B777 Undifferentiated or Other Model
Flight Crew Multiengine; Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP); Flight Crew Instrument
Communication Breakdown
ATC Issue All Types; Deviation - Track / Heading All Types; Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance
Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Procedure; Human Factors
On the EWR4 SID off of Runway 4 we contacted departure after tower switched use. The initial controller gave use to climb to 5;000 ft. We responded with the altitude still on the SID. The same controller gave use a second climb instructions to 10;000 ft. and now we are turning west on the SID. We switched to the second controller and checked in still on the SID. He gave use a turn to 090 heading right turn. Then asked us why we are not on an assigned heading. We responded we never received a heading instructions. All four of us agreed we never heard a heading assignment on initial contact with departure. There was no aircraft conflict during the climb.
B777 pilot reported receiving confusing clearances from ATC while flying the EWR4 Departure procedure.