The Night Order Book is an important tool for the Master to communicate specific instructions and safety precautions to the Officers of the Watch during the vessel’s night passage. The Night Order should be regularly updated to reflect the actual voyage conditions, weather, navigational area and operational status of the vessel, while remaining consistent with the Company’s SMS and relevant OCIMF/SIRE 2.0 practices.

For LPG/LNG carriers, oil tankers and chemical tankers, particular attention should be given to navigational safety, CPA/TCPA, weather conditions, navigational equipment, cargo operations and other vessel-specific risks. For LPG/LNG carriers, additional considerations may include cargo tank pressure and temperature, the reliquefaction plant, gas detection systems and cargo tank conditions.

NIGHT ORDER BOOK

Below is a sample Night Order suitable for LPG/LNG carriers, oil tankers and chemical tankers, in line with OCIMF/SIRE 2.0 practices. SIRE 2.0 does not, of course, require a specific format, but emphasizes that the Night Order should reflect the actual conditions of the voyage and be consistent with the Company’s SMS, rather than simply containing copied and repetitive information.

MASTER'S NIGHT ORDERS

Date / Month / Year: __________________

Voyage No.: ___________________________

Call the Master immediately if:

Visibility falls below _____ NM or fog is encountered.

CPA is less than _____ NM or TCPA is less than _____ minutes.

There is any risk of collision or grounding.

The vessel’s position cannot be determined or there is any suspicion of abnormal ECDIS/GPS operation.

There are significant changes in wind, current or weather conditions.

A deviation from the planned passage is required.

The vessel is approaching a TSS, narrow channel or shallow water.

Any alarm is activated on the steering gear, ECDIS, Radar, GMDSS or other navigational equipment.

Fishing vessels, small craft or increased traffic density are detected.

Any cargo-related incident or malfunction of the cargo system or reliquefaction system (for LPG/LNG carriers) occurs.

A gas leak, gas detection alarm, or abnormal cargo tank pressure/temperature is detected.

There is any instruction from VTS, Pilot or Port Authority, or whenever there is any doubt concerning safety.

In addition, the following shall be carried out:

Maintain the Bridge Watch in accordance with the SMS.

Check the vessel’s position in accordance with the Passage Plan.

Monitor CPA/TCPA using Radar and AIS.

Check weather conditions at regular intervals.

Record all significant events in the Bell Book and Deck Log Book.

Do not hesitate to call the Master whenever in doubt.

Master’s Signature: __________________

Read and understood and signed by the Officer of the Watch:

Watch 2000 - 2400: __________________

Watch 0000 - 0400: __________________

Watch 0400 - 0800: __________________

Note:

The Night Order shall be written or updated daily by the Master.

The contents shall be appropriate to the actual voyage, weather conditions, navigational area and operational condition of the vessel.

All Officers of the Watch shall sign to acknowledge having read and understood the Night Order before taking over the watch.

The Night Order is a supplementary document to the Master’s Standing Orders and does not replace the Master’s Standing Orders.

For LPG carriers, the Night Order will normally include additional limits and precautions concerning cargo tank pressure and temperature, the condition of the reliquefaction plant, gas detection, cargo tank pressure, and precautions when navigating in areas of high traffic density or adverse weather conditions, as these are among the matters commonly checked during SIRE 2.0 vetting inspections.

Properly maintaining and updating the Night Order Book helps ensure effective bridge watchkeeping, enhances navigational safety and supports proactive risk management throughout the voyage. Clear instructions from the Master, together with the Officers’ responsibility to promptly report any uncertainty or safety concern, are essential to maintaining a strong safety culture on board and supporting compliance with SIRE 2.0 vetting expectations.