the bridge culture allows them to speak.
13. How Roles Change During Manoeuvring and Pilotage
During pilotage, port entry, or restricted waters:
- roles increase, they do not merge
- additional lookouts may be posted
- the Master usually takes the con
- the OOW supports, monitors, and cross-checks
The pilot advises.
The Master commands.
The bridge team monitors and challenges.
Many pilotage accidents occur because the bridge team mentally disengages.
14. Authority Gradient and Challenge–Response
Authority gradient refers to how difficult it feels to challenge a decision.
A healthy bridge:
- allows challenge regardless of rank
- responds with explanation, not punishment
- treats questions as safety tools
A dangerous bridge:
- confuses confidence with competence
- discourages speaking up
- equates silence with agreement
Challenge is not disrespect.
Silence is.
15. Common Role-Based Failure Modes
Recurring accident patterns include:
- OOW overloaded and unsupported
- lookout absent or distracted
- helmsman steering by habit
- junior officers hesitant to challenge
- Master assuming others are monitoring
- bridge team deferring entirely to pilot
These are system failures, not personal failures.
16. Minimum Role Clarity Rules for Safe Watchkeeping
Every watch should satisfy these conditions:
- one clearly identified OOW
- one dedicated lookout when required
- one helmsman when hand steering
- clear understanding of who has the con
- clear criteria for calling the Master
- explicit permission to challenge
If any of those are unclear, the watch is unsafe.
Tags
bridge team roles · OOW duties · watchkeeping · BRM · helmsman · lookout · maritime navigation · deck officer training