Master unlimited
Examiner SB
Result: Pass
Entered the MS teams lobby 10 minutes before the examiner came 5 minutes later. We introduced each other and he inspected the room as per MCA exam guidelines, he explained the format of the exam and his expectations and confirmed I am going for the master unlimited syllabus.
He told me that as this is an unlimited exam he will be placing me on a 50000GT, 20 year old, Bulk carrier for the entirety of the exam, we started with taking over the vessel as master, go over all considerations. MLC, Certification, ISPS etc
Asked about enhanced surveys
Next was a voyage plan from Cape town to E.coast of USA, go through the voyage plan.
Magnetic compass checks
Spoke in detail about weather, pulled out a synoptic chart asked what weather id experience at various places.
Mid voyage, heavy weather preparations
C/O reports water ingress alarm has activated and theres a crack in ballast tanks, actions
What to consider when choosing a port of refuge
Towage or salvage
Explain LOF
Dry docking, explain preparations.
Go over cargo insurances, particular and general average, H&M, P&I
Bouyage – individual buoys, region, light, topmark, action
Traffic situations
Lights and shapes
ROR in Res.Vis
He came to an end and asked how I felt the exam went. Then he congratulated me on a pass!
I may have missed a few other questions but these were the foundations of what he asked and then we elaborated on each item further. It did feel like a conversation and not just a question-and-answer session, the examiner was happy to re-explain anything I was not clear on and was friendly throughout. I wouldn’t always rely on orals reports as a basis to study you never know which examiner you may get; get a good grasp of the foundational conventions and acts and you can answer any question. If you protect lives, property and the environment you are going to be most of the way there.
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