[esailor Team]

04 May 2023
Masters Unlimited

Couldn’t initially log in as the link provided kept showing as busy, eventually got in 10 min before scheduled time but only via browser – the app wouldn’t open.

After explaining the rules, confirming I was aware of code of conduct I had to show the camera around the room to prove I was alone and then he checked my passport id.

– Started by asking me to name all statutory certificates for a cargo ship, was looking for Nairobi certificate, COI and DG DoC in particular
– then drilled into MLC. Asked everything on the 4 certificates and particularly what DMLC 2 contained. Was focussed on proving how a SEA is valid – looking for the signature by the owner or if not them then that the person signing on their behalf was nominated in the DMLC2.
Asked about the 2 insurance certificates – still not sure what he wanted as I mentioned the employers liability insurance for repatriation and wages. Asked the function of MLC and spent 10 min looking for something specific on SEA validity but I still don’t know what.
-ISPS. Asked to talk him through an ISPS audit. I did exactly what is given by GMA including a pre audit, pre-visit drill, briefing the crew, having all certs and the security docs available for the initial meeting. In the debrief he wanted me to specifically say what the drill would be, for the master to walk the ship and personally check the SSP is still relevant (I just said check the SSP is up to date and relevant but this wasn’t enough).
HSSC – What is it. I mentioned that it was IMO initiative to make all relevant certificates the same regardless of issuing Flag state, to prevent flags of convenience exploiting the process and lowering standards and that the items checked on each certificate were standardised. What he wanted was me to state that it prevents different certificate surveys checking the same equipment.
ACS/EAS – what are they, who does what, what certs are affected and survey periods. This led on to asking how many different types of survey there are.
-MARPOL. What certificates relate to Annex VI and how do I prove we meet the requirements. Went through IAPPC, EIAPP, IEEC, SEEMP p3.
-Lifeboat davits. What are the maintenance requirements. This confused me greatly as started with the 5 yearly test (including load test) and he stopped me and said to focus particularly on the davit alone. I went through the usual of checking wires (including the 5% rule) and general condition of the davit – external and internal condition, that the wires all run correctly etc but he was looking for something specific to the master that I never got (my answers were too chief matey). Picked me up for not specifying the 1.1 load test but I had started this and he cut me off.
-ECDIS and STCW 2010 Manila. How to prove a new joiners ECDIS cert is valid, he was looking for it to mention the IMO resolution not STCW V. This led on to the 2nd mate planning a route across the pacific and some areas not having ENC, what would I advise. I said to check if we can alter the route to remain within ENC coverage and if not we would have to use Raster charts. He really focussed on RASTER and what the specific requirements for using Raster. He was looking for the MGN 285 statement that Raster charts must be used with paper charts (I didn’t get this and that was a failing point).
-Fire in the hold. Smoke seen from a hold at sea what are my actions as master. He was happy with this: confirm the fire, muster crew, put gas into the space, boundary cool, prepare PAN PAN or MAYDAY as appropriate. Questioned the pre requisites for releasing CO2 and didn’t seem happy with my answer of getting a full muster and shutting down the compartment. Kept asking ‘what else’ and eventually I said check it won’t react with any cargo and then he moved on.
-Injured 3rd mate when loading cargo. I did the usual stop the load and make safe, recover the injured party and commence first aid, contact port for assistance. I said contact DPA to let flag know, but I got a bit lost then and he moved on. Was looking for me to let P&I, charterer, MAIB and me to personally let Flag know. Asked what I would put in OLB, I said I would put a quick precis of the event – date, place, who it was, what caused it. I said I wouldn’t fill the book with a whole report but would instead reference the ship’s investigation and make sure this is kept with the OLB.
OLB – Asked the validity if OLB, I said 6 months and he questioned this. I went into a bit of a spin and doubted myself, said it might be a year but I was sure it was 6 months. Later on he came back to this and I again said 6 months validity which he was happy with.
VDR Failure – said an alarm comes up on VDR and chief engineer and ETO have checked, there is one equipment error (equipment not specified), what would I do. I went into risk assessment, try and mitigate by putting a gopro on the ecdis / radar and having a voice recorder on the bridge. What he was looking for was to contact Flag or RO for dispensation. I had said contact Class (I always conflate class and RO as the same) due to it affecting the Safety Equipment Cert but he said this was wrong and should have been RO. I tried explaining it was a slip of the tongue
– Said I was at anchor and OOW calls saying we were dragging anchor at night with a vessel approaching from starboard. What would I do and what lights I would show. I misunderstood this and said if I don’t have engines immediately available and was dragging I would be NUC, and would show those lights and pay out more cable, drop the other anchor, call for tugs etc. He definitely didn’t like this and asked the rules on engine availability at anchor. I didn’t know this but said if I had engines I would just show normal underway and recover my anchor. He said this was wrong and was a failing point.
SAR – I get a call from 3rd mate saying US coastguard have asked us to check on a transatlantic canoe crossing that has been out of contact for a few days. I went straight in to SAR, IAMSAR vol 3 etc and completely forgot to ask for written proof for charterer.

It was 1hr and 30 min just on certs!

Then showed a couple of buoys, only wanted me to say what it was and my actions.

The expected east and west cardinal with the safe passage between them.
A new wreck marking buoy. He said I see this in a narrow channel what are my actions. I said do a chart assessment of available water, check navtex and contact VTS/ coastal radio station for any details. He said VTS have no knowledge of that buoy, so I took a stab and said I would therefore report it as a rogue free-floating buoy and would report this back to VTS and he seemed satisfied.

Visual COLREGS.

Had me PDV at the bottom of the screen with a PDV CBD crossing from my port side. Asked who was give way. I said under Rule 13 CBD was give way but Rule 18 says I shouldn’t obstruct their passage and together with R 2b I would slow down or alter to starboard to avoid impeding. He questioned this for several minutes and went on to say AIS shows them as shallow draft and we are in deep water. I said I couldn’t use AIS for collsion avoidance, I can see their cylinder so would have to treat them as CBD. He didn’t seem happy with this and kept highlighting their shallow draft and asking me to explain the definition of CBD – I had already said this but he wanted to say ‘in relation to navigable water’ again.
Me PDV following TSS with FV crossing lane from port to stbd. I said satnd on, 5 short if they don’t alter and then go to stbd if reqd and he was happy.
When does a SV have to keep clear of all other vessels. I said overtaking and he moved on.

Smarty Board. What type of vessel, sound signal and my actions.

Res Vis.

Whole thing took 2h and then a 15 min debrief.
Stated that he was 50/50 on passing me but the NUIC anchor and lack of written request for the SAR question were a fail.

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