(a) The direction of aircrafts as requisite.
(b) The control of airborne defensive fighters.
(c) The safety of all aircraft that he is directing.
(d) The homing of lost aircraft.
(e) The fixing of ditched aircraft and bailed out aircrew.
(2) In Carriers he is responsible that the Action Information Organisation (AIO) and Aircraft Direction Organisation meet the requirements of the Commander (Air).
(3) At Naval Air stations, he is responsible to the Commander (Air) for: -
(a) The direction of aircraft on exercises, subject to Air Traffic Control Regulations.
(b) Ensuring, as far as possible, subject to instructions from Air Traffic Control, the safety of all aircraft under his direction
(c) The tracking of such other aircraft as Air Traffic Control may require, being prepared at all times to assist Air Traffic Control by the provision of any data available and the passing of such instructions to aircraft as Air Traffic Control may order. See also regulation 1378.
1321. Meteorological Duties. In a ship in which no qualified Meteorological officer is borne, meteorological duties shall be undertake n by the Navigating officer.
See also regulation 2212 (5).
1322 – 1323. Blank.
SECTION II – GENERAL
1324. Senior Officer’s Responsibility. (1) The Flag or other Senior Officer is responsible for the safe conduct of the fleet, flotilla, squadron, ships or ship present with him and acting in concert under his orders, the Senior Officers-in-Charge of Divisions or columns being responsible for the ships under their immediate orders.
(2) Should any officer in command observe a ship standing into danger, he shall at once act or make known the same, as the actual circumstances of the case may seem to require.
1326. Duties of Navigating Officer. The Navigating officer, under the direction of the Captain shall have the charge of the navigation of the ship; and whenever the ship is approaching the land or any shoals, the Captain shall take care that the Navigating officer keeps a good look out. See regulation 1302.
1327. Safety Precautions. (1) When approaching land or shoals and when under way in the vicinity thereof, the Captain shall ensure that the position of the ship is not only ascertained in good time but is constantly fixed thereafter by the best means available including radar and other radio aids/equipments to position fixing, in addition to visual fixing, sounding or other methods.
(2) When in the vicinity of rocks or shoals, and when ship is in pilotage waters the Captain shall take care that soundings are obtained by the best means available, not only as a guide for securing the safe conduct of the ship, but also as a precaution against any mistake in navigation even when a pilot is borne. Such precautions shall be maintained even in the most frequented channels.
(3) The Captain shall take care that preparation has been made to anchor the ship at the shortest notice.
1328. Approaching Land during Darkness. The Captain shall exercise a very careful discretion before endeavouring to make it to unlighted or dangerous land or shall get into or close to difficult unlighted ports during darkness. Except in cases of emergency or other necessity, he should consider whether, instead, the service he is employed upon will not be more certainly performed by standing off until daylight.
1329. Speed in Low visibility. Any officer in command of a fleet, flotilla, or squadron, or of one of Indian Naval Ships, when under way in fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rainstorms or any other condition similarly restricting visibility, shall proceed at a safe speed consistent with the distance at which other ships or objects can be located wither visually or by radar. At the same time due consideration must be given to the proper maintenance of control over the unit under his command as well as to the distance which must be travelled before any vessel can be made to lose all her way if required to do so. The possibility that other ships met may not be equipped with radar must constantly be borne in mind.
1330. Precautions when Anchoring. When anchoring, the Captain, shall take care to place the ship in a safe berth, and in such a position as not to endanger ships already anchored; also that the bearings of headlands or other distinguishable objects, with the depth of water and the nature of the bottom, are ascertained and noted in the ship’s log. If there is no accurate chart of the place or when in doubt, he shall cause the Navigating officer to sound round the ship within a radius of at least three cables to ascertain the fitness of the anchorage.
1331. Report of Collision or Grounding. (1) If the ship is involved in a collision or touches the ground, the Captain shall intimate this occurrence to the Operational Authority, Administrative Authority and the Chief of the Naval Staff by signal. The Captain and the Navigating officer shall then by the first opportunity, transmit to the Operational Authority for the information of the Administrative Authority and the Chief of the Naval Staff, a joint statement on Form IN 868, Report of collision or Grounding, A copy of the report shall at the same time be sent to the Senior officer of the Shore Command in whose Operational Area the accident has taken place. A full report of the circumstances leading up to the collision or grounding shall be included in the covering letter and extracts from the ship’s log and rough and fair engineering master log or control room log in a submarine are to accompany the statement. See regulation 1368.
