Bridge Procedures Guide, Seventh Edition
The Bridge Procedures Guide, Seventh Edition builds on 50 years of navigational best practice for all ships operating across all sectors and trades. It provides practical guidance to support safe, effective and environmentally responsible bridge operations, with a stronger focus on bridge team communication and a new self-assessment tool to help users review on board practice and identify improvements.
Further updates in the Seventh Edition include:
- a new self-assessment tool to help users review on board practice and identify gaps in areas such as training, competency and maintenance, and refer directly to relevant chapters
- expanded guidance on unreliable satellite positionings that helps officers of the watch recognise warning signs of GNSS spoofing, jamming and other causes of unreliable positioning
- new guidance and self-assessment on fatigue awareness that helps bridge team members recognise signs of fatigue and consider how to support one another
- new artificial intelligence (AI) guidance that considers AI’s role in supporting – not replacing – bridge team decision-making and emphasises professional judgement, output verification and the master’s overriding authority
- new guidance for diving operations and an accompanying checklist that supports officers of the watch when coordinating these operations
- a new bridge cyber security risk assessment checklist that supports the identification of cyber risks, complemented by guidance on vessel routeing to reduce maritime security-related risks
- alignment with the ICS Deck Procedures Guide and Engine Room Procedures Guide that supports consistent procedures across on board departments.
An essential tool for masters and officers in charge of navigational watch, this guide is also helpful for junior officers, cadets, designated persons ashore, superintendents, navigational auditors, other relevant shore-based personnel and marine pilots.
Chapter 1 Introduction
1.1 Safe navigation
1.2 An effective bridge team
1.3 Passage planning
1.4 Technology and use of artificial intelligence
1.5 Pilotage
Chapter 2 Effective bridge team organisation
2.1 Overview
2.2 Bridge team and responsibilities
2.3 Bridge resource management
2.4 Leadership and teamwork
Chapter 3 Bridge team training and continuous improvement
Chapter 4 Passage planning
Chapter 5 Duties of the office of the watch
Chapter 6 Operation and maintenance of bridge equipment
Chapter 7 Pilotage
Chapter 8 Emergency preparedness and response
Chapter 9 Dynamic positioning
Appendix A Bridge Procedures Guide compliance self-assessment
Appendix B ECDIS carriage requirements
Appendix C Example of master’s standing orders
Appendix D Example of night orders
Appendix E PACE acronym example phrases
Appendix F Bridge crewing matrix
Appendix G Pilotage checklists
Appendix H Bridge checklists
Appendix I Emergency checklists
Appendix J Posters
ICS
The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) is the global trade association representing national shipowners' associations from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe and more than 80% of the world merchant fleet. Established in 1921, ICS is concerned with all aspects of maritime affairs particularly maritime safety, environmental protection, maritime law and employment affairs. ICS enjoys consultative status with the UN International Maritime Organization (IMO) and International Labour Organization (ILO).
ICS also develops best practices and guidance, including a wide range of publications and free resources that are used by ship operators globally.
https://www.ics-shipping.org/about-ics/
- Number of Pages:
- 160
- ISBN (Witherby Connect):
- 978-1-913997-80-9
- Publication Date (Witherby Connect):
- January 2027
- Author:
International Chamber of Shipping (ICS)