DUTIES OF OFFICER OF THE WATCH

BRIDGE PREPARATION

1. Ensure passage plan is in order, with all charts and other publications
2. Chart equipment, pencils, parallel rules, dividers
3. Bridge ancillary equipment – Binoculars, Azimuth Rings, Aldis, Perolus, Sextant etc.
4. Monitoring – course recorder, echo sounder Paper, engine movement recorder etc.
Gyro and repeaters lined up
5. All instrument lighting ok, spare bulbs available
6. Navigation and signal lights ok, spare bulb available
7. All navigation equipment on and ok, inc. radar
8. Communications – telephone, walkie talkies Navtex, Inmarsat, GMDSS, talk back
9. Telegraphs, thrusters, steering gear tested
10. Windows clean ,wipers/washers work, ok
11. Clocks synchronised
12. Everything stowed away
13. New navigation warning checked

BRIDGE ORANISATION

PLAN

Preparation Execution

Appraisal Planning Organisation Monitoring

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APPRAISAL

Information sources

Chart catalogue, Navigation charts

Ocean passages of the world
Routing charts, Sailing directions
Lights lists, Tide tables/Stream atlases
Notices to Mariners, Routing information
Radio station, Information (VTS & Pilots)
Local radio warnings, Climatic information
Load line chart, Distance tables
Navigation

PLANNING

Charts (correct order; corrected) No go areas

Margin of safety, Safe Water
Open water track (G.C. etc; Way Points)
Coastal track (as above) Chart change
Track considerations – Distance of hazards
Regulations, Deviation from track
Under keel clearance, Tide window
Tide/current allowance, parallel indexing
Course alteration and wheel over, ARPA Mapping
Contingencies/Aborts Buoyage
Positioning fixing (primary, secondary, regularity, radar conspic. Visual landfalls)
Reporting points, Traffic areas
Stations (Anchor ready, Pilot boarding, Tug(s), locks, Berthing)
Transit (Compass error, Leading lights & lines, clearing marks, Heading marks, Clearing
bearings, Range of light)

EXECUTION

Tactics;
ETAs (Tides, Traffics, Daylights, etc.)
Tidal stream
Plan modification
Additional personal (Lookout, Master, Stations, E.R standby)
Briefing

2
MONITORING

Fixing methods (primary, Secondary)

Visual bearings (Frequency, Regularity)
D.R/E.P
Soundings, X-tracks error
ROR, Lookout (Rules)
Care of on situation leading to a worse one (non Navigational Emergency)
Time management – ETAs, Tides
Under keel clearance, Leading lights/lines
Clearing marks/Bearings
Rising/Dipping distances
Light sectors

BRIGDE TEAM MANGEMENT

ERRORS Caused by CASUALTIES

Ambiguities Weak organisation
Distraction Poor lookout
Can be avoided by
Increasing lookouts and watch keepers
Precise instructions for calling Master
Reduce speed
Manning wheel
Precise drills for changing Auto – hand
Using echo sounder
Pre planning track
Pre planning Pilot
Regain track after deviation
Monitor progress
Use more then one (1) Position Fixing Device
Double-check all decisions/positions

CARIAGE OF NAUTICAL PUBLICATION – Merchant Ships and Fishing Vessels

The Merchant shipping (Carriage of Nautical Publications) Regulations 1998 came into
force on 1st December 1998. These Regulations require UK – registered vessel, including
hovercraft and fishing vessels, where they may be, and other vessels while in UK waters, except
vessels less than 12 metres in length and pleasure craft) to carry charts and other nautical
publications as are necessary for the intended voyage.

3
 In addition all sea going passenger vessels and all other ships of 300 gross tons or more shall
carry the International Code of Signals published by the International Maritime Organisation.
For the purpose of these Regulations “sea-going” means proceeding beyond the waters of
categories A, B, C and D (as currently defined in Merchant shipping Notices No. 1504 and No.
1569

The charts referred to the above must be of such a scale and contain sufficient detail to
clearly show all relevant navigational marks, known navigational hazards, and information
concerning ship routeing measures and ship reporting schemes. They must also be the latest
obtainable editions and kept corrected and up to date from the latest obtainable Notices to
Mariners and radio navigational warnings.

Nautical publication must also be the latest obtainable edition and incorporate the latest
relevant supplements and corrections. However, only those publications listed in Part B of the
Schedule to the Regulations which are relevant to the vessels voyage and operation need be
carried.

The Regulations are intended to build upon previous legislation which formed the basis of
good and safe practices already followed by the majority of seafarers.

Publication To Be Carried By UK Ships

Part A – Publications which must be carried by sea-going passenger vessel’s voyage and all
vessels over 300 gross tons
International Code of Signals
The Mariner’s Handbook

Part B – Publications for which only those parts relevant to vessel’s voyage and operation must
be carried
Merchant Shipping Notices, Marine Guidance Notes and Marine Information Notes
Notices to Mariners
Lists of Radio Signals
Lists of Lights
Sailing Directions
Nautical Almanac
Navigation Tables
Tide Tables
Tidal Stream Atlases
Operating and Maintenance Instructions for navigational aids carried.

4
Questions and Answers

Q. What is an ‘M’ Notices, also referred to as a Merchant Shipping Notices, and who is
it issued by?
An ‘M’ Notices is a recommendation on the safe practice within the marine industry. They are
issued by the Department of Trade and apply to the mercantile marine, fishing or offshore
industries.

Q. What is contained in the weekly Notices to Mariners?

All index to all chart corrections effective in that issue,
Temporary and preliminary notices,
Corrections to charts,
Corrections to light lists,
Corrections to Radio Signals,
Corrections to admiralty sailing directions and
Navigational Warning.

BRIDGE WATCH KEEPING

Questions and Answers.

Q. What action would you take when approaching a Fog Bank.

Main engines would be placed on immediate ‘stand by’ and the vessel’s speed reduced
to what must be considered safe.
Lookouts would be placed and radar made fully operational, with plotting on targets in
the vicinity.
Fog signals would be sounded before entering the fog bank, and the Master of the
vessel informed of the reduced visibility.
If possible, the vessel’s position would be ascertained before she entered the fog bank.

Q. What action as an officer of the watch on sighting a vessel aground, right ahead.
Take all way off own vessel
Inform the Master of the vessel
Operate echo-sounding equipment
Check the position of both vessels
Call up the vessel aground, and ascertain the draught and time of grounding (for tide purpose).
Navigate with extreme caution (Rule 8, e)

Q. When joining a new ship as a watch officer, what would you check with regard to
ship’s radar?
Operate the performance monitor to ensure that the radar set was functioning
correctly.
Check blind sector arcs, and familiarise yourself with all the controls of the set, before
getting underway.
Q. As Officer Of the Watch on a vessel at anchor, and you discover that another
vessel is dragging its anchor and is in facts dragging down towards your own

5
 vessel. What sequence of actions would you expect to go through?
Order main engines ready for immediate use.
Order an anchor party to standby forward.
Sound 5 short and rapid blasts on the ship’s whistle.
Inform the Master of the situation immediately.
Draw the attention of the vessel dragging her anchor by calling up on the VHF.
Additionally, call attention to the situation by use of the Aldis Lamp.
Stan by to;
Pay out more cables,
Heave away on the cable and move the vessel forward,
Go ahead on engines and stream over your own cable, and
Provide the vessel with a sheer, by a hard over action of the rudder.

MANOVERBOARD

Officer of the Watch should immediately;

 Helm hard over the wheel to the side from which the man fell
 Sound emergency stations
 Release bridge wing lifebuoy, smoke and light float
 Press man overboard button on GPS
 Engine to stand by.

The OOW remains in charge of the vessel as the emergency situation progresses, until relieved
by the Master. He must continue to keep a lookout and navigate the vessel safely, with due
regard to other traffic, depth of water and sea room.

He must also decide which will be the most suitable manoeuvre to make as to best recover the
man overboard, with due regard to the current situation and use the helm and engines
accordingly (remembering that the helm was initially placed hard over).