(2) Reports on navigational matters other then collision or grounding shall also be rendered at the first opportunity after the occurrence.
(3) All reports mentioned in sub-regulations (1) and (2) should, whenever practicable, be accompanied by diagrams indicating the relative positions and movements of the vessels concerned.
(4) When ship is in Dockyard hands and evidence of damage due to grounding, etc., is detected, the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard shall report the matter to Operational Authority/Administrative Authority and the Chief of the Naval Staff.
1332. Entering Dock. Every precaution shall be taken to prevent ships when being taken into or out of a dock or basin, from striking or bearing hard against the sides of the entrance; should such a case occur, the Captain shall report the particulars to his superior authorities as mentioned in regulation 1331 (1) and (4) in order that it may be noted in the same way as if the ship had grounded. If it should occur at a dockyard, the dockyard officers shall report whether, in their opinion, the ship has sustained any damage.
1333. Striking Wharves or Objects. If a ship comes into contact with floating or sunken objects, or with wharves or pier, the facts shall fully be stated with a view to a careful examination being made of the plating affected in case it should seem to be necessary. See regulations 1332 and 1334.
1334. Movement of Ships in Naval Dockyards. (1) Whenever any Indian Naval Ship or vessel is ordered to enter or leave harbour, to enter locks or docks, or pass through basins in any Naval dockyard, the responsibility for the arrangements for the movement rests with the dockyard officers.
(2) Whenever one of Indian Naval Ship or vessel is under the control of tugs employed for the purpose of berthing or manoeuvring the ship inside the harbour, the Captain should normally request the Captain of the Yard or the Naval Pilot to handle the ship; but this does not relieve the Captain of his responsibility for the safety of his ship and in the event of an accident which would have been prevented by a common degree of attention on the part of the Captain or the Navigating officer, these officers will be deemed to have neglected their duty. See regulation 1359.
(3) Whenever any Indian Naval Ship or vessel is being moved without power, either by tugs or hawsers, the dockyard officers are responsible for the movement.
(4) Whenever any Indian Naval Ship is proceeding alongside a dockyard wharf from sea, or is being moved from one berth to an other in dockyard, the ship’s company shall assist and a berthing party shall be landed if necessary to work under the orders of the Captain of the Yard or other dockyard official.
(5) Whenever any Indian Naval Ship or vessel is ordered to come alongside a jetty or wall of a tidal basin, the dockyard officers will be responsible for the arrangements for receiving and securing her, but the responsibility for the movement unless she has no power at command, will rest with the Captain. Similarly, when a ship is leaving a jetty or wall of a tidal basin, the dockyard officer will be responsible for letting go the hawsers. The Captain will be responsible for the movement and will direct the order in which the hawsers are to be let go.
(6) Whenever one of the Indian Naval Ships or vessels is ordered to leave a dock or lock in one of Naval dockyards the dockyard officers are responsible for the methods to be followed and for all arrangements until the last shore hawser is slipped.
The vessel remains in dockyard charge until she is clear of the wall and proceeding under her own power. The dockyard officers shall tell the Captain what method they propose to follow and inform him of any special precautions, which may be necessary. If the Captain does not agree with proposed arrangements, the dockyard officers shall obtain the decision of the Admiral Superintendent
(7) If on account of local conditions the Senior Naval Officer of the port directs the dock yard officers to assume entire responsibility for certain movements within the dockyard. The Captain shall cause the ship to be handled as directed by the Captain of the Yard or his representative.
(8) If on account of wind, Weather, for, tide or for any other reason the dockyard officers consider it undesirable to move or sail a vessel, they shall so inform the Captain; but if he still wishes the movement to take place and officers to accept the responsibility the matter shall be referred to the Senior Naval Officer of the port for decision.
1335. Hiring Tug. Commercial tugs shall be hired only when the Senior Officer present considers it essential for the safety of the vessel requiring towage. The hire charge should not exceed the local commercial tariff rate. As tug owners usually charge for stand-by time, great care shall be taken to avoid stand by charges or enganging a tug before towage can commence. The services rendered shall be agreed at the time with the master of the tug and his claim certified formally and sent to the Administrative Authority of the port for settlement.
