Bridge Procedures Guide, 6th Edition 2022

The new ICS Bridge Procedures Guide has been 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. 

For over 40 years, this bestselling Guide has reflected and defined current best practice on the bridges of merchant ships operating in all sectors and trades. Now in its sixth edition, it 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). 

Regularly used by Masters, watchkeeping officers, shipping companies, training institutions and accident investigators worldwide, the Guide continues to be an essential tool for those in charge of a navigational watch. 

Thoroughly revised and updated to be relevant to today’s international shipping landscape, 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.

The sixth edition of the Guide features:

• 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; and
• Simplified language to reflect current best practice in writing guidelines and checklists.

The Bridge Procedures Guide 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.

It is strongly recommended that a copy of the sixth edition is carried on board every ship, and that copies are held within shipping company technical departments.