In addition to the above the OOW should;

 Post lookouts – As high as possible
 Inform the Master of situation
 Inform rescue boat crew of the situation
 Inform emergency parties to prepare vessel for survivors (see below) inform all vessels in
vicinity (hoist ‘O’ flag, sound ‘O’ on the whistle)
 Prepare Mayday message – send with the Master’s authorisation
 Man on the wheel
 Slow down vessel
 Proceed with suitable manoeuvre to rescue Man Overboard.

SUITABLE MANOEUVRES WHEN PICKING UP A

MAN OVERBOARD.

6
Williamson Turn
Procedure;
1. Man overboard on port side
2. Rudder hard over to swing stern away from the man
 Release lifebuoy
 Sound emergency station
 Main engine stand by
 Place look-outs
3. When the ship‘s heading is 60 degrees away from the initial course, reverse the rudder to
same angle in the opposite direction
4. Maintain the rudder angle until coming to the reciprocal course;
 Steady
 Stop ship to pick up the man

ANCHOR WATCH DUTIES

(Questions and Answers)

Q. When about to bring the vessel to a single anchorage, what factors would you check and
investigate before letting go the anchor?
Carefully investigate of the charted area to obtain;
 Depth of the water,
 Type of the holding ground and tidal effects,
 The option for good well spaced anchor-bearing points.

Obtain a current and long-area weather forecast and consider a sheltered anchorage position,
preferably in the lee of the land away from prevailing winds.

The anchorage should not to be so close to the land as to pose a threat of a lee shore in the
event of wind change.

Prepare an anchor approach plan beforehand.

FIRE FIGHTING APPLIANCES (FFA)

7
GENERAL

Fire Pumps

Vessels > 1000 tons must have 2 fire pumps capable of producing 1 jet of water from any 2
hydrants.

Vessel of 500 tons or more must have at least 1 fire pump capable of
but < 1000 tons delivering 1 jet of water from any 2 hydrants.

Vessels of 500 tons or over shall have an arrangements to connect one of the other
pumps (e.g GS, bilge or ballast) to be connected to the fire
main and produce the required pressure and jet of water.

Vessels of 500 tons or over must have an independently driven power operated
emergency fire pump, installed separated from the main
fire pumps.

Fire Main

Ships to be provided with fire main, water service pipes and hydrants with no connection other
than for washing down.

Hoses

Outside Machinery Spaces 1 fire hose for every 30 metres of ships length, at least 5
hoses such that the total hose length shall be at least 60%
of the ships length plus one spare hose

Hydrants

Sufficient hydrants to produce 2 jets of water from separate hydrants at any point in the ship,
with one of those jets coming from a single length of hose.

Appliances

Sufficient to produce 2 jets of water at any point in the ship from separated hydrants

Portable Fire Extinguishers

8
Every ship of 500 tons or over shall be provided with sufficient portable fire extinguishers to
ensure that at least 1 such extinguisher will be readily available for use in any part of the
accommodation spaces, service spaces and control spaces

Vessels of 500 tons or over

but < 1000 tons at least 3 portable fire extinguishers

Vessels of 1000 tons or over at least 5 portable fire extinguishers

Fixed Fire – extinguisher Arrangements in Cargo Spaces

Vessels of 1000 tons or over shall be fitted with a fixed fire smothering gas installation

MACHINERY SPACES – INTERNAL COMBUSTION (DIESEL)

Vessel of 500 tons or over shall be provided at least one of the following:
a) A fixed pressure water spraying system
b) A fixed gas fire extinguishing system or
c) A fixed high expansion foam system

1 or more foam fire extinguishers of at least 45 litres

CO₂ fire extinguishers of at least 16 kg

Sufficient in numbers for foam or CO₂ to be directed on to

any pressure systems, gearing or other areas of high fire
risk.

Portable Extinguishers sufficient to ensure at least 1 within every 10 metres for

walking distance, at least 2 (all shall suitable for oil fires)

At least 1 portable foam applicator.

BOILER ROOM

A fixed fire extinguisher system

a) A fixed pressure water spraying
b) A fixed gas system or

9
 c) A fixed high expansion foam system.

1 or more foam fire extinguishers each of at least 135 litres or CO₂ fire extinguishers of at least
45 kg, sufficient to enable foam or CO₂ to reach any part of the boiler spaces.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. There is fire at the manifold, during loading/discharging, what is your action?

 Sound the General Alarm
 Inform terminal to stop loading or discharging
 Muster all crew and head count
 Refer to vessel contingency plan
 Have main engine standby, ready to bring the vessel out of the terminal
 Deck personnel to be ready to make fast the tug
 Commence blanket fire with foam
 Purge cargo tanks with inert gas
 Inform owner, charter and agent and DPA
 Standby party to lower the lifeboat to embarkation deck
 Sound urgency signal to all ships and to the nearest coast station
 Hoist the flag “Y”
 Keep communication with the Ch. Engineer and or the emergency team on the progress of
the fire

INSTRUMENTS

ANEROID BAROMETER
A dry mechanical instrument for measuring changes of pressure in the atmosphere.

10
All Barometric readings, which are to be used for synoptic purposes, must be corrected to
standard datum.

Corrections

Instrument or Index Error

The manufacturer supplies the Index Error Corrections, which relates to errors inherent in the
instrument. However it is important that the instrument is checked frequently by comparing its
readings with that of another Barometer of known accuracy.

Temperature/Height of eye
The Height Correction, obtained from tables, requires the height above mean sea level of the
instrument and Air Temperature, obtained from the marine screen to be known.
Inclusion of air temperature tables into account the mean density of the air in the column
between the height of the instrument and the mean sea level.

Faints.
Batteries
Air hole bungs up.

HYDROMETER
This instrument is used by ship’s officers to determine the relative density of fluids including the
dock water in which a vessel is lying while loading.

The following procedure is recommended for determine the density of the dock water.
 Use the clean 2-gallon bucket with a light line attached and obtain a sample of the dock water
from about the amidships point of the vessel.
The bucket should be allowed to sink to the mean draught level and remain there for a short
period to ensure that the temperature of the bucket will agree with that of the water at mean
draught. The sample of the water should not be taken from the upper surface, as this will
probable, be polluted in some way and will also be at a different temperature to the water
around the submerge hull-and temperature affect the density of fluids. By the same
reasoning the bucket should be cast clear of overboard discharges.

 After that, float the hydrometer in the bucket of water once the liquid is still. Give the
instrument a slight twist to break the surface tension and allow it to settle. Read off on the
scale the level of the surface at which the instrument is floating.

 The dock water allowance formula is now applied.

When a vessel is loading in dock water, which is not a salt-water dock, the ship may submerge
her appropriate load line by an amount equal to that value obtained by the dock water allowance
formula. This statement is only correct for vessels proceeding in to salt water of 1025 kg/m³, and
should a vessel be entering water of a different density, this should have to be calculated
accordingly.

11
The amount of a vessel 1025 – Density (shown on hydrometer x FWA
may submerge her load-line mark = 25

When the FWA represents fresh water allowance (the amount by which a ship may submerge her
seasonal load-line when loading in fresh water of density 1000 kg/m³)

PELOROUS
This instrument enables the navigator to obtain bearings of shore-side objects and it is virtually
and alternative to the Azimuth Mirror. It is particularly useful when the Azimuth Mirror on the
standard compass is obscured from the line of sight with the bearing object.
Being a portable instrument it can be transferred from the bridge wing to bridge wing and so
avoid the line of sight being impeded by such obstructions as the funnel.

Operation
Its operation is such that the graduated bearing plate can be manually turned so as to be aligned
with the ship’s head, then clamped into position.
By having an observer watching the ship’s head and noting when the vessel is exactly ‘ON’
course, the navigator can observe the true bearing by means of the sight vanes aligned with the
shore objects.

Relative bearings may also be obtained by having the Lubber Line indicator set at 000 º.

AZIMUTH MIRROR
This instrument fits to the surface of the compass bowl of either the magnetic or gyro compasses
and allows the navigator to obtain accurate bearings of both celestial and terrestrial objects.