1336. Derelicts. (1) Should any of Indian Naval Ships fall in with any waterlogged vessel abandoned at sea, which constitutes a danger to navigation, the derelict shall be examined, and unless the cargo is composed of such large bulks of timber as would themselves become a danger if released or the position of the derelict is such as to make it probable that she may soon be towed into port, every effort shall be made to sink or otherwise to destroy her
(2) The Captain shall warn all shipping in the vicinity, by the most immediate method, of the date, position, and description of any derelict vessel or floating obstruction, which is sighted. In Indian waters, he shall inform the Chief Hydrographer and when abroad, the appropriate naval authority of that area.
1337. Hydrographic Surveys and observations for Magnetic Variation. (1) When opportunity offers, and the charts supplied are imperfect, the Captain shall cause surveys to be undertaken and charts to be made of the harbours and coasts, visited, by the navigating or other qualified officers, to whom every facility for this purpose shall be given and who shall always affix their signatures to their drawings and remarks.
(2) Observations for the magnetic variation, obtained by swinging the ship in deep water, are of particular value for the correction of charts of magnetic variations.
Results of such observations shall be forwarded (in original only) to the Chief Hydrographer on form H-88.
(3) In carrying out such surveys in foreign places, the Captain and all other officers shall be very careful to avoid giving any ground for offence to the authorities and before undertaking a hydrographic survey in the territorial waters of a foreign state, permission shall be obtained from the local authorities.
1338. Hydrographic Informations. (1) The particulars of all information which may from time to time be obtained affecting charts, sailing directions, and other publications supplied with chart folios, shall be forwarded to the Chief Hydrographer direct on form H.102; but if the information is of an urgent nature a preliminary report shall also be made by signal to Naval Headquarters. A duplicate copy of report on form H.102 shall be sent to the operational authority of the Area.
(2) In Indian waters hydrographic information of an urgent nature will be promulgated by the Chief Hydrographer. In foreign stations, the Senior Officer present is authorised to promulgate such information but he shall not, without the concurrence of the Chief Hydrographer, promulgate information that a charted danger to navigation does not exist.
(3) The Captain of a ship employed on special service such as trooping passage, experimental cruise, or a visit to an unfrequented place, shall forward with his Report of Proceedings (regulation 0304) a Hydrographic report in accordance with the instructions contained in Chapter II of BR 45 (1) Admiralty Manual of Navigation Vol I. A copy of this report shall be sent direct to the Chief Hydrographer. See also regulation 2006.
1339. Uncharted Dangers. If the Captain of one of the Indian Naval Ships should become aware of the existence of any danger in the ordinary track of shipping not hitherto charted, he shall cause careful examination to be made by soundings so as to show the nature, extent, position and depth of water, in respect of such danger, and shall report the same to Naval Headquarters immediately by signal, forwarding at the first opportunity the angles and other means used to fix the position and, if possible a plan of the locality. A delay of a few days waiting for suitable conditions to make a survey of a new danger cannot be considered as time misspent.
1340. Ship’s Performance Trial. (1) When opportunities offer, the Captain shall make the necessary trials at the specified speeds to obtain the necessary data for completion of form IN 885.
(2) All the trials specified on form IN 885 shall be completed within the six months of the ship being first commissioned. Diagrams, and any necessary particulars, shall be furnished in each instance. The results, as recorded on form IN 885 shall be inserted in the Captain’s Ship’s Book (regulation 0314) and the Navigational Data Book (regulation 1307) and three copies shall be forwarded to the Chief of the Naval Staff.
(3) For ships other then carriers, cruisers, mine layers, squadron leaders and repair and depot ships, the Chief of the Naval Staff will direct only one of each class of small ships to carry out the trials and will promulgate a copy of form IN 885 which shall be retained in the Captain’s Ship’s Book to the other ships of the class.
1341. Ammunition Ships. Ships shall give a wide berth when practicable to ammunition ships or vessels laden with explosives, which are distinguished by a red flag at the masthead.
1342. Navigating Lights. (1) Whenever any light which has been hoisted or is being used on board Indian Naval Ships, in compliance with the regulations for preventing collisions at sea, is removed for the purpose of being trimmed, or for any other purpose, it should immediately be replaced by another, so that there may not be any interval during which a light is not exhibited (See also Chhapter42).
(2) Care shall be taken to prevent green or red lights showing out board as they may be mistaken for the sidelights of the ship. See regulation 1026 (13).
1343. Fishing Vessel Log. The Captain shall see that the instructions contained in the Fishing Vessel Log, Form s-1176 are complied with.
