Prabhu vs Chris Bates

Master Unlimited
Name: J S Prabhu (Bulk carriers)
Date: 18th May 2022
Examiner: Capt. Chris Bates
Result: PASS (1st Attempt)
I logged in 20 mins prior exam time and was waiting for the examiner, exam time passed and I continued to wait for another 8-10 mins, later I taught to sign out and sign in again as soon I signed in examiner appeared and asked me where were you and about to cancel the meeting I explained he seems to be not so satisfied, hence if u face such kind do logout and login there might be some network issues.
ID check NOE checks and exam started.
A bulk carrier needs certain documents to be carried can you explain what all are they?
Explain all certs/registers and last mentioned about ESP file
What do you mean by ESP?
Additional requirements for bulk carriers?
you have joined the vessel and how you will establish safety committee?
I started answering about forming a safety committee meeting safety rep safety officer as per reg, he listened for a while and said you were explaining about safety committee meeting I asked about safety committee? Explained ill follow HELM /Health and safety regs more management style
What is your expectation from safety officer?
As a master how what is your expectation from crew?
How would you do a quick assessment on vessel stability?
At loading port cargo discrepancies what will you do?
How would you go about a safety construction survey and what docs you will prepare?
As Master your expectation from OOW? Starting from Bridge?
Then he shared his screen, and it was image of a magnetic compass
Asked about TMC and where it will be mentioned?
Autopilot/steering systems
Asked about uses of kelvin balls and what coefficient it corrects
Then while changing the slides he stopped in wind rose on a routing chart asked to what it denotes
And many chart symbols and tidal diamonds (kindly check NP5011 prior exam)
Showed me a container ship image with collapsed containers
I started saying about lashing and loading procedures he said what else can be and then I mentioned about parametric rolling and he asked how you avoid it.
Then he showed a Radar picture and Followed by Gyro failure Went up to what cert affects and who you will inform
Showed me present day synoptic chart asked wat do you think about weather now around UK
Explained depression how it forms also about fronts
What do you mean analysis chart and prognosis chart?
Then he said let’s move to ror
Buoyage:
East cardinal Bouy
Region A Preffered Channel to stbd
Ror Situation
1.NUC on port side 2 points
2.pdv crossing in tss
3.showed me Singapore straights image and asked about a precautionary area
4.who can use Inshore zone
5.sailing vessel overtaking a PDV who keeps clear
Many lights (including FV stopped in tss with outlying gear extended) and one RV plot and asked to find out other vessel Co and speed.
Then he said that will be your end of the exam and ill call it as a “pass”. Captain Chris bates is very fair examiner and expect you to answer in management style.
Many thanks to God!!!
I Thank GMA, Panopto videos and my batch mates. Group discussion key to success.
All the best guys.
Few YouTube channel links for reference which was very helpful for the preparation
Weather:


https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC0pC6knE4bi20Hyd7Z1S-2A
Basic engineering like how autopilot ,ME Steering gear works refer : https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCosExgfjj-DhMJXnQd2Y4gA
Gyro compass working: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCDX9L-7V9UQnGLtPYH2BdfA
Other general topics you can refer to :
https://www.youtube.com/c/SteeringMariners
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6PB6zy-40xXA2r7cdOFDWg