A stand, manufactured usually in anodised aluminium and brass, is designed to grip the verge of
the bowl providing a firm support for the reflecting prism.

Most designs incorporate tinted shades to allow observation of the sun together with a Shadow
Pin, which provides a reserve bearing of the sun.

The Azimuth Mirror designed with a triangular prism will have an arrow marked on the
adjustment wheel.

Operation
 For taking bearings of celestial objects the arrow should points upwards.

 For terrestrial objects the arrow should point downwards.

Accuracy of the instrument
 From time to time you should check the accuracy of the instrument – by taking a bearing of a
low object with the arrow “DOWN” and a bearing of the same object with the arrow “UP”.

 Any difference in the readings signifies an error in the prism arrangement.

12
Care of the instrument.
When the vessel is in port, the Azimuth Mirror should be removed from the compass bowl
and placed in their own particular stowage boxes. They should not be left lying around on the
bridge.

HYGROMETER
This is an instrument used to measure the amount of water vapour present in the air, known as
the Humidity. Marine Hygrometers are normally used in conjunction with a ‘Stevenson’s
Screen’ which allows the air to circulate freely inside and at the same time avoid direct force of
the wind and chill factor becoming involved.
Mason’s Hygrometer
This instrument consists of 2 thermometers secured side by side. The mercury bulb of one is kept
dry, and this is known as Dry Bulb Thermometer.
The other thermometer has a muslin wick covering the mercury bulb, with the end of the wick
dipped into contact with a small water reservoir. This is known as the Wet Bulb Thermometer.

Questions and Answers

Q. What is the principle operation of the hygrometer?

The process of evaporation requires heat, and this heat is drawn from the wet bulb
thermometer.
Evaporation of the distilled water in the reservoir and more directly from the wick takes place
leaving the wet bulb thermometer always at a level below that of the dry bulb.
When both readings have the same value it indicates more moisture in the air which refers to
as 100% humidity.

Q. State how you would obtain the value of the Relative Humidity onboard your vessel?
The Hygrometer is used in conjunction with calibrated tables to obtain not only the Relative
Humidity but also the Dew Point.
Having got the readings from the thermometers, enter the tables with the dry bulb temperature
and the difference between the wet and dry bulb temperatures to achieve the values of
Relative Humidity.

Q. State what value would the result be to a cargo officer or watch officer?
The readings obtained from the instrument are useful to ship’s officers in predicting any
increase of moisture in the atmosphere.
This fact being particularly relevant to vessels whose cargoes would be at risk from cargo
sweat due to the improper ventilation.
Another fact that relevant to all vessels is that excessive moisture in the air may indicate the
approach of a Tropical Storm or Depression.

13
BAROGRAPH
The Barograph is not a precision instrument and should never be used as an alternative to the
Barometer for measuring atmospheric pressure at fixed times.
It advantage is that it provides a graphical record of fluctuation of pressure, together with times
at which they occur. e.g. the movement of the passing of a line squall.

Questions and Answers

Q. State the function of the Barograph.

It is an instrument for observing barometric tendency. The information recorded on the instrument is very useful
in forecasting future weather e.g. the passing of a Depression.

LSA (LIFE SAVING APPLIANCES)

14
LSA (Life Saving Appliances) – Cargo Ships-Class VII
Vessels of 100 metres or more in length

Life rafts

 One or more life rafts on each side of the ship of such aggregate capacity as will
accommodate the total number of persons the ship is certified to carry.

 The life raft on at least one side of the ship shall be served by launching appliances.

 Where the survival craft are stowed in a position which is more than 100m from the stem or
stern shall carry,
A life raft stowed as far forward or aft,
Or one as far forward and one as far aft, as is reasonable and practicable.
(Such life raft shall be capable of carrying 6 persons at least and may be securely fastened so as
to permit manual release and should be provided with means of embarkation-ladder or knotted
rope)

 Other requirements of the life raft;

Surveyed at interval not exceeding 12 months.
Must be fitted with an approved automatic release system of hydrostatic or equivalent
nature.
Must be stowed in such a manner that they float free from the vessel in the event of sinking

 Canister marking;
Maker’s name or trade mark
Serial number
Name of approved authority and number of persons it is permitted to carry
SOLAS
Type of emergency pack enclosed
Date when last serviced
Length of painter
Maximum permitted height of stowed above the water line (this relates to drop – test height-at
least 18 metres but in some cases higher – and painter length)

 Similar information must be marked on the Life raft itself.

15
 The type of emergency pack will generally be SOLAS ‘A’ pack.

 Pyrotechnics carried in the Life raft;

2 buoyant smoke signal
4 rocket parachute flares
6 hand flares
These pyrotechnics are valid for a period of 3 years.

Liferaft shall be inflated with a non toxic gas. Inflation shall be completed within a period of 1
minute at an ambient temperature of between 18 degrees centigrade and 20 degrees centigrade
and within a period of 3 minutes at an ambient temperature of –30 degrees centigrade. After
inflation the liferaft shall maintain its form when loaded with its full complement of persons and
equipments.

Freefall Lifeboat

A lifeboat arranged for free-fall launching shall be so constructed that it is capable of rendering
protection against harmful accelerations resulting from being launch, when loaded with its full
complement of persons and equipments from at least the maximum height at which it is designed
to be stowed above the water line, allowing for the ship to be in its lightest seagoing condition,
under unfavourable conditions of trim of up to 10, and with a ship’s list of not less than 20
either side.

Definition of Freefall launching

Freefall launching is that method of launching a survival craft when the craft, with its
complement of persons and equipment on board is release and allowed falling into the sea
without any restraining apparatus.
To be a freefall system, the launching apparatus must comply with paragraph 1 of Regulation 48
of the 1983 amendments to the SOLAS, 1974, relating to embarkation and launching appliances.
In addition to the following should be complied with:
1. The launching appliance will be efficiently protected against corrosion and constructed in a
manner to prevent incentive friction or impact sparing during launching procedure of the
craft.

Lifejackets

 One for each person the ship is certified to carry.

16
 For children equal to 10% of the number of persons the ship is certified to carry, or a
greater number to ensure one Lifejacket for every child onboard.

 A sufficient number of Lifejacket shall be carried for persons on watch and for use at the
remotely located survival craft station.

 All Lifejacket shall be fitted with light.

 Shall be so placed as to be readily accessible and their position shall be plainly indicated.

Life buoys

Length of the Ship Minimum number of

(metres) Life buoys
< 100 8
100 or more but < 150 10
150 or more but < 200 12
200 or more 14

 One buoy on each side having a buoyant line of length twice the height from the stowed
position to water line with the ship at its lightest sea going condition or 30 metres whichever
is greater. No light fitted with these buoys.

 At least one Life buoy placed in the vicinity of the stern.

 Not less than half will have self activating lights of which not less than 2 (equal distributed
each side) will also have a smoke signal and be quick-release from the bridge.
 The external diameter of the life buoy is to be not more than 800mm and the internal
diameter is to be not less 400mm.

400mm

800mm

17
The mass is to be not less than 2.5 kg. If the buoy is to release light or smoke signal, then the
buoy must be of sufficient mass to affect the release or 4 kg, whichever is greater.

 Markings;
Name of the ship
Port register
Fitted with Retro-reflective tapes
Immersion suits

 One immersion suit shall be provided, for each person the ship is certified to carry. If the
ship is provided with totally enclosed lifeboat(s) or if she is habitually trading in warmer
climate the immersion suit are not required.

 Each lifeboat shall be provided with at least 3 immersion suits.

 Rescue boat shall be provided with 6 immersion suits.

Thermal Protective Aids

 Each lifeboat, life raft and rescue boat shall be provided with 2 TPAs or 10% of the number
of persons the craft is certified to carry, whichever is greater.

18
 One TPA to be provided for every person not provided with an immersion suit. TPAs may not
be provided if the ship is provided with totally enclosed lifeboat(s) or if she is habitually
trading in the warm climate.