1344. Navigation Manual. BRs 45 (1), 45(2), 45(3) Admiralty Manual of Navigation Volumes 1,2 and 3 shall be regarded as the standard work on navigational questions in the Indian Navy and the information contained therein shall be studied most carefully and instructions contained therein complied with.
1345. Use of Charts. Navigating and other Executive officers shall also most carefully study the remarks on the use of charts as navigational aids, and general remarks relating to practical navigation placed at the beginning of each volume of the Admiralty sailing directions, and shall be guided by the instructions contained therein.
1346. Magnetic Compasses. Where reference is made in these regulations to magnetic compasses, this applies also, unless indicated to the contrary, to transmitting magnetic compasses and to gyro-magnetic compasses.
1347. Arrangement of Compasses. (1) The exact positions of the magnetic and master-gyro-compasses will be determined by the Chief of the Naval Staff and no change shall be made without his authority.
(2) No modification to any portion of the gyro-compass equipment shall be carried out without the authority of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
(3) The “Rules for the arrangement of structures and fittings in the vicinity of Magnetic Compasses and Chronometers” shall be strictly observed as specified.
(4) The electric lighting of a magnetic compass fitted by the Naval dockyard shall not be altered without the authority of the Chief of the Naval Staff.
1348. Repair of Compasses. (1) Before each annual refit, and when the date of commencement is known approximately, the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard shall be notified so that his representative in conjunction with the Electrical officer, may inspect the gyro and transmitting magnetic compass equipment and decide what overhauling is necessary. In any event, the annual routine will be carried out in accordance with the relevant technical publications.
(2) All ships fitted with gyro and transmitting compasses shall carry out the following procedure when going in for refit: -
(a) On Commencing Refit (i) In case the refit is under dockyard control, the ASD shall be informed before hand of a suitable date which should be as soon as possible, after the arrival of the ship at her port of refit, when the equipment will be inspected by the representative of ASD. ASD shall then be responsible for the normal routines and maintenance to be carried on the gyro and transmitting magnetic compasses.
(ii) In case the ship is not in dockyard control, normal routines and maintenance is to be carried out by the ships staff with the assistance of dockyard staff.
(b) On Completing Refit. The equipment shall be tested by the representative of ASD in the presence of the officers of the ship, after the successful completion of which the responsibility of the equipment shall devolve on the officers of the ship.
(3) The services of commercial firms shall not be sought for the repair of gyrocompass except in emergency abroad when no assistance is obtainable from Naval sources.
(4) Admiralty pattern magnetic compasses and their accessories shall not be sent to commercial compass firms or local instrument makers for repair. Any defective compasses or accessories shall be return ed to the local Naval Stores officer and replacements demanded. Minor repairs to binnacles may be carried out by the Naval dockyard/Base Repair Organisation.
1349. Compass Errors, Deviations and Returns. (1) The Navigating officer is responsible for the adjustment of magnetic compasses and of compasses corrector coils. The Captain, Navigating officer, and the other executive officers, of the ship shall keep a constant watch over the errors of the gyro-compasses and the deviations of the magnetic compasses, and they shall make themselves thoroughly acquainted with the practical instructions relating thereto as given in Chapter IX of BR 45 (1) Admiralty Manual of Navigation Vol I and in the various manuals and handbooks issued on the subject from time to time.
(2) Whenever possible the errors of the standard and gyro-compasses shall be observed on each course steered and shall be recorded in the ship’s log. The errors of the gyro-compass shall also be recorded in the gyro-compass log.
(3) Magnetic compasses shall be adjusted by swinging the ship in the manner laid down and on the occasions stated in Chapter IX of BR 45 (1) Admiralty Manual of Navigation Vol I. On each occasion of swinging ship, all magnetic compasses in the ship shall be adjusted (both for conditions of D.G. ON and D.G OFF, where applicable). The “Record of observations for Deviations” on form IN 884 shall be rendered to the Chief Hydrographer for record, and a copy inserted in the Navigational data Book.
(4) A report shall be rendered annually on 31st December to the Chief I of the Naval Staff through the Administrative Authority showing the dates during the preceding year on which the ship was swung for the adjustment of magnetic compasses.
(5) Ships shall take every opportunity to swing to obtain values of “c” and “f” at magnetic compass positions, forwarding the results and the data on which they are based to the Chief of the Naval Staff.
(6) The Gyro-Compass Log. Form IN 326 shall be kept in accordance with the instructions contained therein; the compass report, Form IN 279 shall be forwarded to the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard as directed by form IN 326.
