10/08/21 @ 1500 (exam finished 1630)

Examiner: Karen McCartney-Clark

OOW (unlimited)
Result: Pass

Examiner’s questions are in bold, I have annotated the report in italics with my thoughts.

Examiner logged on at 1502, was getting worried that I got the wrong link or something!

Usual stuff, cheating policy, look around the room etc. She eased my nerves straight away.

General Knowledge
Tell me about your vessel?
- Type II chemical coastal tanker
What is DWT?
- Difference between light displacement and current displacement
Is cargo included in DWT?
- No, light displacement is all fixed machinery without cargo/fluids/crew etc
What is a hydrometer?
- Measures density of dock water
Considerations when taking DW sample?
- Free from any engine outlets
- Free from ballast water discharge
- Free from shoreside debris
- Take the sample around half the draft
What is DWA?
- Dock water allowance
- Measured in mm, tells you how much you can submerge your LL by in port but still
conforming to your MSF 2004 (freeboard notice)
Why is DWA important?
What would you check on the deck before telling C/O that the vessel is ready to go to sea?
- Random Container checks
- Ensure no leakage from containers especially DG containers
- Fire fighting equipment etc
- Scuppers
- Forgot to mention checking water integrity of tween decks but she asked me before the
end of the exam and I got it.
You’re taking over a cargo watch on a container ship what will you expect to be told?
- Cargo plan
- Stability
- Weather forecast
- Terminal requirements
- Moorings
- Security rounds
- Deck look out
What are you interested on the deck regarding load lines?
- Ensuring you haven’t exceeded the minimum freeboard
What is a load line and why are they important?
- Tells you your minimum freeboard
- Spoke about the history of LL
Which convention concerns load lines and what in it?
 - ICoLL
Talk to me about how the stevedores will get onto the vessel?
- COSWP ch.22
- Accommodation ladder – no more than 55 degrees to the horizontal
- Safety net below
- Illumination
- Signage
- ISSC
- Deck lookout
- Visitors log
- Lifebuoy with self igniting light
What type of lifebuoy?
- Min weight of 2.5kg
- 800mm wide
- Self-igniting light with at least 30m of buoyant line
Where would you find information on lifebuoys?
- MSN 1676
- LSA code
- SOLAS III
What is the SOLAS training manual?
- Ship specific
- Contains info on all LSA onboard
- How LSA shall be maintained
- How to conduct LSA drills
What are the weekly and monthly lifeboat inspections?
- Run engine for 3 mins and test all steerage systems including emergency steering
- Ensure that it is ready for immediate use
- Visual inspection for the craft
- Check all equipment within the lifeboat
What would you find in the lifeboat?
- Oars
- Two boat hooks
- Buoyant bailer
- Two buckets
- Survival manual
- Compass
- Sea anchor
- Two painters
o Both equal length, not less than twice the distance from stowage position or 15
meters whichever is the greater
- Two hatchets
- Water tight receptacles containing fresh water
o 3 litres of water per person
- Three rustproof graduated drinking vessels
- Food rations
o Not less than 10,000 kilojoules per person
- Four rocket parachute flares
- Six hand flares
- Two buoyant smoke floats
- One electric torch
- One signalling mirror
 - Rescue signal tables
- One whistle or equivalent sound signal
- First aid kit
- Anti-seasickness medication
o Enough for 48 hours
- Jack knife attached with a lanyard
- Three tin openers
- Two buoyant rescue quoits
o With 30 meters of line
- Set of fishing tackle
- Two portable fire extinguishers
- Search light
- Radar reflector
- Thermal protective aids
You’re conducting a drill for the crew about freefall lifeboat, how do you do it?
- Spoke about why the drill is required (launch every 3 months)
- Refer to SMS matrix for drills etc.
- Ensure that all crew’s hours of rest conform to the MLC’s requirement.
- Ensure that all crew are aware that the drill will be happening stating the time and place
- Ensure the day I am doing the drill that it is good weather, sea state is good as it is more safe
and the crew will be more willing to understand the drill
- Ensure the relevant risk assessment and PTW are in place as per COSWP 1 and 14
- Then spoke about how the lifeboat is an enclosed space
Why is the life boat an enclosed space?
- Because it meets the requirements in COSWP ch.15
o Not designed for continuous worker occupancy
o No adequate illumination
o Limited entry/exit
- I will then have a PTW
- Ventilate the area to the relevant atmosphere
- Risk is that the fluid contained within the lead acid batteries for the lifeboat engine can leak
and the toxic gas is denser than air therefore will go to the bow on the lifeboat (freefall),
creating a hazardous atmosphere which is harmful to humans.
(BTW, the freefall lifeboat isn’t an enclosed space if it was being launched in an emergency)
What atmosphere will you be looking for?
- 20.9% Oxygen
- 0% CO
- 0% HC
- 0% H2S
What does 0% of hydrocarbons mean?
- Means there is no trace of hydrocarbons within the LEL when the overall hydrocarbon
content is 2% (i.e. it is safe to enter)
Ok carry on with launching the lifeboat for a drill