Location aids.

12 red rocket parachute signals

2 bridge-wing man overboard signals

 In survival crafts;
6 red hand flares
4 red rocket parachute signals
2 orange smoke floats

Each survival craft to be provided with radar reflectors

Each ship shall carry EPIRB capable of float free and can be placed in a survival craft
manually.

Three VHF hand held radios for two-way communications.

Chemical Tankers and Gas Carriers – Class VII

Lifeboat Requirements:
Chemical tankers and gas carriers, carrying cargoes emitting toxic vapour or gases, shall be
provided with totally enclosed lifeboat(s) which provide air to keep the inner atmosphere safe,
breathable and runs engine for 10 minutes.
During this period the pressure inside shall never fall below atmospheric pressure by more
than 20 mill/bar. There shall be indicators fitted to display pressure visually.

Maintenance of the Falls.

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Falls used in launching shall be turned end to end at an intervals of not more than 30 months
and be renewed when necessary due to deterioration of the falls or at an intervals of not more
than 5 years, whichever is the earlier.

Weekly inspection
The following tests and inspections shall be carried out weekly:
1. All survival craft, rescue boats and launching appliances shall be visually inspected to
ensure that they are ready for use.

2. All engines in lifeboats and rescue boats shall be run ahead and astern for a total period
of not less than 3 minutes provided that the ambient temperature is above the minimum
temperature required for starting the engine.

3. The general emergency alarm system shall be tested.

Monthly inspections
Inspection of the life saving appliances, including lifeboat equipment, shall be carried out
monthly using the checklist to ensure that they are complete and in good order. A report of the
inspection shall be entered in the logbook.

Servicing of inflatable liferaft, inflatable lifejackets and inflated rescue boats.

Every inflatable liferaft and inflatable lifejackets shall be serviced:
At intervals not exceeding 12 months. However in the case where it appears proper and
reasonable, The Administration may extend this period to 17 months.
At an approved servicing station, which is competent to service them, maintains proper servicing
facilities and uses only properly trained personnel.
All repairs and maintenance of inflated rescue boats shall be carried out in accordance with the
manufacturer’s instructions. Emergency repairs may be carried out on board the ship; however,
permanent repairs shall be affected at an approved servicing station.

HYDROSTATIC RELEASE UNITS

Periodic servicing of hydrostatic releases units.

Hydrostatic release units shall be serviced:
1. At interval not exceeding 12 months. However, in the case where it appears proper and
reasonable, the Administration may extend this period to 17 months.

2. At a servicing station, which is competent to service them, maintains proper servicing

facilities and uses only properly trained personnel

20
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q. Where will you find the Muster List?

In conspicuous places through out the ship (including the bridge, engine – room and
accommodation spaces).

Q. What will you find on the Muster List?

(a) General Emergency Alarm Signal (7 or more shorts followed by 1 long blast) and the action
to be taken when the alarm is sounded.

(b) Actual order to abandon ship will be given.

(c) Show all duties assigned to the different crewmembers.

Q. How will you find the way or instruction to survive at sea?

You can find this in the Training Manual.

Q. What do you know about the Training Manual?

It is the book-let contains instructions and information on the life – saving appliances and on the
best method of survival.

Q. When do you renew and change your Lifeboat Fall?

Change end to end: At interval of not more than 30 months.
Change to new Fall: At interval of not more than 5 years.

Q. Which of the LSA shall be tested or inspected weekly?

(a) All survival craft, rescue boats and launching appliances to be visually inspected to ensure
that they are ready for use.

(b) The General Emergency alarm systems to be tested.

Q. Which of LSA shall be serviced at intervals not exceeding 12 months?

(a) Every inflatable liferaft and inflatable lifejacket

(b) Hydrostatic Release Unit.

Q. How long is the painter on an inflatable Liferaft?

Shall be not less than twice the distance from the stowage position to the waterline in the highest
sea – going condition or 15 metres, whichever is the greatest.

Q. What is the purpose of the double floor?

It protects the occupants against cold when inflated.

21
Q. What gas used for inflating the raft?
Shall be non- – toxic gas, e.g. CO2

Q. When the raft inflates upside down, explain how would you right it yourself?
(a) Pull the raft around until the gas bottle is down – wind.

(b) Climb onto the inverted floor of the raft.

(c) Set your feet on the gas bottle and heave the raft over by pulling on the righting strap.

Q. At what distance would you see and the duration of the light fitted on top of the
canopy?
At least 2 miles and it work for not less than 12 hours.

MANOEUVRING
Action to Avoid Collision, “in sight of one another”.
Night situation

Q. What is the meaning of the word, “in sight of one another”?

A vessel shall be deemed to be “in sight of one another” when one can be observed visually
from the other vessel.

22
 PDV
Q. Identify
PDV, probably 50 metres or more in
length, underway, seen from the
starboard side.

Q. You see the vessel 3 points on your port

bow, what is your action?
3 POINTS
Range decreasing Take the series of the compass bearing.

(If the compass bearing steady, action)

Maintain my speed and course with
caution.

(Compass bearing steady and range decreasing, action)

 Give 5 short and rapid blast on the
whistle, supplemented by 5 and short
rapid flashes on the light.
 If the other vessel not taking action, I
will take best action to prevent
collision.
 Sound one short blast, alter course to
starboard and parallel her course.
 Assess the situation and take further
action away from the danger.
 Inform the Master.

Q. Why you sound 5 short and rapid blasts on the whistle?

To attract her attention.

Q. Why you take the series of the compass bearing?

To eliminate the yaw of your own vessel.

Identify?
PDV underway, probably 50 metres or
more in length, seen from the port side.

23
 What is the fog signal?
 When making way through the water,
shall sound one prolonged blast ( )
not exceeding 2 minutes.
 When underway but stopped, shall
Observing abeam sound two prolonged blasts ( )
not exceeding 2 minutes.

You see the vessel on your starboard

beam, what is your action?
Take the series of the compass

Range 2 – 3 miles (If the compass bearing steady, action)

Sound one short blast, alter course to
starboard and pass well clear of her
stern.

OWN V/L PDV

Q. Identify?
 A vessel constrained by her draught
(CBD), probably 50 metres or more in
length, underway, seen from the
starboard side.
 Fog signal – Shall sound one
prolonged followed by two short blasts
not exceeding 2 minutes.

Q. You see the vessel 4 points on your port

side, what is your action?
Take the series of the compass
bearing.
(If the compass bearing steady, action)
I shall not impede her passage, reduce my speed in plenty of time to allow her to pass ahead
of me. (Rule 8 (f))

Q. If you slowed down so as not impede her passage, would she be relieved of her obligation
under the Rules?

24
No

CBD

4 POINTS
Range 3 miles

OWN V/L

Q. Identify?
 Vessel aground, probably 50 metres or
more in length, seen from the port side.
 Day signal – 3 black balls in a vertical
line where they can best be seen.
 Fog signal – The vessel of probably 50
metres or more, at interval not
exceeding 1 minutes 3 separate and
distinct strokes on the bell, a rapid
ringing of the bell for 5 seconds and 3
separate and distinct strokes on the bell.
 The vessel of 100 metres or more, at an
interval of not exceeding 1 minutes 3
separate and distinct strokes on the
bell, a rapid ringing of the bell forward
for about 5 seconds, a rapid ringing of
the gong aft for about 5 seconds and 3
separate and distinct strokes on the
bell.
3 points

Q. You see the vessel 3 points on your

starboard bow, what is your action?

25
  Take way all off by stopping or by
means of propulsion
 Call the Master
 Switch on the echo sounder
 Chart assessment
 Call the vessel by identification
ask the time of aground and the tide
 Go astern away from the danger.

RULES OF THE ROAD

ORAL Q No. 173
Q. Identify?
 Vessel at anchor probably 50 metres or
more but less than 100 metres, seen from
the port side.
 During the day she shall exhibit a black
ball at the fore part where it can best be
seen.
 Fog signal – She shall sound a rapid
ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds at
an interval not exceeding 1 minutes. In
V/L at Anchor
addition, shall sound 3 blasts in
succession, namely one short, one
prolonged and one short, to give warning
of her position and of the possibility of
collision to an approaching vessel.