1350. Compass Bearings. (1) Whenever magnetic compass bearings are taken, whether to be noted in the log or other documents or for any other purpose, they shall be corrected for deviation and the correct magnetic bearing shall be used.
Where, however, bearings are obtained from a repeater operated from a magnetic compass, they shall be corrected for both deviation and variation, and the correct true bearing shall be used
(2) Gyro-compass bearing shall similarly be corrected for any error from the true meridian and the correct true bearing given.
1351-1354. Blank.
SECTION III – PILOTAGE
1355. (1) Normal Arrangements. (a) In ordinary circumstances the Navigating officer is the pilot of the ship, but if the borne for navigating duties is not a specialist officer of the Navigation Direction Branch qualified in navigation, the duty of pilotage devolves on the Captain, who may either perform it himself or at his discretion, depute any executive officer of the ship’s complement to do so. The amounts awarded for this duty at ports where pilotage fees are admissible shall be paid in the proportion of two-thirds to the Captain and one-third to the Navigating officer.
(b) Restriction of Pilotage Fees. The gnt of pilotage fees to an officer is restricted to six times in and six times out of any one port or channel, and six times for picking up the same anchorage during the period for which the officer is borne continuously for service in the same ship
(2) In the absence of a specialist direction officer qualified in navigation, a pilot shall not b hired to perform the ordinary duties of navigation, nor to conduct the ship into a port for which the charts and directions are a sufficient guide.
1356. When Pilot Authorised. For ports and channels which are difficult of access, or for which the charts are not a sufficient guide, a licensed or regular pilot may be employed. If an officer pilots the ship, he will be allowed for his services, remuneration, the rates of which will be published by the Chief of the Naval Staff from time to time.
1357. When Pilot not Authorised. If a pilot is employed for a port or anchorage normally disallowed, an explanation for the reasons for so doing shall be made on the Pilotage Certificate. If the Chief of the Naval Staff does not consider the explanation satisfactory, he may direct the expense or any part thereof to be charged against the Captain o Navigating officer.
1358. Payment of Pilotage. Payment shall be made in accordance with the instructions contained in the Pay and Allowances Regulations for the Navy 1966 (INBR 3).
1359. Relations Between Captain and Pilot. (1) When a pilot is employed, the Captain at his discretion may either use him in an advisory capacity or may direct him to take full control of the handling of the ship. The employment of a pilot does not relieve the Captain of his responsibility for the safety of his ship, and in the event of an accident, which would have been prevented by a common degree of attention on the part of the Captain or the Navigating officer, these officers, will be deemed to have neglected their duty. If the Captain should consider that the pilot is not able to conduct the ship, the Captain shall relieve him of his duties. When a pilot is relieved, the time shall be noted in the log; a report shall be made to the Senior Naval Officer present. If possible, the Senior Naval Officer shall order a board of inquiry to investigate the reasons for the Captain’s action.
(2) In Naval ports when the Captain of the Yard, his assistant, o a Naval Pilot is employed, the provisions of sub-regulation (1) apply generally subject to any local orders that may be in force.
(3) When any Indian Naval Ship or vessel is under the control of tugs employed for the purpose of berthing or manoeuvring the ship inside a dockyard port, the Captain shall normally direct the Captain of the Yard, or Naval Pilot, to handle the ship, see also regulation 1333 to 1335.
1360. Unlicensed Pilots. No unlicensed pilot shall be allowed to take charge of any Indian Naval Ship except in case of necessity, when a licensed or regular pilot cannot be obtained, if such an occasion arises, particular caution shall be observed by the Captain and Navigating officer to guard against such unlicensed pilot running the ship into danger.
1361. Rights Regarding Pilots. Indian Naval Ships have the right to demand the services of any Indian licensed pilot not otherwise engaged at the time, but no Indian pilot can claim the right of piloting any Indian Naval Ship.
1362. Compulsory pilotage. (1) Except for the Hooghly river, Indian Naval Ships are exempt from compulsory pilotage when entering or leaving Indian ports but must comply strictly with any local regulations when going long side wharfs, etc. In the Hooghly river, Indian Naval Ships ae subject to the local pilot regulations.
(2) In foreign ports, Indian Naval Ships are not necessarily exempt from compulsory pilotage, but must conform to the local regulations which shall be ascertained before employing a pilot.
