Upon notification of a grounding in your AOR, what is the first action the OIC should take?

The first action the Officer in Charge (OIC) should take upon notification of a grounding in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) is to ascertain if the aids are watching properly. This is crucial because the function and reliability of navigation aids directly contribute to ensuring the safety of vessels in the area. By verifying that these aids are operational, the OIC can determine if any malfunction may have contributed to the grounding incident or if further guidance is needed to assist other mariners.

Understanding the status of navigation aids helps in assessing potential threats to navigation and allows the OIC to take informed next steps to mitigate risks or coordinate rescue operations. It serves as a foundation for a safe, structured, and effective response to the incident at hand. This initial verification is vital for situational awareness, which informs the OIC's subsequent actions.