Q. You see the vessel dead ahead, what is

your action?
Sound one short blast, alter course to
starboard and pass well clear of her
OWN V/L
stern

ORAL Q No. 174

Q. Identify?
1. A Power Driven Vessel underway seen from the
stern.
2. A vessel at anchor less than 50 metres

26
 3. Power Driven Vessel less than 7 metres in
length with maximum speed do not exceed 7
knots.
4. Vessel under oars.

Fog signal
1. When making way through the water shall sound one prolonged blast not exceeding 2
minutes.
When underway but stopped and not making way through the water, shall sound two prolonged
blasts not exceeding 2 minutes with an interval between them of about 2 seconds.
2. She shall sound a rapid ringing of the bell for about 5 seconds at an interval not exceeding I
minute. In addition, three blasts in succession, namely one short, one prolonged and one
short blast.
3. & 4. Shall make some efficient sound signal at an interval not exceeding 2 minutes.

Q. On a vessel of less than 50 metres in length, what is the purpose of an additional sound
signal, which are one short, one prolonged and one short blast.
To give warning of her position and of the possibility of collision to an approaching vessel.

ORAL Q No. 176

Q. Identify?
 A dredger or vessel engaged in
underwater operation without
obstruction exist and probably 50 metres
or more in length seen from the
starboard side.
 By day shall exhibit a ball, diamond, and
ball in a vertical line where they can best
be seen.
 Fog signal – She shall sound one
prolonged followed by two shorts blasts
not exceeding 2 minutes.
RAM
Q. You see the vessel 3 points on your port
bow, what is your action?
Take the series of the compass bearing.
(If the compass bearing steady, action)
Sound two short blasts, alter course to
port and pass well clear of her stern.

OWN V/L

27
 ORAL Q No.177

Q. Identify?
 A dredger or vessel engaged in
underwater operation without
obstruction exist and less than 50 metres
in length seen from the port side.
 By day shall exhibit black shapes
consisting ball, diamond, and ball in a
vertical line where they can best be seen.
 Fog signal – She shall sound one
prolonged followed by two shorts blasts
not exceeding 2 minutes.
RAM

Q. You see the vessel 3 points on your

starboard bow, what is your action?
Take the series of the compass bearing.
(If the compass bearing steady, action)
Sound one short blast, alter course to
starboard and pass well clear of her
stern.

OWN V/L

ENTERING A FOG BANK

Q. When entering a fog bank, what is your action?

1. I will give order for the engine to standby
2. Reduce my speed
3. Radar made fully operational and plot targets in the vicinity
4. Inform the Master
5. Post look-outs
6. Change auto pilot to manual
7. Switch on my fog signal

28
 OWN V/L
FOG BANK

INSIDE THE FOG BANK

Q. In the fog bank you hear the fog signal 3 points on your port bow, what is your action?
 Take all way off by stopping or reversing by means of propulsion
 Post extra look-outs
 Increase the frequency on the fog signal
 Adjust the radar ranges to detect the appropriate object
 Listen to the signal made by the other vessel.

29
SEAMANSHIP

SYNTHETIC FIBRE ROPES

Advantages and Disadvantages of Synthetic Fibre Ropes
Advantages;
1. High tensile strength
2. Good durability as it is less proves to gradual loss of strength.
3. Resistant to rot and mildew
4. Stretches more than natural fibres.
5. Does not kink easily and if constructed in plaited lay does not readily open up.
6. Smaller than natural fibre ropes for same strength.
7. Easy to handle.
8. Does not become less pliable with eye unless over-worked.

Disadvantages;
1. Due to the ability to stretch, there is a considerable whiplash effect if the rope breaks.
2. No audible warning prior to breaking.
3. Low melting point, therefore it has a tendency to melt or fuse on the drum end.
4. Susceptible to heat and sunlight.
5. Can be contaminated by chemicals, etc, and thus weakened considerable with little visible
evidence of such.
6. Plaited ropes require special splicing instructions.

PILOT LADDERS

Rigging of the Pilot ladder

Each Pilot Ladder shall be suitable for the purpose of enabling a pilot to embark and disembark
safely.

Such ladders must be used only by officials and other persons while a ship is arriving or leaving
a port and for the disembarkation and embarkation of pilots.

Every pilot ladder must be secured in a position clear of any possible discharge from the ship,
providing the pilot convenient access to the vessel after climbing not less than 5 fts (1.5 m) nor
more than 30 ft (9 m), then access to the vessel must be by means of an accommodation ladder or
other equal safe means, i.e., combination ladder.

30
Questions and Answers.

Q. What are the treads of the pilot ladder made of?

Must be made of hard wood such ash, oak, elm or teak and each step must be made from a
piece free of knots, having a non-slip surface.

Q. What is the diameter and the space between each step?

Each step must be not less than 480mm long, 115mm wide and 25 mm in depth.
The steps should be spaced not less than 300 mm nor more than 380 mm apart and
individually secured in such a manner that they will remain horizontal.

Q. What are the bottom four steps made of?

They are constructed in rubber or other suitable material of sufficient strength and similar
character.

Q. State the specification of the side ropes and the manropes use on pilot ladder.
Must be a manila rope.
The size of the side rope must be18 mm in diameter and must be continuous without joins and
should be left uncovered.
Manropes must be not less than 28 mm in diameter and should be secured to the ship, and a
safety line kept ready for use if required.

Q. What will you put at the top of the pilot ladder?

When the pilot ladder is prepared on the bulwark, 2 stanchions are rigged and properly
secured. These stanchions are rigged on top of the pilot ladder to allow the pilot to
hold firmly when coming on board.
At night the light is placed at the top of the pilot ladder to illuminate the ladder.

Q. What is the purpose of the spreader as part of the pilot ladder?

At every fifth steps of the ladder counted from the bottom shall be fitted with the spreader.
This spreader is used to prevent the ladder from twisting.
What is the size of the spreader?
Must be between 1800 mm and 2000 mm long, 115 mm wide and 25 mm in depth.

Q. How would you illuminate a pilot ladder?

The light should be faced downwards to illuminate the point of access.

31
SWL of the Wire Rope.
The SWL of the wire rope is calculated from the formula below;

SWL of the wire rope = 1 of the Breaking strain.

6

Breaking stresses Formulae;

Flexible wire ropes
Construction Size Factor
6 x 12 4mm – 48mm 15D2
500

6 x 24 8mm – 56mm 20D2

500

6 x 37
(extra flexible wire rope) 8mm – 56mm 21D2
500

Example.
Find the SWL of the steel wire rope size 6 x 24 with diameter of 32mm.
Braking strain = 20 x 32x 32
500

= 40.96 tonnes

SWL = 1 x 40.96
6

= 6 tonnes.

Breaking Strain of the Natural & Synthetic Ropes.

32
Natural Ropes. Formula

Manila Rope 2D2

300

Polypropylene 3D2
300

Synthetic Ropes.

Polyester (Terylene) Rope 4D2

300

Nylon Rope 5D2

300

Example.
Find the SWL of the Nylon Rope, a diameter of 87 mm.

Breaking Strain = 5 x 87 x 87
300

= 126.15 tonnes.

SWL = 1 x 126.15
6

= 21 tonnes.

33
TRANVERSE THRUST
Questions and Answers

Q. How do you make a short round (single-handed propeller)?

 By using the transverse thrust of the propeller to advantage.
 Having crossed to the port side of the channel with due caution and reduced speed to just
having steerageway, the rudder should be put to hard starboard with a kick ahead on the
engine to start the vessel swinging.
 As she turns across the channel, the rudder should be put to amidships and propulsion
reverse.
 When the ship starts to gather sternway the rudder should be put hard to starboard and the
engines ahead.
 If required the movements should be repeated until the turn is completed.

