[esailor Team]

Date : 30-May-2019
Candidate : Sohom Chatterjee
Type of Vessel : Bulk Carrier
Surveyor : Capt. R. Jackson
Centre : MCA North East
Time : 1330 Hrs to 1420 Hrs
I was there 15 Mins prior my scheduled time as instructed.
Capt. Jackson opened the door 5 mins prior and led me in.
Gave his usual briefing about the fire alarm and MGN 69.
There was an observer witnessing and taking notes.
He had a sheet kept ready with 6 Dangerous goods on it, some had the UN No. on it and some had the Proper Shipping Names on them. Quantities were mentioned for 4 out of 6 items.
The question was to mention what PLACARDS & LABELS would be required for each of them.
He then took my documents and left the room along with the observer for about 7-8 Mins.
He came back after verifying my Documents and there it began…..!!!
1) Tell me about your Last Ship ?
2) How does Gross Tonnage help you as a Chief Mate ?
3) How will you calculate the Max Cargo to Load ? ( He told me that both the Ports were in the Summer Zone & there were No Draft/UKC Restrictions )
4) Buoyage(Region A – North Bound – Outbound )
He wanted the Identity ,Light Characteristics & Action
– Isolated Danger Mark
– West & East Cardinal Marks ( Had to pass in between )
– Preferred Channel to Port
– Special Mark ( Yellow , CAN Shape )
– Safe Water Mark
5) Load Line Mark of your Last Ship (He mentioned – A Quick Sketch ) – Was looking for FWA.
6) How will you prepare for Load Line Survey.
7) How will you carry out an Enclosed Space Drill. What are the objectives of the Drill.
8) You see the Gyro repeater Spinning – Gyro Failure Actions (Was looking for the Radar bit).
9) Synoptic Chart with Present Surface Analysis & Prognostic . Had TRS ALEX on one & HURRICANE ALEX on one. Asked me to identify the Meteorological Features on both.
10) What parameters will you monitor WRT the TRS ? What are the Likely months for the Present TRS to occur ?
11) What action will you take to avoid the TRS WRT your given position. ( A position of the Vessel was Marked on the chart – Vessel was in the Dangerous Semicircle )
12) Duties of Security Officer.
13) Drew a table on a piece of paper and asked me what are the three areas of concern WRT to each security level . ( Access , Cargo & Stores was what he wanted to hear )
14) What is the Frequency for Security Drill & Security Exercise. (
15) What are the Hazards of Coal Cargo.
16) Multigas Detector Readings & Requirement .
17) What do you know about Bulk carriers early assessment of Hull Damage (MGN 335) .
18) What are the other Health & Safety Regs (He was satisfied after he heard about 15 of them).
19) What does the Work At Height MGN Say ( MGN 410 )
20) How will you carry out the Maintenance of a lifting equipment as per LOLER.(MGN 332)
21) What are the Contents of CH.12 of SOLAS.
22) COLREGS – Identify the Vessel by its Light & Take Action
– Single Red Light on the Stbd Side
– TSS -Vessel Engaged in Fishing Crossing from the Stbd Side.
23) Restricted Visibility – He had a Laminated Sheet Prepared with him. It looked like…
He left me with it for 10 mins , when he was back he wanted the action I would take.
Then he put me on Vsl No.1 and said imagine Vessels 2,3 & 4 were not present and Vsl No.1 had a Risk of Collision with Own Vessel. What action would I take in this case.
He handed over my NOE , Congratulated me , asked about my prospects & Escorted me out of the room.
He was very patient throughout and I did not observe him being sarcastic during the entire process of the examination.
He gives you hint whenever you get stuck or when you are not coming up with the desired answer.
I would like to thank Mr. Donald Oliver & Mr. Ian Smithson for their continuous support & encouragement.
Special thanks to my buddies Ajit & Raunak for all their help . Without them it would have been Impossible.

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