Lookout

The continuous watch maintained by sight, hearing and all appropriate available means to detect and assess relevant hazards.

A lookout may be a specifically assigned person or a duty shared within a watch, depending on vessel, conditions and applicable requirements. The task includes detecting vessels, lights, shapes, sound signals, navigation marks, floating objects, weather and changes in the vessel’s surroundings.

Radar, AIS, cameras and alarms can assist but do not replace human observation and judgement or detect every hazard. Position, distractions, fatigue, visibility, hearing, workload and communication all affect effectiveness, and the person conning or steering may not be able to provide an adequate lookout alone.