Q. What is the transverse thrust?

The thrust of the propeller blade is divided into two components, a fore and aft one and that a
very small athwartships one.
In a single screw ship with right handed propeller.
When going AHEAD: The bow cants to port, the swing decreases as way
is gathered.

When going ASTERN: The bow cants to strongly to starboard and will
continue to do so until correcting helm is used.

Q. Which is greater turning circle, in shallow water or deep water?

In shallow water, due to the influence of squat.

ANCHOR QUESTIONS

Q. As the anchor is let go, how will you know the amount of cable being paid out?
You will know or identify by the joining shackle, which is a larger link than the other link of
the cable.
Q. You are asked by the Master that 4 shackles in the water, how would you know that it
is coming to 4 shackles?

34
Because of the individual shackles are distinguished by the number of studded links either side
of the joining shackle, the 4th shackle is identified by a seizing wire binding around the
4th studded link either side of the joining shackle. It can also be identified by distinctive colour
which is white painted on all 4 studded links with a red colour on the joining shackle.

Q. What type of joining shackles do you know?

I. Kenter lugless joining shackle
II. “D” lugged joining shackle.

Q. How many shackles does the ship have?

It is 9 – 12 shackles, may be less or more depends on the length of the ship.

Q. How long is one shackle?

15 fathoms or 27 metres.

MOORING

Running Moor
The running moor may have to be made with the tide. A running moor procedure is as
follows:
1. Speed over the ground should be 4 – 5 knots, preferred depth of water leeing depend on
draught, and good holding ground chosen if possible. Let go the weather anchor, so that
the vessel will be blown down from the anchor cable before she reaches the desired
position.

1. Stern the tide

Let go the anchor Wind

Anchor
Cable being paid out
Tide

Resultant motion

35
2. Continue to make leeway, paying out the cable of the anchor which has been let go.
Continue to pay out the cable up to 8 or 9 shackles, depending on the amount of cable
carried aboard and the depth of water. The vessel will overrun the desired mooring
position.

2. Pay out on cable,

Let go second anchor
Wind

Cable being paid out

Tide
Amount of cable to use will depend on depth
of water. Approx. 8 shackles is usual.
Cant the bow by rudder action away
from the line of the first anchor. This
action would not be necessary if the
wind was causing the vessel to set
down

3. The vessel should start to drop astern as the engines are stopped. Let go the lee anchor and
pay out the cable. Start heaving away on the weather anchor to bring the vessel up between
the 2 anchors. The vessel may require an astern movement on the engines to begin
drawing astern.

3. Pay out second anchor

cable; heave in on first
cable.
Wind

Sleeping cable
Tide
Heave on this
cable
Pay out this
cable V/L brought up between 2
anchors
Riding cable
36
SPECIFICATION OF LIGHTS AND SHAPES

Rule 27
Vessel engaged in dredging or underwater operation, probably 50 metres or more in length.

D
E

F
H
G

A. Horizontal distance of RAM lights, shall not be less than 2 metres from the fore and aft
centre line of the ship or from the Masthead lights.

B. Vertical distance between the Forward and Aft Masthead Lights shall be at least 4.5 metres.

C. Vertical distance shall be not less than 2 metres and shall be equally apart.

D. Vertical distance shall be not less than 2 metres, and the upper of this light shall be higher but
not lower than the lowest of the RMA lights.

E. The vertical distance of the forward Masthead light shall be at height above the hull not less
than 6 metres and if the breadth exceeds 6 metres then at high above the hull shall be not less
than such the breadth but not be more than 12 metres.

F. At height above the hull not less than 4 metres.

G. Vertical distance shall be not greater than ¾ of the forward Masthead light and shall not be
low to interfere with deck lights.

H. Vertical distance at height above the hull shall not be less than 4 metres.
Shapes

37
 0.6 metres 1.2
metres

0.6 metres

At least 1.5 metres

1.2 metres

At least 1.5 metres

0.6 metres

FISHING VRESSEL OTHER TRWLER

38
Probably 50 metres or more in length making way through the water
A. Vertical distance of the masthead light, shall be at
height above the hull not less than 6 metres, but if the
breadth exceeds 6 metres, then at height above the hull
not less such the breadth but not be more than 12
metres.
A B
B. Vertical distance between all round lights, red over
white, shall be not less than 2 metres.
C
C. Vertical distance of the lowest all round light shall be
at height not less than 4 metres above the hull.
D
D. Vertical distance of sidelights shall be at height above
the hull not more than ¾ of the height of the
masthead light.

If the length of the fishing vessel is less than 20 metres, then the following shall be:
B. Spaced not less than 1 metres.
C. Placed at height of not less than 2 metres above the gunwale.

TRAWLER UNDERWAY BUT STOPPED

A. Vertical distance between 2 all round lights, green

over white light, shall be not less than 2
metres.
A
B. Vertical distance at height above the hull, not less than
4 metres.
C B
C. Vertical distance between 2 all round lights, white
over red, at least 0.9 metres and shall be visible all
round the horizon at a distance of at least 1 mile.
These lights shall be lower than the lights in A.
ORALS QUESTIONS
FIRST ATTEMPT – BY MR. NOBLE.(Friday 5/05/00)

Starting with instruments

1) Sextant, what is Index Error and how will you find out if it had an error?

39
Index error is an error of the sextant caused by the horizon mirror and the index mirror not being
parallel to each other.

To find an error by observing the horizon;

 Hold the sextant in the vertical position
 Set the index arm at zero
 Look through the telescope and observe the true and reflected horizon
 If it appears to be a continuous line then no error exist
 If it appears to be a broken line then an error is considered to exist.

2) Read hydrometer (1011) why you take this reading?

To calculate the amount a vessel may submerge her loadline mark when in dock water and this
derived from the formula;

A vessel may submerge = 1025 – density shown on hydrometer X FWA

her loadline mark 25

3) What is the principle of an azimuth mirror?

The principle of this instrument is to obtain compass bearing of either celestial or terrestrial
objects.

4) How will you take terrestrial and celestial bearings using Az Mirror?
Arrow points up when observing celestial objects
Arrow points down when observing terrestrial objects.

5) You joining a ship as a 3/O, C/O said to familiarise with the ship, what will you look for?
 First check the Muster List Look for your duty
Look for the Muster Station
Familiarise yourself with all its content.
 Knowing the location of LSA and FFA
 Knowing the location of your lifejacket, helmet, suits and other clothes required during an
emergency.

6) Where will you find the Muster List and what will you find in it?
The muster list is displayed in all conspicuous spaces such as alleyways, bridge and engine
room.

7) What is an emergency signal?

7 short blasts followed by one long blast.

8) How will you find way to survive at sea?

You will find ways to survive at sea in the booklet called Training manual. In this booklet it
contains instructions and diagrams of donning a lifejacket, launching inflatable liferaft and many
more.

40
9) Where will you find the Training Manual?
You will find this Training Manual in the crew and officers messroom.

SOLAS
10) What do you know about SOLAS?
SOLAS is one the organisation under the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) which
deals with the Safety of Life At Sea.

11) How will you know the arrangement of LSA and FFA onboard?
LSA (for cargo vessels)
Lifeboats: 100 % capacity each side

Liferafts: 100 % capacity if not transferable

50 % if it can be carried, where the length of vessel > 100 metres. One more
liferaft close to the working area of the crew (usually fwd or aft)

Lifejackets: 200 % (one each cabin per person and 100 % distributed to bridge, engine control
room, galley, forecastle and to the float free boxes at the embarkation deck

Lifebuoys: Vessels of 100 metres in length – 8 pcs

>100 < 150 metres in length – 10 pcs
>150 < 200 metres in length – 12 pcs
200 metres and over – 14 pcs.
Not less than 50 % must have self igniting lights
Not less than 2 pcs must have self activating smoke signal
& At least one lifebuoy on each side with a buoyant line - length of the line is twice the
height of the lifebuoy position to the waterline when the vessel at its lightest condition or
30 metres.

