Simon

April 2022
Master unlimited
Was happy for me to takes notes and write notes throughout the exam
1 hr 40 mins
How would you prepare for a ISM, ISPS and MLC renewal audit which is going to happen in your next port of call?
-Wanted to hear about ISM masters responsibility and overriding authority + SOCREM. Making sure you had all the vessel certificates and they were up to date. Asked what specifically I would be looking at with the certs? Just went through making sure they were in date and had all necessary endorsements. I would also use the ISM DOC to confirm the registered company is correct.
-ISPS about liaising with SSO and CSO and going through SSP what this should include.
– MLC about DMLC 1 & 2, what are they and what’s the difference between them. This included going through the 16 points.
-Also wanted all the documentary evidence you would provide under each heading. Also what information would be on the main certificates.

Asked me how to plan a voyage from Mediterranean to the Caribbean?
Wanted everything from departure port to arrival port. Called a meeting and went thorough all requirements under each HOD. Making sure to mention:
Weather- making sure to secure the vessel for sea and confirming this with a walk round prior to departure. Talked about some weather condition that would begin to happen around this time of year (TRS).
Bunkers- making sure to get the correct fuel as you will be going into an ECA
Load line zones.
What pre arrival forms you would need to provide- went through FAL 1-7 + Security declaration+ Health declaration + advanced notice of waste.

Before departure a brand-new 1st trip 3/0 was joining the vessel, how would you deal with this?
I went through what we would do on my most recent vessel for this scenario. Started by calling him to the office for a chat and gong through his Certs. Wanted to know all the certs that I would expect him to have. Then went onto discuss the plan of action for his first passage; this would include him being on the bridge with a senior officer first, who be with him till he was confident in his abilities. And as master I would check up with him each day and monitor his progress.
He then told me that the 3/O was now on the bridge alone and you come up and see this; was a screen with a RADAR picture. Off track very close to land and on 12nm range.
Told him I would instant relieve the 3/O of his duties and take the necessary action to secure the safety of PEP. Went through stopping the vessel and assessing etc.
Then he said OK vessel is now safe what are your actions?
Told him I would suspend him from his duties with immediate effect, and would have the C/O draw up a plan to cover his watches. I would then issue the 3/O with a letter of allegation and would start investigation into the incident instantly. From there went through the whole procedure as per the merchant navy code of conduct. At the end of that I came to conclusion to dismiss him from the vessel and raise an NC against the company.
Mid-Atlantic and your 2/0 calls through the night and told you he has received a MF/HF DSC distress message not acknowledged, FV, 50nm away. Actions?
Went through waiting for MRC to acknowledged, if not I would acknowledge and then relay ashore. Still no response so went through actions to proceed to assist and who I would have to tell, company, flag etc.
Arrive on-scene and no-one else there and no sign of anything action?
Reported into local MRCC who was in charge and he put me in charge as OSC.
Told him I would get IAMSAR vol 3. Then went through all my responsibilities under IAMSAR as the OSC, and what search I would perform and why, expanding square. He ask me how I would decide on the leg sizes. (my turning characteristics and visibility).
You have found a Life raft but it’s now force 7-8 outside how to get them O/B and anything else to do?
Use LRA to send line and pull in. Also could use a LR from the ship and use the weather to set it down to them. Would prepare all the necessary medical equipment and report all the survivor details to MRC.
How would you write your standing orders?
Went through as per notes.
What are your night orders and how do they differ from standing orders?
Went through as per notes.
On a long pilotage what orders would you leave for officers on the bridge if you needed to leave?
Went through all the issues with pilotage and confirming any and all actions taken by pilot to be double checked.
On a container ship now and you have a water ingress alarm activated, actions?
Used SPARRC and discussed my details under each heading.
Problem was a non-return valve actions?
Went through root cause analysis and corrective action plan and what certificates would be affected. Who I would contact (don’t forget P and I), and that I would collect all documentary evidence and Note Protest.
What is Noting Protest and why do you do it?
Went through notarising and it was to protect your and the owners’ interests but also to provide all the true facts available at the time of incident. Also retain the right to extend protest if required.
Manoeuvring
What is a standing and running moor. What is the difference between the 2? Why would you use either and which one would you choose and why?
Went through everything as per notes and went with running moor as more control.
Restricted Visibility.
Had to complete a plot:- 2 vessels on my port side; 1 abaft my beam and the other fwd. Wanted me to discuss everybody’s options and then my actions. Slowed down as they had each other on their beams so they would go port and stbd.
Rules
Scenarios:- TSS:- CBD overtaking off stbd quarter; Sailing crossing port side; PDV crossing stbd side. Wanted me to discuss everybody responsibility and under which rule. Then asked my actions; told him I would sound 5 short and rapid for SV and overtaking, then use trial manoeuvre to confirm if I could slow down or if I would have to A/C to port enter separation zone to avoid immediate danger and slow down.
In a narrow channel, approaching the end of the channel and you see another PDV about to enter. Kinda looked like a bend in the channel as well as opening up. I went through the procedures for approaching a bend and in any event navigate with particular attention and see how the situation develops. Moved on after I said that.
Buoys
Region B port hand mark, all info plus how to pass inbound.
Region B preferred channel to Port, all info plus how to pass outbound from secondary channel to main.
East cardinal mark; all info plus how to pass.
Lights
Trawler less than 50m shooting nets:- all details and actions including what Zulu flag looks like.
RAM tug and tow, towing partly submerged object breadth more than 25m but not longer than 100m, vsl more than 50m, tow greater than 200m:- all details and action.
Aground more than 50m:- all details and action.
PDV more than 50m stbd side. All details and action.

Then told me I had passed! Examiner was very professional and clear throughout the exam, was happy to rephrase if I asked.
There were more, in question, questions asked by examiner. My answers were a lot more detailed than shown, just want to give a quick overview of what I said.
He seemed very happy when I used experience or said this is how I approached a similar situation on my last vessel. So, if you have the experience definitely use it.
Thanks to all those that helped me!
Good luck.