What is the first action you should take if your vessel experiences a blackout while under the watch of a pilot?

Sounding the general alarm is the first action you should take when your vessel experiences a blackout while under the watch of a pilot. This is crucial because the general alarm alerts everyone on board to the emergency situation, ensuring that all crew members are aware and can respond rapidly. It sets the stage for any necessary safety protocols to be followed, helps prevent panic, and ensures that all personnel are prepared to assist with the situation at hand.

Following the alarm, the crew can then proceed with subsequent actions, such as alerting the pilot, managing emergency steering, and initiating engine restart procedures. Each of these steps is important, but they rely on ensuring that all team members are informed and ready to act safely and effectively in response to the blackout situation. Immediate communication and coordination among the crew are essential to maintain safety and order during an emergency, which justifies the priority of sounding the alarm first.