[esailor Team]

Masters Unlimited

Examiner – Captain Michel Moro
Date – 24/10/2023
Tme – 11:30
Duration – 1 Hour 20mins
Result – Pass

Exam started with the usual questions regarding work experience and current vessel to put you at ease.
• What are the masters responsibilities in regards to the ISM code
• You mentioned the SMS review , what would you do if you found out your SMS was not in line with the latest requirements and regulations?(fix it and raise NC against company)
• As this is going on (investigation and NC against company) how would you keep your crew up to date with the progress? (safety meeting, posting minutes)
• Who is responsible for Health and Safety onboard?(everyone)
• You mentioned safety committee members, how are they selected?
• One day and AB comes to you to complain he is being bullied by the chief mate. How will you deal with this complaint? (Took over 20mins on this question going over everything from investigation , info gathering , discipline meetings , where to log things , merchant navy code of conduct)
• Will you involve any external party in this matter ? (yes DPA & MLC complaint procedure)
• If the AB or Chief mate is not happy with the outcome of your investigation what advice will you give them? ( told him they can complain via MLC complaint procedure which is flag state) He also said they can use a Union if they have one.
• As you know most certificates are issued by a classification society , are they issued by class or on behalf of?( I explained about ACS and Enhanced and what the differences are)
• How do you know if your vessel is under EAS ?
• Lets look at IAPP , can you tell me validity and survey requirements? (was looking for the info on tiers of engines apart from the usual stuff. Also bunker receipts and notes and samples)
• Okay Chief engineer brings you the oil record book after bunkering for you to sign. What do you do do you need to check everything in the record book? ( I said no its not possible have to do sampling process and compare pump rates etc)
• Okay As a Master what action will you take if a Major piece of equipment fails onboard? I asked for an example of the equipment and he said any that effects a ships certificate. (fix the problem if possible by spares , requesting them if not get dispensation , risk assessment , raise NC to company for not having spares)
• Okay you if Flag decide to give you a dispensation what information would you expect to be on that dispensation ?
• I expect your vessel is fitted with BWTS , what do you do if this equipment breaks down and what will you do? ( was looking for the information about going back to D1 from D2 in the ballast water management plan onboard)
• You are Master on a British flagged vessel and a non British officer comes to sign on. What documents will you be looking for to sign this person on? ( STCW , ENG1 , CEC / CER / ECRA , live list, uk discharge book, if not sail short handed , dispensation from flag , rest hours , raise NC to company and CAP)
• Okay you are on costal passage and you have engine failure and blackout what will your actions be as Master?( I said is it blackout and engine failure or just engine failure as most nav equipment in a blackout is on the Eswitchboard , so he said okay yes just engine failure)
• IF the vessel runs aground what reporting requirements do you have as master?(Class,Flag,DPA,Sopep,MAIB)
• Gave me this image asked how I would approach , how many shackles I would use and how I would anchor.

• How would you unmoor with no tugs or bow thruster from the quayside and proceed South? (no wind no current)
•
• Explain the above situation to a new Cadet onboard regarding all rules that are applicable , explain responsibilities for each vessel and rules and then all together with final action. ( this was the only rule question one big one)
• Buoyage region A leaving port , South Cardinal , Isolated Danger , Preferred channel to stbd

This was the end of the exam , no radar plot. Captain Moro I have to say was excellent. He will give you a different angle to the question if you are not sure on something and doesn’t try to catch you out just wants to know your knowledge. I think when he knows you know your stuff he is happy to just chat about things. Great exam questions for Master syllabus.

Good Luck!

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