belfast-hawkins

I arrived at 0843 and was directed upstairs to the waiting area. There was a meeting going on so
we started a bit late (around 9:15)
Ask to give reading from sextant
What are the correctable errors of the sextant ?
Was given a compass calculation (from compass to true)
What is variation
What is deviation
How to maintain compass
He asked about passage planning
For each publication I mentioned he asked me what does it contain – I suggest starting with the
ones you are most comfortable with.
Tell me about Tide Tables ( gave a general overview of it but he wanted more)
How many pages are there in the Tide Tables ? – Still don’t know the answer to that question. Think
he only asked me this cause I was fumbling a bit on it.
How do you know a chart is up to date?
Sections of notice to mariners
What would you put on the chart ? Route, Wpts PI lines, No Go Areas.
How far away from land would you draw your route and why? – I said 10M cause you are far away
leisure craft and fishing boats but close enough to take ranges and bearing
Methods of position fixing
Limitations of radar
Actions to be taken as the relieving officer of navigation watch at night.
What is IMDG
Actions for fire in paint locker
Actions during collision
What is the difference between watertight and weathertight doors ?
Explain free surface effect
River with vessels berthed on either side, tide coming from astern you want to berth between to
vessels what do you do? – Told him that vessel tend to handle better when tide is coming from
ahead. Explained short turn make sure you mention that you can use the starboard anchor. – He
was impressed by my answer. Only time in exam he actually smiled and said well done.
Turned the river into a TSS. Vessel crossing from starboard side. Established risk of collision. I said
I would check that I have sufficient sea room astern and stop/operate stern propulsion
Did a radar plot using magnets (Ask Ian to go through this with you)
Restricted visibility vessel on port bow.
Asked if I can alter to port. I answered you should avoid altering to port for a vessel forward of the
beam. He asked if that applies in all situations I said unless overtaking (Remember to say that up
front)
No longer in restricted visibility what do you do – Series of compass bearing etc.
Risk of collision exists- Stand on with caution
Vessel’s bearing still constant & range decreasing- 5 short blasts, call master, man on wheel
Moves vessel closer to mine & says the master is busy – 1 long blast & broad alternation to
starboard
What else- Stop engines
What else *I looked confused*
What about altering to port ? – All I was able to say was “Rule 17” and he moved on.
Lights:
Pilot Vessel (asked about fog signal & arc of visibility)
Fishing Vessel
Constrained by Draft, underway, probably greater than 50m head on
NUC starboard siide
PDV
Towing from Astern
NUC/Aground from astern- Actions taken when it’s ahead of you.
I can’t remember them all but they were all illustrated in Farhan’s book.
This went by really quickly and he after the first one he wasn’t interested in full description. Once I
identified the vessel, he would interject and ask about whatever feature he was interested in .He
was very interested in the arc of visibility of the lights.
Difference between occulting & iso-phase
He gave me all four cardinal marks without top marks and asked me mark around a danger
Recommendations : Follow advice of Ian & Dave
Don’t mention checklists (he doesn’t know/care about my ship’s checklist)
Stay at Marine Inn Hotel – literally across the street from MCA office
If flying get flight to City Airport instead of International as City is closer
One-on one sessions with lecturer of private tutor just answering questions
Familiarise yourself with how to use sextant, compass in 136A & PAB (there
is one outside J.Warren’s officer)
My examiner was very sombre during the exam but after I passed he was really lighthearted and
cheerful. He indicated that he was following MGN 69 but the exam did seem a bit conversational. It
would often diverse to a new topic if I mentioned something that caught his attention. My advice
would be to mention the things you are most comfortable first. I felt like he was a fair guy.
Good luck !!