Chief Mate Orals - Unlimited

STCW Reg - II/2 SYLLABUS DECK - B

CHIEF MATE - UNLIMITED and MASTER - UNLIMITED - SHIPS LESS THAN
3,000GT
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge outlined in this
oral examination syllabus and oral examination syllabus Deck - C, by the
appropriate responses, anticipations and reactions to a range of routine, non-
routine and contingency scenarios as presented by the examiner, from the
perspective of CHIEF MATE and MASTER.

TOPIC 1 NAVIGATION
.1 Plan and Conduct Safe Navigation
a) passage planning with respect to the use of navigational publications
including navigational charts (including ECDIS and RCDS), sailing
directions, light lists, tide tables, radio navigational warnings and ships’
routeing information;
b) the requirements of ship routeing and mandatory reporting systems;
c) IALA systems of maritime buoyage;
d) electronic navigational systems - limitations and sources of error, methods
of correction;
e) radar and ARPA - practical use of, modes of operation, limitations, sources
of error and parallel indexing;
f) sources of meteorological information, ability to use and interpret
information obtained from ship borne meteorological instruments, (the
instruments supplied by the Meteorological Office will be taken as
standard), knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems,
reporting and recording systems.

.2 Establishing Safe Navigational Watchkeeping Arrangements and

Procedures
a) a thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watchkeeping at
sea, including under pilotage, and watchkeeping at anchor and in port;
b) a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the
International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea;
c) conduct in and near traffic separation schemes and vessel traffic service
(VTS) areas;
d) understand the use of bridge equipment, including rate of turn indicators,
course recorders, echo sounders and NAVTEX;
e) knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot,
operational procedures and change-over from manual to automatic control
and vice-versa, adjustment of controls for optimum performance;
f) knowledge and application of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide;
g) a knowledge of principles of establishing a safe engineering watch at sea,
anchor and in port.

.3 Compasses
a) use, care and limitations of the magnetic and gyro compasses, and
associated equipment
a) including automatic pilot.

.4 Manoeuvre the Ship

a) conning the ship, effects of wind and current, effects of dead-weight, draft,
trim, speed and under-keel clearance on turning circles and stopping
distances; interaction and squat.
b) berthing and unberthing at jetties, quays, mooring buoys and single-point
moorings with/without tugs, with/without tidal stream, with/without wind;
c) manoeuvres in restricted waters and open ocean waters;
Chief Mate Orals - Unlimited

d) embarking and disembarking pilots;

e) limitations of remote control operation of marine power plant and auxiliary
machinery;
f) anchors: different types of anchors and their advantages and
disadvantages, preparation for anchoring, anchoring in a tideway and in
confined water, operation of anchoring with a single anchor and use of a
second anchor, dragging anchor, clearing a foul anchor and hawse,
hanging off an anchor, breaking and slipping cables, getting under way;
g) navigation in the vicinity of ice, ice reporting and steps to be taken in the
event of ice accretion;
h) manoeuvres to launch and recover rescue boats/survival craft.

TOPIC 2 CARGO HANDLING AND STOWAGE

.1 Loading and Unloading of Cargoes
a) use, maintenance and testing of cargo handling equipment on board the
vessel concerned;
b) application of the contents of relevant codes and guidelines concerning the
safe handling of cargoes on board the vessel concerned;
c) knowledge of the effect on trim and stability, of cargoes and cargo
operations on board the vessel concerned;
d) use of stability and trim information, use of stress-calculating equipment,
knowledge of loading cargoes and ballasting with respect to stability and
hull stress.

.2 Stowage, Securing and Care of Cargoes

a) application of the contents of relevant regulations, codes and guidelines
concerning the safe stowage, securing and carriage of cargoes.

