Saddiq vs Alec Keep

Saddiq (Master Unlimited)
Examiner: Alec Keep (Liverpool Marine Office)
Date: 17th August2021
Result: Pass (1st attempt)
Experience: LNG Carriers
Duration: 0900 – 1035 (1hr 35mins) via Microsoft teams
I logged into teams 10 mins before the exam, and at 0900 was allowed in. He started off by introducing himself and explained the rules of the exam. He also asked me to confirm that I did not have any other pages open on my laptop and not recording the exam. We had roughly 3minutes talk about previous experience before getting started with the questions. The pace of exam flowed quite naturally, but quite detailed into the syllabus. Most of his questions started as follows: “What do you think about… How would you…. What would you expect…”?
Started by displaying a picture of a load line mark. Asked about the dimensions, reading off the draft corresponding to the summer mark, meaning of the class notation (it was an ABS classed vessel), what do ABS do? Why do we have different load line zones? (talked about effect of sea water density on the ship’s draft etc). What is class, which organization do they work for, what are the surveys done by class and what certificates do they issue? what is their objective, what do they make sure of during surveys.
Joining ship as a Master, what check would you do on approaching? How would you make an impression of the ship upon boarding? (Talked about observing the hull structure, draft and load line marks being legible, safe means of access, gangway watch, safety notice board at the gangway which is a standard practice for tankers.
Upon boarding, how would you prepare the vessel for a load line survey?
How would you prepare for an ISPS audit? What other audits can the surveyor conduct together with ISPS? (ISM – SMC & MLC). Then he asked about the frequencies of these audits, validity of the certificates etc.
Duties of Master under ISM.
Company responsibilities under ISM.
Considerations for a passage from West Africa to South America
Intact stability criteria for my last vessel (LNG Tanker).
How would you load grain onboard
What publication would you consult (Grain code)
What are the dangers associated with loading grain?
How would you secure the grain (had to explain saucering, overstowing, strapping and bundling).
Advantages of CPP over Fixed pitch
How does a CPP works?
Berthing an LNG Tanker with tugs – how many tugs would you normally berth with? I mentioned minimum 3 but could use up to 4. I had to explain how I will make fast the tugs, where to position them and how to carry out the manoeuvrer. He also asked about safety considerations when making fast the tugs, interaction between the tugs and my vessel. This then took us into types of tugs (I mentioned ASD and tractor type). He further went on asking about how they operate and took particular interest on the ASD type. He further asked me to explain what I understand by azipod propulsion system.
Considerations for passage through the gulf region from North Africa. He was mainly looking for security preparations, reporting, IRTC, who to report to and what type of information to report.
How would you instruct a 2nd officer to make a passage plan from West Africa to South America? What would you be looking for in the passage plan?
Next was fire in the purifier room, 2nd Engineer missing. This then led us to loss of vessel’s propulsion, type of extinguishing systems, how to use them, when to use them etc.
2 days after departure port, how will you send a distress signal with Inmarsat C?
What other means of sending distress are available onboard? EPIRB, MF/HF, fleet F77, VHF, SART.
Salvage contract – How would you go into a salvage contract as a Master. Through LOF and had to explain virtually everything I could remember about salvage.
Departure from port, during pilotage a 60-year-old AB steering and suddenly complain of chest pain on the left side of his chest (probable heart attack). Talked about how I will replace him immediately with the 2nd man on the bridge and call for a replacement from the other available deck hands. Then C/O to come immediately and take him to the hospital for the necessary medical attention while I contact the shore authorities and turn the ship back to port for immediate medical attention. AB disembarked and admitted into the hospital, who will cover the hospital bills, his sick pay etc. He was looking for P & I insurance. How much leave days is he supposed to have?
Showed me a RADAR screen with a vessel on my stbd quarter
Vectors – True or relative vectors (Own vessel had a vector so it must be true).
Ground or sea stabilised? (Own vector was different to heading so, ground stabilised).
Where is the current setting the vessel to?
Then he asked, in restricted visibility, what will be your action.
Showed another radar screen vessel heading 000 deg with a target at 103 deg (113 deg abaft the stbd beam). Action in clear visibility.
Tell me about safe speed? What factors will you consider when determining safe speed?
How would you define seaplane and RAM. (I gave the definitions as per rule 3).
What advise would you give to a 3rd officer regarding the use of ECDIS in coastal navigation?
PDV crossing my vessel (CBD) from stbd side. Action (clear visibility, open sea). I had to link rules 15 and 18 and explain fully.
Sailing vessel crossing from port side (open sea, clear vis). Actions
RAM crossing my vessel (CBD) from stbd to port. Action (open sea, clear vis at night). The RAM was displayed with lights. What would be its day signal?
Lights and shape displayed by CBD.
How do you determine risk of collision?
South cardinal mark – heading 280 deg. Identify the buoy, light, and action.
You are heading into a port and saw a white flashing ._ (morse A), what is it? (safe water mark). What other rhythms of light does it show (Isophase, occulting & a single long flash every 10s).
Finally, he paused and said we will end it here. Congratulations, you have passed!
Good luck to everyone and thanks Vinil and Shayne for the tutorials.
Thanks also to the group for the discussions.