Colreg.net

Colin Murphy

Examiner: Bala

12/02/10 0900

Result: Pass

Arrived at the MCA Buildings early and had a quick look over some notes to calm nerves, got through security and went up to the waiting area. There was a mix u with times and they sent me the wrong time so I was actually due in at 1100!!! This didn’t calm nerves one bit. Finally got called through at 1000 so it wasn’t too long a wait. He then introduced himself and ask for discharge book and portfolio which I gave him, he then asked about what types of vessels that I’d sailed on. After that he asked me to stand up and go to the sextant.

Sextant

Pick the sextant out the box

Hand it to the examiner

What’s the reading?

Explain the errors and how to correct these errors?

He then asked me to put it back in the box

Stevenson Screen

What’s the purpose of the screen and what’s contained inside?

Why do you have a dry and a wet bulb and what can you predict?

PAB

What’s the current pressure?

What do you need to correct for?

Magnetic Compass

Explain the compass. Had to explain everything from the hood to the slewing bolts! What are they all for? How would you find the error? How would you know where the magnets have to go? Where would you find variation?

General Knowledge Questions

What’s the disadvantages of AIS? What information do you need to change in pre departure checks? What’s is Dynamic data? What frequency does it operate? What’s the two types of electronic charts? What are there advantages and disadvantages of each? What do you require of you what to go paperless?

Your on a tanker and your loading and you have a fire at the manifold. Actions? Explain the fire triangle Lifeboat checks and time intervals? LSA and FFA Requirements? SECA requirements? Explain the main factors taken into account when preparing a passage plan from red sea to gulf of Mexico on a VLCC? What info do you find on a Weather Routine Chart? What publications will you find on the bridge to help you in planning your passage?

ROR

Vsl on Port side Vsl on Starboard side Vsl seen from ahead Fishing Vsl on port side Towing vessel on port side RAM engaged in Towing on port side

TSS put vsl on various parts of the TSS and asked if it was ok

Vsl crossing from starboard Vsl crossing from port Vsl less than 20m from port side RAM crossing port side

Lights

Vsl less 20m from ahead Sailing vessel from starboard Trawler from starboard side Vsl aground with two anchor lights Pilot Vsl at anchor

Restricted Vis

Vsl on starboard bow Vsl being overtaken on starboard bow Vsl astern head same co and speed just a little on port quarter

Bouyage

Region B outbound steering 090

Was ask to put the bouy to the side in which it would pass

North Cardinal Preferred channel to stbd Port hand lateral

Special mark Safewater Mark Isolated Danger Mark

He then went through on the things on which I had to look at. Then he put the stamp saying pass, I was well chuffed.

Word of advice it might seem impossible but try and relax, have a good sleep the night before and get there early. DON’T drink to much water before you go in, you’ll regret it half way through like I did.

A big thanks to Vinil for software and help, it does actually cover 99.999% of the stuff you need to know.