1363. Pilot’s Engagement. Whenever it may be necessary to engage a licensed pilot for a lengthened service, or any unlicensed pilot, fisherman, or boatman for any service, the Captain shall enter into a written engagement if circumstances admit; but if not, a verbal agreement shall be made in the presence of witness specifying the rate of sum to be paid in satisfaction of all demands and if it is for a lengthened period, when the payments shall be made. If a written engagement is entered into, it shall be signed by both parties and the witness and he terms shall be noted in the log; if not in writing, the terms shall similarly be noted in the log; nd these shall be specially reported to the Administrative Authority. The Captain is to ensure that the charges for pilotage are in accordance with local rates or in absence thereof, are fair and reasonable. The stipulated payments are, under the authority of the Captain, to be made by the Logistics officer as may be agreed on and the vouchers are to show the whole of the services performed within the period.
1364. Pilot’s Accommodation. (1) The Captain shall arrange for the pilot, during his stay on board, to be accommodated in situation convenient for his attending to his duty and shall see that he is treated with proper attention and respect. A pilot will mess as the Captain may direct.
(2) When embarking or disembarking a pilot, a ladder of adequate length and strength with sufficient width of trade, and fitted with two manropes, shall always be provided. At night, when circumstances permit, the ladder shall be suitably illuminated.
1365. Certificate and Payment. (1) The Captain shall give a pilot, when employed, certificate on the appropriate official form showing the exact positions from and to which the ship was piloted.
(2) At various ports both in India and abroad, the rates payable to local pilots may depend on Net, Gross or Standard Displacement. Care shall be taken that the appropriate figure is correctly entered on the pilotage account form or card. In cases where the ship’s Displacement Tonnage is required to be kept secret, the ship’s Gross Tonnage shall be quoted on the pilotage form, when the ship is piloted at a point where the Standard Displacement is the normal basis. List of ships whose Standard Displacement may not b disclosed, will be promulgated from time to time by the Chief of the Naval Staff. The following special rules re applicable in the Kiel Canal: -
(a) In the Suez Canal the Tonnage according to the Danube rule is used.
(b) In the Kiel Canal the Net register Tonnage of a warship for the purpose of assessing transit dues is determined by dividing the Gross Tonnage by 1.7.
(3) The Government of India Tonnage certificate, which shows th Gross and Net register, also the Danube tonnage is furnished to all Indian Naval Ships on completion, or re-measurement after structural alterations, and will be ound in the Captain’s Ship’s Book.
(4) Care shall be taken to ascertain from the local authorities on which class of Tonnage, Pilotage is correctly payable. Pilotage of Merchant Vessels – see regulation
0225.
1366-1367. Blank SECTUIB IV – GROUNDING, COLLISION ND DEFINATION OF THE NAVIGATING OFFICER AND THE DIRECTION OFFICER
1368. Report of Collision. (1) Immediately upon the occurrence of a collision between any Indian Naval Ships and another vessel, whether in Indian waters or elsewhere, the Captain shall report the matter by signal to the Chief of the Naval Staff stating, so far as possible, whether the other vessel is considered to be at fault, where she shall be found up to what date, her port of registry, her owner’s name and address, and furnishing a rough preliminary estimate of the cost of and time required for, repair to the Indian Naval Ship, or alternatively, indicating whether the damage appears to be serious. The report by signal must be followed without delay by the transmission of a full written report of form IN 868, which shall be forwarded through the Administrative Authority, and should be supported by statements in detail, from such of the officers and crew as the Captain may consider desirable, of the circumstances of the occurrence. See also regulation 1331(1).
(2) A careful note should be made of the foregoing details whenever one of Indian Naval Ships comes into such close proximity to another vessel that there is the possibility of damage having been done, as claims in respect of damage are often received when, on subsequent inquiry, the Captain has report that no apparent damage was caused or that no record of the incident is held.
1369. Preservation of Documents. (1) Whenever a grounding or collision or narrow escape from a grounding or collision occurs, care should be taken to preserve the Ship’s log. Engineering master log, the Navigating officer’s note book (regulation 1305) the plot if in use, and the charts by which the Indian Naval Ship was being navigated at the time.
(2) Entries shall be erased, but if correction is found to be necessary the entry should be crossed through so that the correction may be shown, and the alteration initialled. Subsequent marking or amendment of the chart or plot should not, in any circumstances, be made.
(3) If the Indian Naval Ship is paid of before the case is settled, these books should be forwarded to the Chief of the Naval Staff, with a reference sheet giving the necessary reference to the incident.