Immersion suits: on open lifeboats – at least 3 each lifeboat

Or one person if Administration consider necessary and practicable if the
vessel sails in Lat > 45° S and 60° N

TPA: 100 % + 10 % of lifeboat capacity

Cargo Work
12) You are on deck watch and no cargo work is going on – explain what are your duties?
 During these periods, an officer of the watch is appointed and his duties are:
 To ensure that 24-hour gangway watch by crew or watchman is maintained,
 To make frequent checks for fire (fire patrols),
 To check the security of the ship,
 To maintain adjustments to mooring lines and gangway.

41
13) Now you are in charge of cargo operations – what are your duties?
 During the cargo operations the officer in charge of the deck must also consider the
following:
 Maintain mooring lines
 Maintain gangway watchman
 Fire precautions
 Boarding of unauthorised personnel
 Keeping a record in the Chief Officer’s log book of all events taking place
 In responsible for all operations being performed by crew and shore personnel
 Must ensure that everything is carried out in a proper and safety manner.

14) What do you know about spar ceiling and what is used for?

15) Explain how to rig 2 derricks as a Union Purchase?

16) What precautions of the Union Purchase?

17) Cargo Work is finished, explain how to get the Bridge ready for sea?

18) How will you correct your charts?

19) How will you keep your navigation watch?

Keep safe nav. watch.

20) When you plot your position, you are not on the track, explain why?

21) How often will you take the Gyro Error?

22) You are in a narrow channel, explain the procedure to take a short turn?

23) At sea, Man overboard, how will you pick up the person using LifeBoat?
(Full procedure for lowering of the LifeBoat)
24) What will the Rescue Team wear other than Life Jackets?

Rules of the Road

a) Proper Navigation watch: Rule 5 Look – out
b) How will you know Risk of Collision exists? (Rule 7, last 2 parts)
c) How will you avoid collision? (Rule 8)
d) Explain Rule 8, (f)

Situations
Clear Visibility
1) PDV 4 points on starboard bow, action.

42
2) PDV 4 points on the port bow, action

3) A give-way vessel not taking action, what will you do?

Why do give 5 short blasts
Now you see 2 black balls in vertical line. Does this mean any changes in your action?

4) Sailing vessel 3 points on the port bow, action.

(Before taking action look through the binoculars and see for the black cone apex downwards)

5) Ferry overtaking, 3 points abaft the beam from the starboard side, range is closing. Action.

Night situation.
1) Fishing vessel 3 points on the port bow with gear extending astern, action.
Why can’t you alter to port?
2) Trawler on your starboard bow, action.
3) Vessel aground, more than 50 metres. (only identify)
4) PDV towing and seen right ahead, action.
When you alter to starboard, what will you do?
5) Identify Pilot vessel and sailing vessel less than 20 metres.

Restricted Visibility.
Sh/H

Course on collision
O
What will you get from OWA?
Action.
W Why did you alter to starboard?
A

Sh/H

Action, why alter to port?

43
 Sh/H

8’ target

You heard a fog signal, action.

Buoyage System
1) You steer 180 and see East Cardinal Mark right ahead, action.

2) Identify Special Marks, its uses and lights.

3) All buoys, lights and uses and what region A & B.

Fire prevention question.

a) Coming off watch, you find smoke coming from a cabin, what must you do?

b) What do you have in accommodation to fight fire?

c) What other types of extinguishers do you have onboard?

d) What is the danger in using CO2?

ORALS QUESTIONS
FIRST ATTEMPT – BY MR. NOBLE.(Friday 5/05/00)

Starting with instruments

25) Sextant, what is Index Error and how will you find out if it had an error?

26) Read hydrometer (1011) why you take this reading?

27) What is the principle of an azimuth mirror?

44
28) How will you take terrestrial and celestial bearings using Az Mirror?

29) You joining a ship as a 3/O, C/O said to familiarise with the ship, what will you look for?

30) Where will you find the Muster List and what will you find in it?

31) What is an emergency signal? (7 short blasts followed by one long blast)

32) How will you find way to survive at sea?

33) Where will you find the Training Manual?

SOLAS
34) What do you know about SOLAS?

35) How will you know the arrangement of LSA and FFA onboard?

Cargo Work
36) You are on deck watch and no cargo work is going on – state your duties.

37) Now you are in charge of cargo operations – state your duties.

38) What do you know about spar ceiling and what is used for?

39) Explain how to rig 2 derricks as a Union Purchase?

40) What precautions of the Union Purchase?

41) Cargo Work is finished, explain how to get the Bridge ready for sea?

42) How will you correct your charts?

43) How will you keep your navigation watch?

Keep safe nav. watch.

44) When you plot your position, you are not on the track, explain why?

45) How often will you take the Gyro Error?

46) You are in a narrow channel, explain the procedure to take a short turn?

47) At sea, Man overboard, how will you pick up the person using Life Boat?
(Full procedure for lowering of the Life Boat)
48) What will the Rescue Team wear other than Life Jackets?

45
Rules of the Road
e) Proper Navigation watch: Rule 5 Look – out

f) How will you know Risk of Collision exists? (Rule 7, last 2 parts)

g) How will you avoid collision? (Rule 8)

h) Explain Rule 8, (f)

Situations
Clear Visibility
6) PDV 4 points on starboard bow, action.

7) PDV 4 points on the port bow, action

8) A give-way vessel not taking action, what will you do?

Why do give 5 short blasts
Now you see 2 black balls in vertical line. Does this mean any changes in your action?

9) Sailing vessel 3 points on the port bow, action.

(Before taking action look through the binoculars and see for the black cone apex downwards)

10) Ferry overtaking, 3 points abaft the beam from the starboard side, range is closing. Action.

Night situation.
6) Fishing vessel 3 points on the port bow with gear extending astern, action.
Why can’t you alter to port?

7) Trawler on your starboard bow, action.

8) Vessel aground, more than 50 metres. (only identify)

9) PDV towing and seen right ahead, action.

When you alter to starboard, what will you do?
10) Identify Pilot vessel and sailing vessel less than 20 metres.

Restricted Visibility.
Sh/H

Course on collision
O
What will you get from OWA?
Action.
W Why did you alter to starboard?
A

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 Sh/H

Action, why alter to port?

Sh/H

8’ target

You heard a fog signal, action.

Buoyage System
4) You steer 180 and see East Cardinal Mark right ahead, action.

5) Identify Special Marks, its uses and lights.

6) All buoys, lights and uses and what region A & B.

Fire prevention question.

e) Coming off watch, you find smoke coming from a cabin, what must you do?

f) What do you have in accommodation to fight fire?

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g) What other types of extinguishers do you have onboard?

h) What is the danger in using CO2?

ORALS QUESTIONS
FIRST ATTEMPT – BY MR. OBEN.T.

EXAMINER: CAPT. L MAUNG

DATE: TUESDAY 13/06/00
TIME: 0945 – 1045 HRS
RESULT: PASS

Starting with instruments

49) Handling the Sextant,
What is Index Error and how will you find out if it had an error?

50) Hydrometer – what is used for?

Read hydrometer (1011) why you take this reading?
From where you get the FWA?

51) What is the principle of an azimuth mirror?

Arrow on an azimuth mirror, what signifies to?
Taking the bearing of celestial object (traffic light post)

Duties of officer of the watch

52) You joining a ship as a new 3/O, then C/O said to familiarise yourself with the ship, what
will you look for?

53) Where will you find the Muster List and what will you find in it?
What is an emergency signal? (7 short blasts followed by one long blast)

54) How will you find way to survive at sea? (in the booklet called Training Manual)
Where will you find this book, Training Manual?
(Crew and officers messroom)

55) No cargo operations, what are your duties as an officer on watch?

56) Duties of cargo watch officer on container vessels.

Vessel is about to sail, explain your duties as an officer on duty when preparing the bridge before
sailing.
How do you know that the charts are updated?

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How will you correct your charts? (From weekly notices to mariners)
What contains weekly Notices to Mariners? (6 sections)
When you plot your position, you find that you are out of the track, explain why?

