+H. Keep lookouts posted after dark, or in fog. Comply with all the regulations for preventing collisions at sea. Call Captain if it gets thick; start fog signals at once.+
+I. Report all unusual changes in sea or weather to the Captain. If engines stop, or slow down without orders from the bridge, call Captain at once.+
+J. Take bearings on the course whenever suitable stars are available. Call Captain at any unusual change in deviation, or error.+
+K. Get sights when favorable conditions present themselves. Report all fixes to the Captain, on Officers' Report Blanks, show bearings, and time (ship) and log readings.+
+L. All officers must read and sign these STANDING ORDERS, and must read and sign the night order book at the beginning of their watch, before taking over the course.+
The night orders are usually written up by the Master in the dog watch and are signed by the officer coming on for the first night watch, eight to midnight.
They may be amended and added to at any time. If the Master adds anything to the orders he will relieve the officer of the watch, while his added instructions are being read and initialed, if necessary.
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.
CALL THE CAPTAIN, if a junior officer, call the Chief Mate also.
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.