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MCA ORAL EXAMS

CHIEF MATE POST HND

Name                :    KiranMurali

Type of ships :    Bulk carrier and Chemical Tankers

Date of Exam :    21.Jan.2010

Examiner        :   Capt. Fletcher

Duration          :  1515 - 1625

Result             :   PASSED

Reached far too early at Fort Matildaalong with Bhupinder was giving the orals before me. I sat down at the parknearby the MCA building reading through the notes and trying hard to findwhat  type of clouds.

Got to the MCA building gate at 14:50.Went through theformalities, was issued with the visitor pass and was escorted to exam hall. Isat down on the chairs nearby waiting for the examiner to call me.

Mr. Fletcher called me to the exam room at 15:10. Heintroduced himself and said he would conduct the orals as per MGN 69.He wentthrough my CDC and asked about the type of ships I had been on. He then startedthe session.

Vsl laid up for last 6 months, you are joining as Master. Explain the checks on magnetic compass.Vsl to undergo ISM audit next port, explain the preparations you would make as a chief officer.Explain how the auditor will carry out an ISPS audit?Preparations for load line survey.Explain about planned maintenance system? System onboard your last vsl.Instructions you as Chief officer would give newly joined 3/O on passage planning as instructed by the Master.Give a description on Marpol Annex-IIDischarge criteria for category X,Y,Z Vsl about to arrive at a port for discharge. Explain the pre discharge preparations and checks.What are the checks to be carried out on cranes ? How often and by whom? Where are the certificates of these inspections kept?Who is a competent person? All about Mandatory Expanded Inspection(MEI)What does Marpol Annex-VI talk about?Latest amendment to Marpol Annex-VIVsl approaching SECA area. What are the onboard preparations?5 yearly load testing of life boat davits and winches (MGN 1803)Vsl entering Dover straits with dangerous goods onboard. What are the reporting procedures?Explain the need for a Ballast Management Plan? Why is ballast water exchange carried out? Methods of doing an exchange?How is ballast tank sediment controlling carried out?What is the difference between an Angle of Loll and a List? Can you have them both at the same time? Which will you treat first and how ? What are the contents of a Cargo securing manual?

Berthing vsl stbd side along side with                                                  

Off shore wind- 15 kts                                                                                               

Tide from ahead – 2 kts

Restricted visibility                                                                                                                   

Target on stbd bow and stbd quarter

ROR situations                                                                                   

Open sea                                                                                                     

You are on PDV Tug and tow crossing from port to stbd ,                          

Tug and tow with a diamond each on both vsl crossing  from port to stbdTug and tow displaying RAM day signal crossing from port to stbd                                     

What do you mean by length of the tow?

Open sea                                                                                                   

You are on a CBD   

Day signal and fog signal for a CBD                                                                                     

RAM crossing from port to stbd NUC crossing from stbd to port                                                              

Fishing vsl crossing from stbd to port Lights – He used  large laminated cards and not smarty board

NUC underway and stopped

Aground vsl > 50m

Fishing vsl seen from port side

Pilot vsl seen from stbd side

Tug and tow more than 200m seen from port side.

Buoyage

Vsl heading 180 deg, placed an East cardinal mark and how to pass it? Top mark,light and rhythm

Buoyedchannel, vsl against the direction of buoyage, take the vsl through as explainthe characteristics of the buoy when passing each one            

Safe water mark

Stbd handmark(Region A)

Preferred Channel to stbd(Region A)                                                                           

Isolated danger mark

Then there was nervous and tensedsilence for couple of minutes and then he said

YOU HAVE PASSED!!!!!!

I would like to thank all thelecturers who helped us with various topics, and all my friends for their inputs

Thanks to Mr. VinilGupta, Mr. Varley , Mr. Strannigan

Special thanks to Mr. DerickRobbie who was always approachable and willing to clear the doubts.