- Once all documents are in place and I have the Master’s permission, I will sound the general
alarm
What is the general alarm?
- 7 or more short rapid blast of the bell alerting the crew of an emergency.
- Information about the general alarm can be found on the muster list MGN 71
Ok continue
- Wait for the crew to muster
- Establish communication to the bridge (typically master)
 - Head count of crew
- Ensure all crew are adequately attired
- Then brief crew of the drill and the purpose
- Attach FPD to the boat
- All crew should remove their lifejackets/helmet
- Board from the bow to stern
- Strap into the seat
- I will then inspect the crew to make sure they are strapped in
- The C/E will sit In the secondary release unit seat
- C/O will remove the electrics from boat
- C/O will sit in coxswains seat and strap in
- Coxswain will shout ‘Is anyone not ready’?
- At this point the drill will end
- Exit lifeboat and de-brief the crew
What the difference between lifeboat drills and emergency procedures for the lifeboat?
- Won’t use RA/enclosed space permits
- Collect pyro/handheld VHF/ charts/ SART and EPIRB from the bridge
- Won’t use FPD
- May not disconnect the electronic cable
You’ve now launched the lifeboat, actions (emergency)?
- Start water deluge system (if evacuating from fire)
- Steam away from the ship, go to windward of the vessel if it on fire
- Once in a space place, administer first aid
- Issue anti seasickness tablets
- Start to ensure in GMDSS procedure
o Distress messages
o SART on telescopic pole
o EPIRB
- Maintain life onboard within the craft
Where should the EPIRB be mounted when in the lifeboat?
- Away from heat sources/direct sunlight
(Different scenario) You realise that the EPIRB was accidentally triggered, actions?
- Note in log book
- Call master
- Turn off the EPIRB
- Call nearest CRS as per ALRS V
o Send as a distress priority
What publication do you refer to get CRS MMSI
- ALRS V
Monthly inspections for EPIRB?
- Built in test equipment (BITE) – follow the markings on the EPIRB
- Physical condition
- Condition of landyard
- Battery expiry date
- Integrity and expiry date of the HRU
- Condition of mounting
You receive a distress on ch. 70 DSC in the Atlantic?
- This is a VHF distress, therefore I’ll assume the CRS will not respond
- Note in GMDSS log
- Inform the Master
- Set watch to VHF ch.16
 - Acknowledge by RT
- If nothing heard by RT and a repeat DSC alert is received, then relay ashore by any means
- Consult with MRCC when to acknowledge DSC
- If not contact made to MRCC then acknowledge DSC
You realise that you’re only 10 miles away from the distress location
- Start plotting a new track to steam to the location
- Muster crew to prepare rescue boat/medical facilities onboard
- Post additional look outs, especially on the fwd
- Alert E/R to have engines for immediate manoeuvre
- Engage hand steering (man on wheel)
- Consult IAMSAR III and assume the role of OSC
Taking over the watch on the bridge, what will you want to know? (talk me through the whole
process)
- Come up at least 15 mins early to make myself a drink and get comfortable as I’ll be there
fore 4 hours and this gives me time for my eyes to adjust to the darkness
- Consult company SMS checklist for changing over the navigational watch
- Standing orders
- Position/course/speed of the ship
- Prevailing and predicted tides, currents, weather and visibility which may effect the vessel
- Any information about E/R
- Any navigational situations
- Operational condition to all bridge equipment/any defects?
- Error of gyro/magnetic compass
- Presence of any lights, if so then what are they and where are they
- Conditions and hazards likely to be encountered during the watch
- Work on deck
- Course alterations/call up points
- Radar setup
- Any Master’s night orders which need to be followed?
You run aground, actions?
- As this would be a stressful situation, I would immediately refer to the SMS checklist on
running aground
- Telegraph to stop
- Call master
- Call E/R
- Muster crew
- Close watertight doors
- Change nav status on AIS/nav lights
- Tell E/R to change their inlet system from low to high
- Send distress/urgency/safety announcement as per the master’s instructions
You’re on cargo watch, whilst taking on bunkers from a barge and loading containers from shore
side. You see the bunker hose split and leaking oil onto the deck. What are your initial actions?
- Tell the barge to stop bunkering
- Tell shoreside to stop loading containers
- General alarm
- Follow SOPEP plan
Encountering heavy weather, actions?
- SMS checklist
- Inform Master
- Inform E/R for standby engines
- Inform all departments, especially the galley (as there’s always a soup on the stove!!)
 - Re-assess the safe speed / look outs
- Stop work on deck
- Post signage up and around the accommodation and on exits to the deck
- If any crew need to go out on deck they must alert the bridge and go out with lifejackets and
a life lines
We then spoke about a recent incident about a cadet and C/O went out on deck in heavy weather
with no lifejacket or lifeline and they got washed over onboard… we then spoke about the
importance of lifelines on deck

You keep mentioning SMS, what is it?

