The night orders are liable to instruct about:
- Changes in the course—when—how much—what course.
- Cautions as to lights and landfalls expected.
- Cautions as to vessels to be met.
- Cautions as to weather changes.
- Instructions as to calling of Captain, Chief Mate, etc.
- Instructions as to getting under way, calling officers, men, (when at anchor).
- Instructions as to navigation—sights—bearings.
The Deck. Where the Chief Mate stands a bridge watch, the officer of the watch is generally considered to be in charge of the men on deck, though they may be engaged at work under the boatswain—work laid out by the Chief Mate. This, however, is largely a matter of organization. If the vessel is small, the officer of the watch can keep an eye on things from the bridge. If he needs assistance of any kind he calls for it. He directs the taking in of awnings, and sails, if carried, the turning of ventilators, the closing of the cowls in case of rain.
Fire. In the event of fire:
CALL THE CAPTAIN, if a junior officer, call the Chief Mate also.
At the same time sound the fire alarms.
The usual fire drill then takes place.
The vessel is turned over to the Captain as soon as fire is reported and the officer of the watch attends at the fire or does as he is directed by the Captain. The Chief Engineer should also be informed of the fire, and the engineer on watch is advised of it by telephone or by voice tube.
The wireless operators are advised at once and await the orders of the Captain, except in case of sudden disaster, when they at once send out their calls for assistance.
Being Overtaken. When your vessel is being overtaken, set off flare-up and call Captain at once. On many slow cargo steamers a lookout astern is almost as necessary as a lookout ahead.