[esailor Team]

CHIEF MATE ORAL REPORT
CENTRE: NORTH EAST MARINE OFFICE (SOUTH TYNESIDE COLLEGE)
DATE & TIME: 30TH MAY 2019 – 10:30 to 11:35 HRS LT.
CANDIDATE: RAUNAK M.K. PANDEY
EXAMINER: CAPT. ROB JACKSON
RESULT: PASS
Arrived at the exam centre at 10:15 hrs, took the seat awaiting my turn. After 10 minutes, saw Capt.
Jackson through the door and called out my name. Opened a cabinet and asked me to keep my bag
inside with my Passport and CDC to be taken along.
• WELCOME QUESTION: Gave me an empty risk assessment form and asked to carry
out T.B.R.A. for Forepeak tank inspection – went out with my Passport and CDC.
• Came in after 10 minutes, informing me about my last ship saying, “So, Mr. Pandey,
tell me about your last ship which was an Oil/Chemical Tanker”. This was a surprise to me. I started
talking about my last ship stating her DWT, LOA, Beam and Area of trade.
• Then, he took out the R.A. form, checking entries made in the form looking for points
to ask questions. Had mentioned failure of gas measuring instruments and guess what guys, this was
the next question!
• Tell me about the gases measured by the instrument: as usual, H2S in ppm, CO in
ppm, O2 in % volume & HC in %LEL and %Volume. He seemed satisfied.
• He turned over the R.A. form, asked me to draw forward section of the vessel,
looking for collision bulkhead, penetration through the bulkhead. A few days ago, had gone through
the same via the college PowerPoint & this thing was well rehearsed. Explained about collision
bulkhead, penetration through the bulkhead by fore peak ballast tank filling line and exemption
certificate issued for the same. He was also looking for deep floor for pounding in the diagram.
• What all things you will look inside the fore peak tank during inspection? Mentioned
about corrosion, cracks, condition of the sacrificial anodes. Beware… the tank was already readied
for inspection, which meant that the enclosed space entry procedure were already completed so I did
not mention all that procedure.
• During inspection of the forepeak tank, you sight a crack in the collision bulkhead
What will be your action? Said will take photographs, measurements and inform Master, Class, Flag,
and Company, take actions as instructed.
• Where do you find oil cargoes to load on oil tanker – MARPOL ANNEX 1
APPENDIX – 1 – List of Oils. Donald said that he wants to hear about Appendix 1 (List of Oils) and
also Capt. Jackson wanted to know if we have knowledge about same.
• What documents and certificates are required for Chemical Tankers? Certificate of
fitness, International Certificate of Fitness for Carriage of Dangerous Chemicals in Bulk, Procedures
& Arrangements Manual, Cargo Record Book.
• What code is applicable to Chemical Tankers? International Code for Construction
and Equipment of Chemical Tankers (IBC Code). Tell me about the IBC code. Mentioned about
cargoes mentioned in Chapter 17 & 18, extra PPE for Chemical Tankers, Venting Procedures. He
seemed satisfied.
• So, you have loaded cargoes as per the COF, where will you make the entries of
cargoes loaded? Mentioned Annex II Cargo Record Book.
• What are the categories of Annex II cargoes ? Four catagories, X,Y,Z & OS. Told him
about all four.
• What entries are made in Annex II CRB? Loading, Discharging, Internal transfer,
Tank cleaning with date, time, position of the ship. Ports of loading, discharging, internal transfer
and everything. Entries regarding accidental discharge. All these entries to be signed by Chief Mate
and counter signed by the Master.
• Took me to BUOYED CHANNEL on the table behind him; identify, top marks, light
characteristics and take action(s).
OUTBOUND, NORTH BOUND
• Isolated danger mark.
• West cardinal ——east cardinal: kept alongside. Had to pass around both of the buoys
and not in between the two buoys. Gave him both actions, around both the buoys.
• Preferred channel to Starboard Region A Red Can with Green band.
• Special mark (yellow can).
• Safe water mark- informed about all the lights and top marks but was unable to tell
him about the safe water mark light characteristics of one long flash every 10 seconds, he asked me
where can I find the information regarding the same, mentioned about the IALA Buoyage system.
• Then, a surveyor comes on board for CSSEC (Cargo Ship Safety Equipment
Certificate) inspection, what all items are contained within same? LSA, FFA, NAV equipments.
• What all NAV equipments are enlisted as per SOLAS Chapter V?
• What documents will you show to the surveyor regarding LSA, FFA, and NAV
equipments? Looking for annual test reports, 5 yearly test reports & relevant remarks regarding the
tests and surveys.
