Subject: Helmsman practices,Sea Bridge Shipping Management Co.，Ltd.

Subject: Helmsman practices

Click： Time：2025-11-19 11:54:49

YONGXIN Circular(YX-General-2025-002)

主题：舵手操作规范
Subject: Helmsman practices

日期：2025年11月04日
Date: November 04,2025

概述Briefing:

安全航行是预防海事事故发生的关键因素之一，而舵手的操作表现则始终是这一过程中的重要环节。为保障船舶航行及进出港安全，特颁发此通函，以规范舵工操作。

Safe navigation is one of the key factors in preventing maritime accidents, and the operational performance of the helmsman is always an important link in this process. To ensure the safety of vessel navigation and entry and exit from ports, this circular is hereby issued to regulate the operation of helmsmen.

通函内容Circular Content:

1. Manual steering may be engaged during pilotage, arrivals and departures from port, anchoring, heavy traffic, restricted visibility, heavy weather, coastal navigation, or whenever ordered by the master and company Safety Management System. Timely judgment by the master and officer of the watch is essential, and a helmsman should be deployed and manual steering engaged well before the vessel encounters dense traffic or conditions that could escalate into a hazardous situation. Communication between the master, officers, lookout, helmsman, pilots, and engine room must always be clear, structured, and understood by all parties. An environment where questions and challenges are welcomed whenever doubt exists should be encouraged.

在引水、进出港、抛锚、通航密集、能见度受限、恶劣天气、沿海航行等情况，或按船长命令及公司安全管理制度的要求，均可能需要进行手动操舵。船长和值班驾驶员的及时判断至关重要，应在船舶进入通航密集水域或遭遇其他可能升级为险情的海况之前，提前派遣舵手进行手动操舵。船长、船员、瞭望员、舵手、引航员及轮机部各方之间的沟通必须始终保持清晰、有组织且确保各方理解。应积极营造开放氛围，允许在任何存在疑虑时提出质疑并予以回应。

2. The Helmsman shall be considered a full and active member of the bridge team, with no other duties except steering. It is important to emphasise that the helmsman shall not be considered to be a lookout while steering. The master is responsible for ensuring that all helmsmen are adequately trained, aware of specific navigational challenges, and included in passage planning and toolbox talks. Risk assessments for port calls or challenging areas should also identify helmsman duties, potential steering risks and mitigation measures. The helmsman’s actions should be monitored to ensure that the steering orders are correctly executed. When operating in hand-steering mode for a prolonged period, the helmsman shall be rotated in accordance with company procedures to prevent fatigue and ensure continuous alertness and safe navigation.

舵手应被视为驾驶团队的正式成员，并始终专注于操舵。必须强调的一点是，舵手在操舵时不能同时担任瞭望员。船长有责任确保所有舵手均经过充分训练，了解特定的航行挑战，并参与到航次计划和安全例会中。对于靠泊操作或复杂水域的风险评估，也应明确舵手职责、潜在操舵风险及应对措施。应监控舵手的操作以确保操舵命令得到正确的执行。当船舶需长时间处于手操舵模式时，应根据公司规程对舵手进行轮换，以防疲劳作业，确保持续警惕与航行安全。

3. It is essential that the helmsman is fully familiar with the vessel’s steering systems, as well as associated alarms, changeover functions and rudder angle indicators. Any accidental activation or error shall immediately be reported. During manual steering, and in order to eliminate doubt or misunderstandings, every order shall be repeated verbally by the helmsman who shall confirm once it has been carried out.

舵手必须完全熟悉船舶的操舵系统、相关警报、转换功能和舵角指示器。任何误操作或错误必须立即报告。在手动操舵过程中，为避免疑虑或误解，舵手应口头复述每一指令，并在执行后立即进行确认。

4. The helmsman has a duty to promptly report steering abnormalities, such as but not limited to:

舵手有义务及时报告操舵异常情况，例如但不限于：

l Slow or delayed rudder response

l 舵效迟缓或反应延迟

l Unexpected vessel movement

l 船体出现异常运动

l Loss of rudder response

l 舵效丧失

l Any abnormalities detected

l 任何检测到的异常

If no acknowledgement is received, the helmsman must repeat the warning until it is understood.

如未收到确认，舵手必须重复警报直到情况被知悉。

5. Helmsmen shall be verified by the master and must demonstrate familiarity and competence with all relevant equipment and procedures. From a training perspective, the master is obliged to ensure that helmsmen practice not only relates to steady course-keeping but also the execution of standard rudder commands and rate of turn manoeuvres. Training shall address challenges such as steering in heavy seas, strong currents, shallow waters, bank effects, interaction, and loss of steering. Documenting training, familiarisation, and assessments provides strong evidence of due diligence.

舵手应经船长核实，并须证明其对所有相关设备和程序的熟悉程度与胜任能力。从培训角度而言，船长有义务确保舵手的练习不仅限于保持稳定航向，还应包括执行标准舵令及转向率的操控。培训内容应当涵盖恶劣海况、强流、浅水、岸壁效应、船舶相互影响及舵失效等情况下的挑战。对培训、熟悉及考核过程的记录将为证明尽职提供有力证据。

6. The implications of non-compliance are significant, Properly documented procedures, regular drills, and training records are essential not only for safe operations but also for demonstrating compliance to flag, class port state control, and other relevant authorities.

未遵守规定的后果极其严重。严格记录操作过程、定期演练和培训记录不仅是确保安全运营的必要条件，也是证明符合船旗国、船级社、港口国监督及其他相关当局合规性的重要证据。

Additional requirement 其他要求

To further strengthen loss prevention, required:

为了进一步加强防损，要求：

l Develop detailed contingency plans for loss of steering and ensure that the entire bridge team are familiar with their duties during a potential emergency.

l 制定详细的操舵失效的应急预案，确保整驾驶团队熟知自己在潜在紧急情况下的职责。

l Ensure that the helmsman’s duties are well described in the job description and posted in the applicable cabins.

l 确保岗位说明中详尽描述舵手职责，并张贴在相关船舱内。

l Ensure a detailed company procedure for the helmsman’s responsibilities and guidance.

l 制定详尽的公司规程，明确舵工的职责与操作指引。

l Conduct regular steering drills (including loss of steering scenarios) as part of emergency preparedness.

l 定期开展操舵演练（包括操舵失效情景），作为应急准备的一部分。

l Integrate helmsman training into Bridge Resource Management (BRM) programs.

l 将舵手培训纳入驾驶台资源管理（Bridge Resource Management, BRM）计划。

l Include helmsman familiarisation in internal audits and navigational assessments to ensure compliance is verified.

l 在内部审核和航行评估中确保舵手熟悉程序，以确保合规性得到验证。

This advice offers general guidance. Actual risks and appropriate mitigation measures will vary depending on vessel type, mode of operation, prevailing conditions, and company-specific procedures. Masters and officers shall apply professional judgment, conduct thorough risk assessments, and adhere to the company Safety Management System.

本建议为通用指导。实际风险与相应的缓解措施会因船型、运营模式、当地情况及公司具体程序而异。船长和驾驶员应运用专业判断，进行全面的风险评估，并严格遵守公司安全管理体系。

YONGXIN MERCHANT MARINE LIMITED

DATE: 04 NOV 2025