ICS Guidance on Bridge Procedures and Pilot transfers

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has released the sixth edition of the Bridge Procedures Guide (BPG) which is written to reflect the rapid technological advances taking place in the shipping industry and to equip users to deal with the digital transformation taking place on the bridge.

The guide is widely acknowledged as the leading industry guidance on safe bridge procedures and is a recommended carriage on all vessels by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

The new edition provides clear guidance on best practice approaches to watchkeeping that make safe and effective use of modern technology and embrace internationally agreed standards and recommendations adopted by the IMO.

Key features of the new edition:

• Increased guidance on non-navigational procedures.
• New sections on the human element, Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) safety settings, category zone of confidence (CATZOC), weather routeing, communications with the engine control room, cargo operations, risk assessments and permits to work, ship stability, ballast water management, errors associated with Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS), and characteristics of radar.
• More visual aids to improve understanding and support on board training.
• Simplified language to reflect current best practice in writing guidelines and checklists.

The BPG complements the guidance in the ICS Engine Room Procedures Guide and, when used in collaboration, readers can be confident they are gaining a comprehensive and up-to-date understanding of the latest best practice operations in the industry.

More information can be found on the ICS website for the BPG and Engine Room Procedures Guide.

Free resources and checklists from the BPG are available for download at the bottom of the page.

ICS and International Maritime Pilots’ Association (IMPA) have produced the third edition of the Shipping Industry Guidance on Pilot Transfer Arrangements. The guide is produced in collaboration with IGP&I and other industry bodies and includes a new section outlining the IMO guidance on combination embarkation platform arrangements.

The guide is available for download below.

Category: Loss Prevention