Tips for Keeping a Proper Look-Out

Maintaining a proper look-out is a blessing from the sea gods.

Vigilant observation of the surrounding waters had saved many hulls from ramming into other ships or obstructions.

Of all the rules in ColRegs, the look-out rule in Rule 5 is my favorite and probably the most important one.

It’s this rule that you have to use every possible means and navigational tools inside and outside the bridge to monitor all around the vessel for any navigational hazard.

So how can we keep a proper look-out that will achieve safety from Port A to Port B?

What is a Proper Look-Out?

A look-out is a person assigned to continuously observe the vessel’s surroundings to detect and report potential hazards.

Some of these hazards include the following:

• Other vessels
• Buoys
• Fixed objects
• Navigational aids
• Floating debris
• Changes in weather conditions
• Changes in sea conditions
• Decreasing water depth

A proper look-out means maintaining a vigilant and continuous observation of the vessel’s surroundings using sight, hearing, and all available means (such as radar or electronic systems).

It basically refers to the active and effective implementation of Rule 5.

Colregs Rule 5 – Look-Out

Here is the full text of Rule 5 – Look-out, which is the most important rule for safe navigation:

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 or the risk of collision.

Tools Needed for Keeping a Proper Look-Out

The three main tools for performing a proper look-out are sight, hearing, and common sense.

These three assets alone can keep your vessel safe as you navigate through seas, ports, traffic separation schemes, and other waterways.

But to further enhance your ability to maintain a proper look-out, here are the extra tools and equipment such as the following:

• Binoculars
• Radar
• Nautical Charts
• Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS)
• Pelorus
• Automatic Identification System (AIS)
• VHF Radio
• Night Vision Devices
• Echo Sounder
• Weather Facsimile
• NavTex

VHF radios, weather fax, and NavTex can be used for information sharing, which seafarers use to anticipate a hazard in a particular place.

The echo sounder is the only device that can detect shallow waters, which is also crucial for look-out duties.

How to Keep a Proper Look-Out

For keeping a proper look-out the following shall be observed:

1. The officer of the watch may visit the chart room for a short period, provided that it is safe to do so and ensure that an efficient look-out is maintained. 

2. Whoever is keeping a look-out must be able to give full attention to that task. No duties shall be assigned or undertaken to him which would interfere with the keeping of a proper look-out. 

3. The duties of the person on look-out and the helmsman are separate. The helmsman shall not be considered the person on look-out while steering. 

4. There may be circumstances in which the officer of the watch can safely be the sole look-out in daylight, provided it is safe to do so. 

5. Full account shall be taken of all relevant factors, including but not limited to the state of weather, conditions of visibility, traffic density, and proximity of navigational hazards and if navigating in or near a traffic separation scheme. 

5. When the Officer of the watch is acting as the sole look-out he must not hesitate to summon assistance to the bridge.

6. Look-outs shall be posted where they can perform best under the existing circumstances. 

7. The Look-out shall have no other duties. 

9. The look-out must stay vigilant all the time.

10. There could be obstructions within the bridge or the vessel that may hinder a 360-degree observation of the horizon. Thus, the look-out must monitor these blind spot.

11. He must communicate effectively.

12. The look-out must cross-check instruments for errors.

13. During fair weather and restricted visibility, he must listen for Sound Signals.

14. He must maintain a safe speed at all times.

When shall look-outs be posted?

The Look-out shall be posted: 

• in or approaching heavy traffic; 
• in or approaching diminishing visibility; 
• arriving or departing a port, or in restricted waters; 
• from sunset to sunrise; and 
• at any other time as directed by the Master. 

Common Look-Out Mistakes to Avoid

Here are some common mistakes that look-outs should avoid:

1. Over-reliance on technology.

2. Getting distracted by mobile devices.

3. Multi-tasking instead of focusing on the horizon.

4. Not looking into the window.

5. Not checking the horizon with the naked eye.

6. Neglecting sound signals.

7. Not visually checking the blind spots.

8. Neglecting to visually check the stern.

9. Perform look-out duties while fatigued or intoxicated.

10. Not familiarizing with the light and sound signals.

11. Assuming small vessels are not a threat.

12. Using only one equipment.

13. Assuming other vessels will ALWAYS follow the rules.

Before anyone can be assigned look-out duties, he must be duly certified as per the STCW. The bridge may also have a solo look-out during the day and double watch at night time.

In some cases, there can be three look-outs in exceptional cases like heavy traffic in restricted visibility, transiting pirate-infested areas, and any time when the master deems necessary.

May the winds be in your favor.