1370. Joint Survey of Damage. (1) When collisions occur or are alleged to have occurred, it is of great importance that the damage caused or alleged so to have been caused to both ships shall be jointly surveyed at the earliest possible moment by competent surveyors representing the Government of India and the owners of the other vessel. The reports of these surveys should give an accurate description of the damage together with full details of the repairs necessary, an estimate of the cost of such repairs, and the time required to affect them. It should also be stated whether docking is required to enable repairs to e undertaken, and if so, the amount included in the total cost to cover docking charges should be stated. Details of the repairs and the time required should be agreed to by both surveyors. If possible, the estimate of cost should also be agreed; but if agreement cannot be reached the surveyor representing the Government of India should give his estimate of the cost of repairs.
Such reports of survey should be forwarded to the Chief of the Naval Staff and in cases of considerable damage, should be accompanied by diagrams showing in detail the nature of the damage surveyed, together with photographs when practicable, and all information which will enable the angle of the blow and the direction and force of the impact to be determined. These particulars are required for the information of the Government of India only and should not in any circumstance be supplied to the representatives of the owner of the other vessel. These surveys should be made on all occasions of collision, even though it is believed that the blame for the accident rests entirely upon the other vessel. If the collision occurs in or near a dockyard, the Admiral Superintendent should at once be informed so that he may arrange for the surveys. If the collision occurs elsewhere in Indian waters, arrangements for the surveys will be made by the nearest Naval authority who shall be similarly informed.
If the collision occurs outsider Indian waters, the nearest diplomatic or Consular Representative of India will be similarly informed so that he may arrange for survey by a competent person.
(2) It is important that in all communications with the owner or representatives of the other vessels, in regard to surveys or otherwise in relation to the collision, in order to avoid the suggestion of an admission of liability or the waiver of any legal right, it should be made clear that the action in question is being taken “without prejudice”. These words imply that the action proposed to be taken does not involve any acceptance of liability.
(3) In order to ensure that the owners of the other vessel shall be informed when the survey of an Indian Naval Ship by their representative can take place, the following instructions shall be observed: -
(a) If an Indian Naval Ship which is damaged has to proceed at once to a Naval dockyard for repair and it is more convenient for the survey to take place there, all arrangements with the owners of the other vessels as to the survey shall be made by the dockyard officers, who should also, if requested by the Captain of Indian Naval Ships, make arrangements for the survey of the other vessel, if the latter is in the neighbourhood of the dockyard. This rule will also apply to surveys of under water damage to an Indian Naval Ship, which may have been postponed until subsequent docking. In every case in which it is necessary for an Indian Naval ship to proceed to a dockyard for the repair of damage due to collision, it is desirable that the Captain of an Indian Naval Ship should inform the Admiral Superintendent and the chief of the Naval Staff, or any correspondence that has passed between him and the owners of the vessel, and whether, and if so by whom any survey has already been made of either vessel. The Admiral Superintendent will then be responsible for seeing that all necessary steps are taken to arrange the requisite surveys and will arrange with the Captain for the attendance of officers able to point out the collision damage. Where it is desirable that the survey of underwater damage should be postponed until the next periodical docking of an Indian Naval Ship, the Captain shall arrange with the owner of the other vessel accordingly, informing him that further definite arrangements will be made by the dockyard concerned. He shall also inform the Admiral superintendent of the Dockyard of the arrangements made with the owner of the other vessel, giving the latter’s name and address.
(b)If an Indian Naval Ship, which is damaged, has to proceed to a commercial port for repairs, the same procedure should be followed as in clause (a), all the arrangements being made by the Senior Officer of the area or the Captain
1371. Damage to docks and wharves. Similar action in all respects both as to reports and as to surveys, should (so far as applicable) be taken when damage has been caused to docks, locks, basins, wharves and piers not owned or controlled by the Government of India, by one of Indian Naval Ships, or to docks, locks, basins, wharves and piers owned or occupied by the Government of India, by a privately owned vessel. The Senior Officer should make use of the services of a technical officer whenever one is available in the district for the purposes of the survey of such damage. See regulations 1331 to 1334
1372. Private ships at Naval Dockyard. If n any special circumstances if should be necessary for repairs to a private vessel damaged in collision with one of Indian Naval Ships to be carried out in a Naval dockyard because other resources are not available, work should not be ordered or taken in hand until the owners or their agents have made written application for this to be done at their charge, but without prejudice to the question of liability for the collision as between the Government of India and themselves.