TOPIC 3 RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES

.1 Response to Navigational Emergencies
a) measures to be taken following: accidental damage including collision,
grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, including the possibility
of beaching a ship; protection of the marine environment;
b) knowledge of the effect on trim and stability, and subsequent actions in
the event of damage to and consequent flooding of a compartment;
c) preparations and precautions for towing and being towed;
d) use of the International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue
(IAMSAR) Manual (Volume III), distress and emergency signals; Search and
Rescue (SAR) around the UK and world-wide;
e) SAR and rescue plans for passenger ships;
f) knowledge of the operation of emergency steering systems.

.2 Respond to Other Emergencies

a) the organisation and direction of fire-fighting and abandon ship parties;
b) methods of dealing with fire on board ship; prevention of fire at sea and in
port;
c) action to be taken to prevent the spread of fire;
d) operation, maintenance and testing of fire fighting equipment, fire doors,
dampers, screens and detection equipment;
e) operation, maintenance and testing of watertight doors, sidescuttles and
scuppers;
f) launch, manage and ensure survival in survival craft, recover survival craft
at sea and beach or land survival craft;
g) operation, maintenance and testing of lifesaving appliances;
h) knowledge of the contents of SOLAS training manuals;
Chief Mate Orals - Unlimited

i) action to be taken when disabled and in distress;

j) assisting a ship or aircraft in distress; rescuing the passengers and crew of
a disabled ship or ditched aircraft;
k) safety during helicopter operations.

.3 Communications
a) correct use of distress signals and awareness of penalties for misuse;
b) emergency communications within the GMDSS regulations;
c) sources of radio medical advice.

TOPIC 4 ONBOARD SHIP OPERATIONS

.1 Compliance with Pollution Prevention Requirements
a) measures to be taken to prevent pollution in port and at sea;
b) take appropriate action in response to pollution incidents on board and
found at sea;
c) knowledge of the contents of the SOPEP manual, Garbage Management
Plan and use of provided anti-pollution equipment;
d) practical knowledge of the requirements of MARPOL Conventions;
e) knowledge of responsibilities, duties, obligations and liabilities in respect of
pollution.

.2 Seaworthiness of the Ship

a) preparations for sea prior to sailing with respect to watertight integrity and
additional precautions to be taken before the onset of heavy weather;
b) practical knowledge of the particular loadline items affecting
seaworthiness;
c) action in event of cargo shift, damage to hull or hatches, loss of cargo
overboard or ingress of water into hull;
d) preparation for dry-docking and undocking with and without
cargo/damage; general procedure and precautions to be observed;
e) use and care of deck machinery commonly fitted.

.3 Crew Management
a) knowledge of personnel management, organisation and training including
disciplinary procedures;
b) application of hours of work and rest legislation.

.4 Maintain Safety of Ships Crew and Passengers

a) master’s responsibility with respect to stowaways and prevention of
smuggling;
b) precautions to safeguard against terrorism, piracy and armed robbery;
c) methods of pest control - fumigation of holds and living spaces; safeguards
in applying various methods.

.5 Legislative Requirements
a) knowledge of the application of current Merchant Shipping Health and
Safety legislation, including the Code of Safe Working Practices for
Merchant Seamen and the main elements of Risk Assessment;
b) Improvement and Prohibition Notices;
Chief Mate Orals - Unlimited

c) safe manning, crew agreements, conditions of employment, official log

book and the law relating to entries;
d) understanding of load line marks, entries and reports in respect of
freeboard, draft and allowances;
e) routine inspection of living quarters and store rooms, and complaints
procedure;
f) requirements for records including Oil Record Book;
g) requirements for drills and training;
h) the requirements of the regulations concerning fire-fighting appliances;
i) knowledge of the requirements of the regulations concerning life-saving
appliances;
j) knowledge of the international conventions relevant to the operation of
ships including
a) certificates and other documents required to be carried on board ships;
k) requirements for statutory and classification surveys;
l) reports required by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).;
m) putting into port with damage to ship and/or cargo, both from business and
technical points of view - safeguarding of cargo;
n) obligations with respect to pilotage;
o) towage and salvage agreements;
p) purpose of Flag State and Port State Control;
q) purpose and application of the International Safety Management (ISM)
Code.