• Then we came down to lifeboat / rescue boat. What tests are done on these, where do
you find the guidelines for same? Informed him regarding MGN and MSNS. Regarding static load
tests of 1.1 times of SWL. He was still not satisfied with the answers. After taking some time, he
removed one certificate from his file and kept in front of me but I was unable to see the certificate as
it was obscured by smarty boards. Still, he gave me some time to get the answer. This time, he
literally had to dig the answer out of my mouth. It was regarding the fall wires.
• Asked me about testing procedures of Accommodation Ladders and Gangway.
Wanted to listen about Annual testing, 5 yearly static load test, checking of wire ropes.
• Now, he seemed happier, asked about maintenance on wire ropes, discard criteria of
wire ropes. Blabbered out everything as told by Donald.
• He asked what information and details will you provide to the superintendent
regarding the replacement of lifeboat fall wire ropes. Mentioned everything from fall wire certificate
regarding SWL, Overlay, Length and Type of ends.
• The earlier certificate he removed on his table, he asked me to calculate the SWL of
the wire rope mentioned on the certificate. SWL = BS/6.
• You are on watch at 0600 hrs and fire in galley, actions. As I was going through the
procedure, he informed me Chief Cook was missing. Wanted to hear right/left hand search. He was
not looking for any exact sequence.
• Now, you are in dry dock, dock master says dock is to be flooded tomorrow morning,
what checks will you carry out during rounds in dock? Wanted to hear about bottom plugs with
sealing arrangements, sea chests covers bolted and closed with wires, transducers covers removed.
• In dry dock paint job is completed, where will you find details of paint? What cert is
issued? Wanted to hear about Anti-Fouling System, International Anti-Fouling Certificate and
attachment with it stating details of paint applied.
• Duties of Chief Officer? Where do you find it? Mentioned in SMS. Duties took him
cargo operations, stability of vessel at all times, maintenance as per PMS etc.
• What all information inside stability booklet? Blabbered out everything from SQA
booklet.
• Takes out Stability Booklet, how do you enter the hydrostatic particulars? TMD.
Formula of TMD. He was asking about the details all the columns in the hydrostatic particulars.
• Tell me about displacement? What it comprises of? DWT + lightship.
• Tell me about TPC, MCTC, KM (T) and formulae of each & where do you use each
formula?
• What is KM (T) what is M?
• ROR SITUATIONS
—-No need to mention rules —-only identify lights and actions.
• Port bow one green light.
• Pilot vessel STBD side green light – roc? Stand on with caution? What can you do? 5
OMSARB, call Master and A/Co to Stbd moving away from the target until finally past and clear.
• RV – already plotted & laminated sheet, 6 targets with all calculations provided, he
told to analyze the situation and left the room. ROC with only 1 vessel 4 nm 4 pts on STBD bow. He
came in after 10 minutes with his trainee, he asked me about the scenario and mentioned about every
vessel. Informed him about the situation saying roc with target # 4, I have two options available here,
a/co to Stbd or reduction of speed. He asked for my actions, reduction of speed until she can be kept
on her course.
That’s it, he shook my hand and congratulated me saying Mr. Pandey you have passed this oral
examination. He handed over my NOE with these golden words “PASS” and his signature.
I was still unable to believe the results until I saw these golden words written on the NOE.
Then he asked my future endeavors and some casual talk.
I remember, the day when we as cadets, joined the college of STC, our good professors told us that
“these examiners are here to help you guys to pass these exams”. These words I can say that are very
true as Capt. Jackson wanted me to pass and kept giving me hints along the way for the answers
where I got stuck. Thank you Capt. Rob Jackson for the help.
I would like to thank my parents and grandparents for their blessings and support throughout “the
most difficult and intense 10 weeks of our lives” (Copyright: – Capt. Donald Oliver):-D.
Thank you my friends and brothers in arms: Vijay Durgastav, Piyush, Rahul Kaira, Rohit Phadtare,
Ankit Deswal, Anees Sheikh, Joseph Mangan, Vinay Yadav, Vinay Pawar, Bhavin Kulkarni and last
but not the least lovely family of mine across the seven seas Mr. Vidyasagar Roy and Mrs. Niharika
Roy. Cheers y’all.
My dear friends Mr. Ajit Selvaraj and person who’s support I was needing the most from day one –
Sohom Chatterjee.
And finally, the professors of this good college Capt. Donald Oliver, Mr. Ian Smithson, Paul English,
Capt. Jon Milner, Steve Dodd, Capt. Vincent Golding, Capt. Thomas Proctor and Capt. Tahir Awan.
All the best to the future candidates.

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