Colreg.net

Time/ Date: 09:00 Friday 24th June (1hr 20mins)

Examiner: Raman Bala

Ship Type: Passenger Ship Class 1

Name: Steven Hunter

Result: PASS

After the Formalities he settles you in very quickly by having a small chat helping to put you at ease. He then explained that I was being examined as Chief Mate on a general cargo ship unless otherwise told and would be primarily looking for safety and stability aspects. It was also stated that as I could be a Master on a vessel ≤3000GT then there would be something on ship handling as Master.

The 2/O is planning a passage - what information would you expect from him and what would he require from you? This leads onto talking about Ballast Water Management & Marpol requirements.

Is the ORB mandatory and what do you record in it?

What are the C/O responsibilities with respect to Garbage and Sewage?

Garbage Management Plan – duties as C/O?

What are the contents of SOPEP?

Heavy Lift – Placed me alongside a berth and gave me a ship model and told me to load a 100t weight using your ships derrick which has a SWL 120t. He kept pushing for is it safe to lift the weight now so make sure all your safety aspects are taken care off before lifting. Where will the heavy weight go, is it safe and how do you know?

What are the contents of the Cargo Securing Manual and the Shell Expansion Plan?

Are there any concerns you will have with your heavy weight on passage?

You are now on passage and whilst on deck you hear the Fire Alarm – actions?

Your ship is about 15yrs old and after having spent a long time in the Caribbean it sails to a European port – what will you be concerned with? PSC (NIR) Mandatory Expanded Inspection! What can they inspect? Is there a Drill?

What is the difference between Improvement and Prohibition Notice? Give an example of both.

He then laid out a narrow channel and told me I was now Master! Places a ship model in the channel and asked what my concerns are? Explain Bank Effect and Squat?

You meet another vessel in the channel on the reciprocal course, what are you going to do and how will you pass it?

Your vessel is single screw going ahead with the rudder amidships – what will your bow do?

What is the diameter called in a Turning Circle and does this change with speed.

Buoyage: Laid out 3 Buoys and only wanted to know what side to pass.

Region B - Outbound - Heading 270°

- Starboard hand lateral

- Port hand lateral preferred channel to starboard

- North cardinal mark

ROR: Open sea on PDV:

• PDV crossing from Stbd

• PDV crossing from Port

• Tug & Tow crossing from Port (Not RAM)

• Nearly head on situation with PDV reciprocal fine on the Stbd bow

FV vs. SV – what is the responsibility between the two.

TSS on PDV & CBD (know for both but I was mainly on CBD)

• FV – where can it fish

• SV – where can it be

• FV crossing from port and Stbd

• SV crossing from port and Stbd

• RAM crossing from port and Stbd

• Tug and Tow from port

• NUC from port

He then said the visibility has deteriorated in the English Channel and asked is this possible? Wanted me to explain the WOA triangle and gave me a vessel in each quadrant and wanted my action for each of them. I was also put on an overtaking vessel with me on the other vessels port quarter and heading towards her.

Put me back in the TSS on a PDV for one more question - a vessel on your Stbd quarter has overtaken you and has now altered her course so she is now crossing from Stbd – Quoted Rule 13.

Lights & Shapes: (Was on laminated cards and not on the smartie boards)

• SV

• FV with her nets fast upon an obstruction (wanted day flag)

• Vessel engaged in Trawling

• Tug and partly submerged vessel

He gave me an MGN to read and then re-asked the question about where a fishing vessel can fish. I had initially said no about fishing in the lane but was given the chance to correct it after reading the MGN; he also wanted me to confirm what the FV cannot impede the passage off. He then stamped my NOE and told me I had passed. The examiner really does not try to fail you so try to be confident with your answers and take your time. Good Luck!