Lookout
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- For other uses, see Lookout (disambiguation).
A lookout or look-out is a person on a ship in charge of the observation of the sea for hazards, other ships, land, etc.
Lookouts have been traditionally placed in high on masts, in crow's nests and tops.
The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972) says in part:
- Every vessel must at all times keep a proper look-out by sight (day shape or lights by eyes or visual aids), hearing (sound signal or Marine VHF radio) and all available means (e.g. Radar, ARPA, AIS, GMDSS...) in order to judge if risk of collision exists.
By analogy, the term "lookout" is also used to describe a person who accompanies criminals during the commission of a crime, and warns them of the impending approach of hazards: that is, police or eyewitnessses. Although lookouts typically do not actually participate in the crime, they can nonetheless be charged with aiding and abetting or with conspiracy, or as accomplices.
