Colreg.net

Name : S. Vishnudevan

Company & Type : NYK LNG Shipmanagement UK, & LNG Tanker and LPG Tankers

Examiner: Capt G Fletcher

I was waiting for Capt G Fletcher to take me into the exam room, once he arrived said to make my way in to the room. After introducing himself to me and said he will be the examiner, will be examining on Master II/2, all the answer should be as if I am on a UK registered ship and me as a Master.

Once all the formalities of positive identification were complete, I was asked what type of ships I done and which company Iam sailing for and where is it located. After that he said he will start with the orals and asked me to come to the magnetic compass. Then said that my ship was laid for a long time and proceeding to sea and said he would like me to do a compass tentative swing and asked how would I go about doing that.

Explained him regarding the retentive error and the risk assessment prior carrying out the swing. Once it is safe to carry out the swing I explained him the procedure for doing so taking into account the preparation before carrying out the swing. After completion on the preparing the deviation card, Capt Fletcher asked me how about me correcting the retentive error. (Really a big thanks for John Mac)

After the successful completion of Compass it was time for ISM audit, asked to go about the procedure the auditor will follow during an ISM audit. Explained him about the audit procedure that is normally followed on board including the opening meeting, scope of the meeting and closing meeting as well and asked me to explain on the observation, non-conformity and Major non-conformity. Asked me during the audit will the auditor be looking into VDR reports, I think he was looking for annual verification from the shore technicians.

Also asked me what feeds are given to VDR and the difference between VDR & S-VDR.

After the ISM audit it was the Turn for ISPS audit and explained the documents that the auditor will be looking for. I think he was quite happy about and moved on to next before I went dry on the subject.

He asked me to go about obtaining a safe manning document and what will I as a Master be looking at when asking for manning level. Explained the guidance and gave reference to MSN 1767 and told him the list of plans and documents to be submitted to MCA for obtaining one.

Asked me to go about the procedure for signing on and opening an article. Explained that him that the OLB and ALC(1) will be opened the same and time and relevant things related to the same and also mentioned regarding the MGN 148 which gives guidance on the same. Continuing on this topic asked me how will I be signing on Polish officers and Filipino ratings. Asked me explain on CEC, STCW certificates for ratings and do they required to have equivalent certificate for watch keeping duties. Then went on to ENG1 expiring for an officer and how would I be obtaining one mentioned the 3 months validity and MSN 1715 & 1821 regarding the list of approved country & practitioners.

Told me the C/Eng is arranging for watch keeping in the E/Room and how would I as a Master be satisfied regarding the rest hours , basically he was looking for Hours of Rest & Work, after I explained this he asked me how young person’s rest hours would be governed on board the vessel.

After going through this things he said the vessel will be reaching the port and what notification needs to be sent. I knew he was going for the MEI PCS notification. After I explained he asked what will the PSC inspector be looking for in MEI, told him about the inspection will be a detailed one and mainly be looking for structural and operation condition of the vessel as it is applicable for older ships. Asked me have I gone through MSN regarding the PSC, I told him yes and it was MSN 1775.

Asked me to explain the difference between the MEI and ESP. told him that the ESP is for Oil & bulk carriers only and does not apply to gas tankers, but asked me explain. Answered him regarding the special survey and the survey report file etc…. Then asked me to go through the surveys carried out by the class in the port.

He told me that the 3rd officer is checking the steering prior departure and the engineer in the steering gear flat says that there is a leak in the system and asked what will I as a Master do about it. Told him that I would request the C/Eng to take a look and get it permanently repaired or asked for the shore technicians to repair prior sailing, and mentioned him that I would ask the class surveyor to do the survey if it was a major leak in the steering system, since they are onboard doing the survey in the previous question.

Asked me what will be telling the newly joined 2rd and 3rd officer regarding ECDIS. Explained the various precautions to be taken while using an ECDIS mainly the user interface. Asked me if there is any certificate I will be checking with regards to ECDIS training to officers. I told him there is no separate certificate or endorsement for ECDIS training in STCW but the company is providing with equipment specific training and certification and I will be looking into it.

Gave me a scenario where the vessel is aground and asked me to go about the situation and what will I be doing in this emergency. Explained all about the grounding, before I was about to go dry he told me that the Naval archs, Class surveyors and the owners are coming onboard for survey how will I go about a helicopter operation.

Gave another scenario where the vessel is alongside terminal discharging and there is fire in the galley. Asked me to go about the situation. After I explained the measures I would take , he asked how the shore personal who visit when the vessel is in the port be familiarized with emergency signal, muster points etc… I told him we, in our company give a sheet of paper mentioning the emergency signal, muster points and routes plan to the muster point when the shore personal board the vessel, and do the head count with reference to the gangway log to know how many shore personal are there onboard.

Asked me explain regarding the Emergency shut down System 1 & 2 for Gas tanker while at berth loading or discharging. After that since I am sailing on gas tanker he asked me whether the cargo carried comes under MARPOL Annex VI and as a master what should I be looking into if it does affect the operation of my ship.

Told him that is does affect the operation with regards to control of emission from the boilers since the LNG takers are normally steam ships. I told him the LSF change over requirements & log book entries before entering a SECA.

Now it was time for some maneuvering, told me make fast to a buoy using own vessel’s anchor chain. Explained him that since gas tanker normally do not moor on to a buoy, I said I will ask for experienced person by informing the company prior arriving at the port for the operation. Then he told the pilot will be carrying out the operation and expected me to tell him hoe the pilot will be carrying out the operation. Then finally I did explain him saying I will carry out the risk assessment and the pass the rope to ring on the buoy and take it back to the vessel and make fast to the cut anchor chain. Then slowing pass the chain taking the weight of the chain on the rope. I think he was quite satisfied with the answer.

Then it was time for ROR and buoys.

1) CBD being crossed by a Vessel engaged in Fishing. Open waters

2) In TSS own vessel CBD, PDV overtaking from STBD side and Ferry Crossing from STBD side, asked me to explain what the Ferry will do , what are the obligations of the CBD and the PDV.

3) Restricted vis & RADAR plotting.

CBD(OWN VESSEL ) PDV (OVERTAKING) FERRY (CROSSING THE TSS)

RADAR PLOTTING and ACTION TAKEN by ALL VESSEL- VESSEL A , VESSEL B, OWN VESSEL(CBD) .

VESSEL (B) VESSEL (A)

OWN VESSEL STILL CBD

Buoyage IALA Region A : Against the direction of Buoys ( Required me to explain the IALA region, Lights, Top Mark, and Which side I would leave the buoy)

1) Safe water mark

2) Preferred Channel to STBD

3) STBD hand Lateral Mark

4) Isolated Danger Mark

Then Capt Fletcher placed a boat upside down and told that it was wreck and gave a west and South Cardinal Marks to place . I placed it correctly and told him the light description, top mark

Then it was the moment of truth , Capt Fletcher said the magic word that I had, answers to question to be qualified as Master for ocean going vessel , I could not believe the orals was over and I have passed also.

My sincere thanks to  Mr. R. Varley,  Mr. V. Gupta (for making COSOFT;  bible for  Master candidate to Understand and clear the Oral exam). Once again thanks a lot