Under old traditions of the sea and various provisions of laws internationally, merchant ships are obligated to assist those in distress at sea whenever they can safely do so. Their responsibility to render assistance to a distressed vessel or aircraft is based on compassionate factors and as established by international practice. To the Mersar Resource Section >>
It is essential that officers of the watch (OOW) appreciate that the proper performance of their duties is necessary in the interests of the safety of life and property at sea and the safety of the marine environment. The OOW needs to be conversant with means and best practices of controlling the speed and direction of the ship, handling characteristics and stopping distances. Continue to the main Deckwatch section >>
The International Rules were formalized in the Convention on the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, and became effective on July 15, 1977. The Rules (commonly called 72 COLREGS) are part of the Convention, and vessels flying the flags of states ratifying the treaty are bound to the Rules. To the Colreg Resource Section >>
The focus of these downloads is to gain insights on how the atmospheric pressure is distributed around the earth and its effect on the prevailing winds and ocean surface currents, as well as shipborne meteorological instruments and their operation, various weather systems, reporting procedures and recording systems, the meteorological information, and the ocean currents and waves. To the Meteorology Resource section >>