Action when ice is sighted by Duty Officer or Officer on Watch ?

• All ice is dangerous to navigation and should be reported to Master immediately on sighting.
• The OOW should alter the course away from the immediate danger in accordance with SI No.534.

Subsequent actions by OOW

• Plot the position of the Ice, observe and note description.
  • Estimate size of the ice cake.
  • Take care when position fixing with fast ice.
  • Avoid totally if possible – unlike brash ice.
• Enter a statement into the logbook with time and dates.
• Engine room on immediate standby, if not already on this position.
• Post extra lookouts and brief them regarding ice sightings and recognition.
• Revert to manual steering.
• Obtain latest Ice reports and compare with chart limits.
• Reduce speed and approach with extreme caution, if unavoidable.
• Keep Master informed of the progress.

You may also know :

Obligatory reports are required from masters of ships which encounter dangerous ice on route.