[esailor Team]

08th July 2025
Candidate: Sharukh Percy Ranikhetwalla
Examiner: Capt. Pier Chubb
Masters unlimited

I joined the teams call 10 min prior exam time, and the examiner joined soon after. He started with his introduction, code of conduct, and examination rules.

He asked me my previous experience, of oil tankers, Then he said my company has acquired a new bulk carrier and I am to join. He asked actions from receiving the email to join from the company.
– Company familiarization, DPA, CSO, Ops, tech, crew
– SEA
In the office, the superintendent shows you the PMS of the vessel and a lot of items are overdue.
What are the possible causes, and what document can be presented to justify so many overdue items?
– He was looking for the dry dock list, updated with all relevant PMS overdue items.
How would you take over from the Master when on board? (He asked to skip the jetty, gangway part and start straight from the cabin)
– Certificates, logs, etc.
You take over, and vessel has Interim SMC and is within the 3-6 month window for inspection for full term SMC. Preparations as Master?
– Preparation for initial SMC inspection. He wanted to hear Objective evidence.
Bow Thruster not working, vessel needs to leave port.
– RA, Check for spares, shift to anchorage. Inform pilot of the same,
Pilot safely unberths vessel with tug, shifts you to the next chartered berth, and disembarks.
What will the pilot do with the information on faulty bow thruster?
– Inform PSC.
What will PSC do on receiving this information? What will be updated.
– I mentioned schedule an additional inspection, and update thetis.
He wanted more… But was happy to move on.
Vessel departed berth, PSC was unable to attend, so will definitely attend at upcoming port, ETA 4 days. What would you do to prepare for that.
– Start checks for PSC. He wanted to mention that as new master you would check old defects from previous PSC report and physically verify that they have been correctly rectified.
Showed me a synoptic chart (current) said I was on east coast of UK, and had to sail north, around to the West Coast. Departure a day later. He asked based on current chart, what are your concerns?
– Forecast for the day of departure. Possible delay at berth. Shift to lay up berth or anchorage.

Vessel experienced heavy weather, and when weather subsided, crew observed crack on main deck. Action?
– Emergency actions.
– He wanted to hear announcement “This is not a drill”
– Actions to stop crack from spreading – RA, Permit procedures
Vessel now going to port of refuge. What will master have to prove to avoid blame?
– Note protest, VDR, Log keeping
On approaching Port of refuge at night, you go to bridge and see RADAR picture.
(Same as discussed in class). Asked to identify faults.
– Refer to RADAR image provided at GME.
After rectification, Vessel runs aground.
– Emergency explained.
He asked what actions toward the OOW?
– Disciplinary procedures
– He wanted to hear alcohol test
– He said alcohol test is negative so further actions were to assess competence through fatigue, state of mind, stress
Showed me picture of HRU, asked to explain to a cadet everything about it.
– He also wants to know why the weak link is designed to be at the bottom of the HRU.
He gave me the answer, to save the full painter, as you would need it when in the life raft.
Ship handling, approaching berth, S/S alongside, 10 kt off shore wind on approach, and no wind or current at berth, Left hand CPP.
– Explained fwd spring, hard port, kick ahead
RV
– Stationary target on stbd bow (No ROC), overtaking vessel on stbd quarter.
Asked to give me approx. CPA and TCPA from the screen. Asked to explain each target, and take action, with explanation of the rules.
– Target on port bow at 7 NM, target on stbd (Brg approx. 080) at 6 nm.
Asked for action, along with explanation, and asked to clarify how bold an alteration will be made.
Buoys
– Emergency wreck marking buoy. No details of buoy, but went into actions after seeing the buoy on you planned track, and your more than 50 NM from land.
Situations
– PDV following TSS, vessel moving parallel to you in in shore zone, another target joining the lone from stbd, slower than you.
Action with explanation.

– Tug and tow >200 m, explain the limitations of the situation.
He wanted clarification of rule 7 d(ii), and action to properly assess.
Bearing of fwd of tug, and brg of stern of tow.
– CBD on port side crossing, at a decent range.
Actions and responsibility.
Rule 8f (i)(ii)(iii)
Here he was looking for proper assessment of CBD planned route (DW, Narrow channel, etc..) to see if she is still of concern at a closer range.

This was the end. PASS.

Overall examination atmosphere was calm. Capt. Chubb was clear as to his intentions of questioning, the type of answers he expected, and areas where he would ask to move on. He prompted wherever necessary till he heard what he was looking for. Overall very comfortable examination, covered most topic from the syllabus.

[Author]

Posts