- Mandatory as per ISM code (reinforced by SOLAS IX)
- Tells you safety procedures on how to conduct yourself onboard
- Tell you your responsibilities as peer your rank onboard
- Ship specific
Can’t only senior officers access the SMS?
- No, the SMS is required for all ranks onboard and must be accessible by all crew from OS to
master
If you have a flag state inspection and they find that you haven’t been following the SMS what is
it?
- Depends on the severity: non compliance is the SMS hasn’t been followed; there has been a
gap found between the performance onboard and the required standard.
- Major non compliance if the SMS hasn’t been followed and the result of that can be injury to
personnel, pollution, damage to the vessel.
What is a non-conformity?
- Similar to non compliance but instead of the SMS not being followed, the ISM code has not
been followed.
What is MARPOL?
- International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
- Convention from the IMO which aims to prevent pollution
Any other conventions which concern pollution? (**Note: the examiner made it clear that this
question was not part of the exam, she just wanted to test my knowledge, examiner made this clear
to me prior to asking this question**)
- SOLAS
- STCW
- BWMC
It took me a while to get the BWMC, she had to give me a hint, but then I spoke about how it has not
been ratified by the UK yet so I didn’t think it was applicable to the question?! Examiner then spoke
about the International Convention on the Control of Harmful Anti-Fouling Systems on Ship… - Note,
this was not part of the exam, it was to test my knowledge for her curiosity.
You see the engineers putting paint in the general waste, actions?
- Immediately make a note of it
- Tell the engineers that it must be segregated as per MARPOL V
- Inform C/O and Master
- Segregate the paint cans from the general waste, bag it up and clearly label it
Does cooking oil come under MAPROL I or V?
- MARPOL V
How do the crew know where to dispose of garbage onboard?
- Posters In the mess rooms, galley and garbage areas about how to dispose of their waste
onboard
How do the officers know where to dispose of garbage onboard?
- Garbage Management plan
Can you discharge cooking oil overboard?
- No, its prohibited as per MARPOL V, regardless if youre out of a special area or not.
Going back to load lines, what else do you need to look out for concerning LL?
- Water tight doors
- Port hole shutters
How do you check for water integrity of a tween deck hatch cover?
- Chalk test
- Water test
- Ultrasound scanner

Examiner now turns her camera off and shares her screen
Buoyage (she wanted everything about each buoy: light, shape, meaning etc)
- IALA A port hand lateral mark
- IALA B port hand lateral mark preferred channel to STBD
You are leaving Japan, where would you pass this buoy
- Leave it to my stbd side
You see this mark (west cardinal) fine on the bow, on a course of 180, actions?
- Alter to Stbd, pass the buoy on my port side

- Safe water mark

Rules (ROC exists in all situations)

Examiner wanted: What is it? Day shape and sound signal

Tow, less that 50m, Under way and probs

making way, Stbd aspect, but the tow
restricts her ability to manoeuvre
- Rule 18, Keep out of her way

PDV port side

- Rule 15/17
 PDV STBD side
- Rule 15/16

CBD port side

Can you go to port?
- Rule 15/17/18/8

VEIF underway not making may with 150m+ gear

extending
What else?
VEIF UWMW, stern aspect
- Rule 18

You’re crossing TSS how do you do it?

- Cross perpendicular to the the heading of the general flow of direction of traffic
ROC with VEIF whilst you’re crossing TSS, actions?
- Fishing vessel shall not impede the safe of any vessel going with the general direction of
traffic
- As I am not going with the general direction, I am crossing the TSS, therefore this rule does
not apply to me, I will follow rule 18 to keep out of VEIF. So I will reduce speed
What is a navigational risk assessment?
- IMO defines a navigational risk assessment as:
o Proximity to navigational hazards
 o Current depth and width of navigable water
o Traffic density

Radar plotting (RV)

Which rules effect R/V
- Rule 19 and 4-10. And the sound signalling rule (I forgot the rule number)

Talk to me about this plot, your speed is 2 rings

The examiner wanted me just to eye ball the plot

- This is relative vectors, I can see that ROC exists and the relative bearing is constant and the
range is reducing
- From looking at this, I can tell you that her true course is 060.
- I will make a bold alternation of course to STBD
What is a bold alteration of course?
- An alteration of course which is sufficiently apparently to the other vessel. (I didn’t want to
put a number on this as I know some people have failed It in the past as there is no definition
of bold alternation, it is subjective)
I want the new course you’ll alter to
- I will change my aspect (I was still hesitant to tell her a number)
I want the new course, give me numbers.
- Ok, I will alter my course to stbd by 090 degrees.

Feedback
I thought the exam went extremely well. The examiner immediately put my nerves at ease, if she
thought I had exhausted the question she’d swiftly move on, there was never an awkward silence.
She said that the only question I messed up on was forgetting to check for water integrity on a
tween deck before proceeding to sea. Other than that, she said it was a very comfortable pass.

Thanks to Miss Dykes @ Fleetwood, Kieran and Matt from Whitehorse and the guys from our study
groups. (Harman, Smith and Paul), your help has much been appriciated!!