57) Duties as in charge of aft mooring station

What is the use of spring lines?

58) One of the crew fell overboard on starboard side, what are your actions in this situation?
What is the name of that manoeuvre and explain?
(Williamson turn)

SOLAS
59) What are the LSA on your last ship?
How liferafts are stowed on your ship? How hydrostatic units are connected to liferafts?

60) What is the FFA on your ship?

Do you have portable CO₂ extinguisher onboard and where can you find them?
What are the dangers of CO₂?
What checks you will do on portable dry powder extinguisher?

Cargo Work
61) Explain how to rig 2 derricks as a Union Purchase?

62) What precautions of the Union Purchase?

Rules of the Road

i) What is Rule 5? (Look-out)

j) How will you know Risk of Collision exists? (Rule 7, last 2 parts)

k) How will you avoid collision? (Rule 8)

l) Explain Rule 8, (f)

Buoyage
Identifying the following buoys;

i. Starboard hand buoy

ii. Port hand buoy

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iii. West cardinal mark
You are heading 000º and you see the buoy right ahead, what is your action?

iv. An isolated danger mark

What is your action when seeing the buoy right ahead? (Pass it at least 500 metres)

v. Safe Water Mark

Coming into port you see the buoy right ahead, action?
Why you go to starboard? (Rule 9)

vi. Special Mark

What is used for?

Day Situations

Clear Visibility

11) PDV 4 points on starboard bow, action.

12) PDV 4 points on the port bow, action. (stand on with caution)
A give-way vessel not taking action, what will you do?
Why do give 5 short blasts
Now you see 2 black balls in vertical line. Does this mean any changes in your action?

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13) Sailing vessel 4 points on the port bow, action.
Before taking action look through the binoculars and see for the black cone apex
downwards.

14) Ferry overtaking, 3 points abaft the beam from the starboard side, range is closing. Action.
(stand on with caution – she is the give way vessel, Rule 13)

15) A PDV right ahead 100 metres in length at anchor, What is the night and fog signals?

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Night situation.
11) Fishing vessel 4 points on the port bow with gear extending astern, action.
Why you go starboard? (Gear extending 150 metres or more and leading astern)

W W

12) Trawler on your starboard bow, action.

(Less than 50 metres)

13) PDV towing less than 50 metres in length, seen right ahead, action.
When you alter to starboard, what will she do? (She will also alter course to starboard)
(Can be a PDV probably 50 metres or more in length)

G R

Identify the following:

a) Pilot vessel
W

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b) Sailing vessel probably 20 metres or more in length.

Restricted Visibility.
Sh/H

Course on collision
What will you get from OWA?
Action.
Why did you alter to starboard?
O

Sh/H

Action, (keep on plotting …)

Alter course to port
Why alter to port?

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 Sh/H

8 miles target

You heard a fog signal, action. (Take all way off….)

ORAL EXAM (Preparation)

Covers the following:

☺ Cargo Work – every type of ships
☺ Sextant
- Setting, reading on the arc
- How could you check that the error is corrected?
☺ Chronometer
☺ Hydrometer

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- Purpose and how to use it?
☺ Azimuth Mirror
☺ First joining the ship
- What should you d?
- What would you determine after safe access?
- mooring operations
- What is your duty before sailing?
☺ Cargo Watch
- Before loading grain, e.g. what is your duty?
- What would you do when loading a damage cargo, a ripped bag of flour?
- Separation of cargo
- Uses of dunnage
☺ Derrick types
- All parts and SWL
- Union Purchase derrick
☺ Taking over the bridge watch
- What would you do?
- Checks
- Duties
☺ Preparing anchor for letting go
- Procedures
☺ Anchor cables
☺ Manoverboard
- Williamson turn
☺ What must you do when you see smoke or fire?
in one of the cabin in the middle of the night.
☺ Publications on the bridge
☺ LSA (Live Saving Appliances)
☺ FFA (Fire Fighting Appliances)
☺ Launching Conventional Liferaft
☺ HRU (Hydrostatic Release Unit)
☺ What must you do when approaching Fog Bank
☺ Actions as a Bridge Watching Keeping
☺ Cardinal Buoys
- Region “A” & “B”
☺ Lateral Marks
- Characteristic of lights
- Action when approaching Lateral and Cardinal Buoys
☺ Rules Of the Road
- Rules 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10

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- Rule 8 (f) what is meant by impeding?

Candidate: M J Parker
Date: 3 April 2008
Duration: 1 hr
Assessor: Captain Baker
Result: Pass
ORALS REPORT
My exam started on time at 9:30. Capt Baker put me at ease and had a glass of water waiting for
me on the table. He explained the format of the exam as per MGN 69. He said that he only had
an hour so the exam would not take longer than that. He started by taking a look through my
MN and RN discharge books which led to his questions:
 Describe last ship sailed on
 You are joining a 10000 GRT general cargo ship as Third Mate, what would you expect
to see as you approached your vessel?
 On the bridge, what kind of equipment would you expect to see?
 What is the difference between X and S band radar?
 What kind of errors does a magnetic compass have?
 Explain variation
 What kind of fire fighting equipment and lifesaving equipment would be carried?
 Why are some vessels required to have a liferaft fitted forward?
 Explain what you know about MARPOL
 How do you rig a hydrostatic release unit? He showed me the old version which threw
me a bit. I said I had only ever seen the new version so he produced one of those and I
showed him how to rig it correctly. MGN 343 refers.
 Was I familiar with a Stevenson’s Screen?
 What does it contain?
 Why does the wet bulb read a lower temperature than the dry bulb?
 If the temperature readings came close together, what kind of meteorological condition
would you expect?

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  Asked me draw a low pressure system in the northern hemisphere moving towards the
UK. What kind of meteorological conditions would I expect and what cloud types
would be present?

We then moved on to Rule of the Road scenarios with wooden models. I had to describe what
each situation was and the action to be taken:
 Crossing situation
 Head-on situation
 CBD on port side
 How would you react if it was RAM?
 TSS with sailing vessel crossing taking no action
 Are you allowed to leave the TSS in this case?
 Are fishing vessels allowed to engage in fishing within a TSS?

The smartie board was then taken out and I had to identify the following vessels and state the
action that would be taken:
 One solitary green light
 Power-driven vessel prob >50m underway, port side open on own starboard side
 Tug and tow, prob >50m underway, stbd side open on own port side, length of tow
<200m, taking no avoiding action then closing further, still taking no avoiding action.
What would you do if this vessel was RAM?
 Vessel >50m at anchor

Finally, we moved on to radar plotting:

 Explain ARPA
 Explain AIS. Can you use AIS for collision avoidance?
 What kind of errors would you find in your radar?
 First plot: target on starboard bow CPA zero. Asked TCPA. Complete the plot and give
action taken
 Second plot overtaking vessel on port quarter. CPA zero. Asked TCPA. Complete the
plot and give action taken. Said (in debrief) he prefers bold alteration of course to stbd
as opposed to a reduction of speed as this is more readily apparent to the other vessel.

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  Third plot target 10 miles on port bow, CPA 5 miles. Then you hear, apparently forward
of the beam one prolonged blast. Said that this would indicate a vessel within two miles
not appearing on radar. Stop and take all way off, alter sound signal accordingly.
Asked how I might go about detecting this vessel. I said alter pulse length and range
scale.

After several long breaths he produced the smartie board again and asked me to correctly
identify the vessel >50m at anchor as I suffered from a “brain fart” and initially replied that it
was a power-driven vessel >50m underway but not making way as I could not see her sidelights
or sternlight (oops)!! This goes to show that so long as you answer most questions correctly he
may give you a second chance if he knows that you have fluffed something. If you know that
you have given a shoddy answer, don’t let it get you down; pick yourself up and carry on
boldly!
His final words: “Well, I’ll put you out of your misery and let you know that I am going to pass
you. You’re not going to kill anyone which is the main thing. You ex-Royal Navy boys are all
the same – you’re good at everything else but crap at identifying lights. I don’t know why!”
GOOD LUCK!

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