belfast-carlisle

Captain David Carlisle
Belfast Office – Online via Teams
02/09/20
1400
Chief Mates Unlimited
PASS
Started off with rules of the exam. No head phones because there have been instances of people having another earpiece listening into the exam and providing answers. Full swing of the camera around the room. Was asked to show passport. Didn’t have mines with me but he accepted the driving licence. Talked about someone recording the exam and posting online which wasn’t a huge issue but named the examiner. That person lost his NOE. Wasn’t going to cheat anyways but hint taken lol.
Joining as Chief Officer, discuss the take over. Started with information at the initial interview. Talked about SEA, type of ship, cargo carried, trading area, etc. Talked about security in port, being challenged for ID. General overview of ships side including load lines. Gangway safety. Interrupted me to ask what info would be found on a gangway and what in regards to safety would I be looking for. Further security at the gangway, search bags, etc. Continue general overview on way to Masters office. Discussed personal certificates. Mentioned the three briefings. Then went on to immediate info required first starting with cargo. Then passage plan. Interrupted me to ask about importance of load line zones.
Now I’m master. How would I record the joining chief officer. Blabbed my way through it without giving a good answer but he knew what I was talking about because I mentioned getting c/o to read the terms before signing.
Still master, 4 days into trip. Now have chance to do an inspection. What do I look for in accommodation inspection. Mentioned ventilation if it’s a hot climate ship, heating if it’s a cold ventilation, infestations, hot and cold water, clean toilet, fire detection and sprinkler head, secure door and natural light by window or prism.
Back to Chief mate. Heavy weather prep. Gave it all but didn’t seem happy with answer.
Set sail into rough weather. Water ingress alarm in bosuns store. Heaven to, start pumps, slow down. Refused to send a person forward. Wasn’t happy with my answer but moved on.
Loading steel coils. Dangers. Discussed dunnage to spread weight, annex 13 for non-standardised cargo, condition of own cranes. He interrupted me to ask about SWL and breaking strain then what to look for when checking wires for damage. Talked about the 5% of 10D length.
He asked about loading bulk cargo in general, where to get info regarding cargo. I talked about shipper providing details, IMDG code for dangerous goods including how to respond to spills, fires and medical response. He push at me to mention IMSBC code. Talked about angle of repose, transportable moisture limit and stowage factor.
Back to master. Grounded a vessel. Gave all appropriate actions. Lead on to ask me should I accept LOF. I said it depends on whether I felt my crew, ship or environment were at risk. If not then no, if yes then accept it.
Suddenly the ship grew in size because I became chief mate again and it was 40,000gt. Prepare for emergency dry dock with cargo still onboard. Extra blocks, divers to inspect damage, locking cargo, adjusting trim to be by stern. Mentioned that by head was acceptable for some yards due to slope of dock but always would be stern to touch first. Minimum trim as possible to reduce effect of P force. Mentioned that loadline, construction and class certs would be voided so contact MCA and class to come and contact P&I club because they insure a percentage of the hull.
Back out to sea. Restricted vis as mate. Preparations. Nailed it. OOW question really. Lead on to a plot. He drew plot. I was overtaking but plot didn’t make it so clear. I said I would bold alter to stbd. He asked my reason. I quoted 19d(i) including the ‘so far as possible’ and said that I was in doubt as to whether I was overtaking so I would assume crossing and take action. He adjusted the plot slightly which made it more clear. I said ok we definitely overtaking so I would go to port. He asked could I do anything else. I said I would go to port because he would go to starboard but I could go to starboard or slow down.
MOB. Someone shouted but personally didn’t site. GPS and ECDIS markers, MOB buoys, tron markers, engines on standby, man on wheel and commence the turn. Couldn’t remember which manoeuvre to take and made him aware that I couldn’t remember but I’d pick one and chose Williamson turn discussing it fully. Discussed search patterns using Iamsar Vol 3. Discussed that during the turn I’d sound MOB signal, MOB announcement, call the master and prepare GMDSS for distress.
Back to the heavy weather checks. Asked me to rethink my answer. He was looking for stability. I mentioned on cruise ships we go down by the head but on cargo ships we want to immerse the propellers so would be down by the stern which would also reduce the seas shipped onboard. He was also looking for checks on freeing ports and scuppers but he pushed that out of me by asking the effect of green seas. First I talked about free surface then mentioned the freeing ports, etc. After that I talked about the possibility of parametric rolling and have awareness of it to disturb the roll period and wave encounter period.
Then back to the flooding. He was looking for risk assessment. Pushing me to send men forward but I continuously refused to do it.
He said I had passed. He said that he felt like he had to get the info out of me and was quite difficult at times but he knew I had the knowledge so I’m grateful he persevered.
Not claiming my answers were right but they are what I gave to the best what I can remember. I never had any other rules of the road which I was grateful for as well, just that one plot.