1373. Stores Lost or Damaged. Whenever a collision occurs between one of the Indian Naval Ships and another vessel, complete lists of all naval armament, victualling, clothing and medical stores lost or damaged as a consequence of the collision or while affecting repairs, shall be prepared at the earliest possible moment nd sent to the Administrative Authority and the Chief of the Naval Staff. These lists need not be valued, but should be accompanied by a statement giving the proportion of the original value at the time of loss. A valued list of private effects lost or damaged should also be forwarded. A detailed statement of the cost of any repairs effected to either ship by the ship’s staff, should accompany those lists.
1374. Settlement of Small Claims for Compensation. (1) Settlement of small claims for compensation for damage done by IN Ships (and hired transport) to private ships, etc. may be made by the authorities so empowered in the Financial Regulations, Schedule XXI (Appendix II – Part II-Navy), subject to the financial limits and other conditions therein laid down.
(2) If settlement has been made as above or if disciplinary action has been taken, the facts should be reported on form IN 868.
(3) Except as provided above, there should not be any acceptance of liability and except in extreme cases, to save life or to avert further serious damage to ship or cargo, no steps should be taken to effect repairs to the private ship, etc., nor should anything be done which may be construed as an admission of liability, until orders from the Government of India have been received.
1375. Legal Procedure, Bail, etc. (1) When the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer considers it necessary for the purpose of civil proceedings, he will make arrangements with the Captain for a representative to visit the Indian Naval Ship to obtain information and evidence whilst the events are still fresh in the minds of witnesses. As it would be to the advantage of the Government of India to produce in any civil legal proceedings the evidence of surveyors accustomed to dealing with collision litigation, the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer has been authorised to instruct such a surveyor, when he considers it necessary, to report to him after surveying both ships. The arrangements will be made direct by the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer with the Captain of the ship or with the Admiral Superintendent of the Dockyard as required.
(2) Any ship other than a ship owned by a foreign state, that has caused injury to any ship or other property of the Government of India can be arrested through the established legal procedure by the proper officer of any court having jurisdiction and the requisite steps to this end will be taken by the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer direct or through agents he may appoint for the purpose.
(3) Legal Proceedings should not be taken or authorised in any court by any officer either in India or abroad, without the sanction of the Government of India.
1376. Detention of Shi. (1) Any commissioned officer of the Indian Navy is empowered under section 69 of the Merchant Shipping Act 1958 to detain a ship where its detention is authorised or ordered under that Act. (See section 69 of the Merchant Shopping Act, 1958).
(2) When the power of detention is exercised, a signal or telegram starting the name of the ship detained and where she is detained shall be sent at once by the officer who has det5ained her to the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Administrative Authority. The local officer of customs shall also be informed. The Chief of the Naval Staff shall inform the Government of India and the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer so that legal action if any, may be taken.
(3) The purpose of detention or arrest of a ship anywhere is to obtain security to meet the claims of the Government of India but if prompt notice is given to the Government of India security can usually be obtained by the Government solicitor or the appropriate Law officer by agreed bail. Where, however, it is found essential in cases of special urgency for officer abroad to fix the amount of security locally, regard must be has to the possibility that the claim will include charges for loss of use of Indian Naval Ship, pay and allowances of officers and crew during the period of such loss of use and charges for use of dock, plant, and other dockyard facilities.
1377. The Navigating Officer. The Navigating officer is the specialist Navigation Direction officer, qualified in navigation, who is appointed for or who is carrying out navigating duties, or in a ship where no qualified Navigation Direction officer is borne for Navigating duties, the officer whom the Captain may direct to carry out these duties. See regulation 1301.
1378. The Direction Officer. The direction officer is the specialist Navigation Direction officer, qualified in Aircraft Direction (or the senior of such officers if two or more are borne), who is appointed for or is carrying out Aircraft Direction duties. The duties of Direction officer are not be carried out by a nonspecialist officer. See regulation 1320.
CHAPTER 14 INSTRUCTION TO THE GUNNERY OFFICER Section Regulations I. The Gunnery Officer 1401 – 1410 II. The Special Duties List (Gunner) Officer (SDG) 1411 – 1415 III The Special Duties List (Air Engineer) Officer (SDAE) (borne for explosive accounting duties) 1416 – 1417 SECTION I – THE GUNNERY OFFICER