Maritime Education and Studies: MARINE DECK Officers' COMPETENCY EXAMINATION SYLLABUS

Syllabus for DOC-3,2 & F.V. Skipper Oral Examination

1 NAVIGATION

1 Plan and Conduct Safe Navigation.

a) Passage planning with respect to the use of navigational publications including navigational charts (including ECDIS and RCDS), sailing directions, light lists, tide tables, radio navigational warnings and ships’ routeing information;

b) Port Radio service,VTIS,port operation and pilot service;

c) the requirements of ship routeing and mandatory reporting systems;

d) IALA systems of maritime buoyage;

e) electronic navigational systems - limitations and sources of error, methods of correction;

f) limitations of electronic chart systems including ECDIS and RCDS navigational chart systems;

g) radar and ARPA - practical use of, modes of operation, limitations, sources of error and parallel indexing;

h) sources of meteorological information, ability to use and interpret information obtained from ship borne meteorological instruments, (the instruments supplied by the Meteorological Office will be taken as standard), knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems, reporting and recording systems.

i) understand and interpret a synoptic chart and use of weather routing services;

j) knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems, including tropical revolving storms, the avoidance of storm centres and dangerous quadrants;

k) To use an azimuth mirror for taking bearings, including the determination of compass errors;

l) To use a sextant, identify and correct errors;

m) danger messages and obligatory reporting requirements.

2 Establishing Safe Navigational Watchkeeping Arrangements and Procedures.

(a) a thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watch-keeping at sea, including under pilotage, and watch-keeping at anchor and in port;

(b) a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea;

(d) practical measures to be taken when navigating in or near ice and dealing with ice accumulation on board;

(e) understand the use of bridge equipment, including rate of turn indicators, course recorders, echo sounders and NAVTEX;

(f) knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot, operational procedures and change-over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa, adjustment of controls for optimum performance;

(g) knowledge and application of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide;

(h) limitations and risks involved with the use of ECDIS and RCDS; inter-relationship and optimum use of all navigational information available;

3 Compasses.

a. use, care and limitations of the magnetic and gyro compasses, and associated equipment including automatic pilot.

b. the operation and care of various types of compasses;

c. care and maintenance of the magnetic compass and binnacle;

d. knowledge of the purpose and use of compass correctors (candidates will not be required to demonstrate a compass correction procedure);

e. knowledge of how to find the magnetic bearing of a distant object and subsequent construction of a deviation card.

4 Manoeuvre the Ship.

a. helm orders, conning the ship, effects of propellers on the steering of a ship, effects of wind and current, stopping, going astern, turning short round, interaction and squat, manoeuvring in the vicinity of pilot vessels and other craft, embarking and disembarking a pilot;

b. preparation for getting under way, duties prior to proceeding to sea, making harbour, entering a dock, berthing alongside quays, jetties, or other ships, and securing to buoys;

c. berthing and unberthing at jetties, quays, mooring buoys and single-point moorings with/without tugs, with/without tidal stream, with/without wind;

d. manoeuvres in restricted waters and open ocean waters;

e. embarking and disembarking pilots;

f. anchors: different types of anchors and their advantages and disadvantages, preparation for anchoring, anchoring in a tideway and in confined water, operation of anchoring with a single anchor and use of a second anchor, dragging anchor, clearing a foul anchor and hawse, hanging off an anchor, breaking and slipping cables, getting under way;

g. navigation in the vicinity of ice, ice reporting and steps to be taken in the event of ice accretion;

h. manoeuvres to launch and recover rescue boats/survival craft.

i. importance of navigating at reduced speed to avoid damage caused by own ship’s bow wave and sternwave;

j. precautions when manoeuvring to launch rescue boats or survival craft in bad weather.

k. action in event of failure of:- bridge control, telegraph or steering; emergency steering arrangements.

l. proper procedures for anchoring.

m. use and care of mooring lines and associated equipment;

n. Effect of various Deadweight.

2 CARGO HANDLING AND STOWAGE

1 Loading and Unloading of Cargoes).

a. use and care of synthetic fibre and wire ropes, ascertaining of safe-working loads;

b. basic knowledge of the regulations and recommendations affecting cargo handling, stowage, securing and carriage, including the IMDG Code;Grain cargo-Timber cargo-ore-container-refrigrated-dangerous goods-oil-chemical-gas-heavy lift.

c. use of the hydrometer.

d. use, maintenance and testing of cargo handling equipment on board the vessel concerned;

e. application of the contents of relevant codes and guidelines concerning the safe handling of cargoes on board the vessel concerned;

f. knowledge of the effect on trim and stability, of cargoes and cargo operations on board the vessel concerned;

g. use of stability and trim information, use of stress-calculating equipment, knowledge of loading cargoes and ballasting with respect to stability and hull stress.

h. Cargo securing Manual.

2 Stowage, Securing and Care of Cargoes.

a) application of the contents of relevant regulations, codes and guidelines concerning the safe stowage, securing and carriage of cargoes.

3 RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES

1 Response to Navigational Emergencies.

a. knowledge of the effect on trim and stability, and subsequent actions in the event of damage to and consequent flooding of a compartment;

b. preparations and precautions for towing and being towed;

c. SAR and rescue plans for passenger ships;

d. knowledge of the operation of emergency steering systems.

e. Response to Navigational Emergencies

f. initial action following:

Ø man overboard,

Ø collision, grounding,

Ø flooding or

Ø major mechanical damage, and

Ø receipt of a distress message;

Ø initial damage assessment and

Ø control, protection of the marine environment;

g. precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations;

h. use of the International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual (Volume III), distress and emergency signals; Search And Rescue around the UK and world-wide.

i. precautions when beaching a ship;

j. grounding: action to be taken when imminent, after grounding and re-floating, and subsequent surveys;

k. measures to be taken following exceptional circumstances including loss of rudder and/or propeller and impairment of watertight integrity of the ship through any cause;

l. plan and co-ordinate SAR operations, including establishing and maintaining effective communication

2 Respond to Other Emergencies.

a. understanding of the organisational procedures for emergency parties and drills;

b. knowledge of fire prevention, use and care of fire-fighting appliances, the shut-down and isolation of plant and equipment, escape and breathing apparatus, fire and safety plans;

c. knowledge of classes and chemistry of fire;

d. understanding of action to be taken in the event of fire including fires involving oil;

e. use and care of life-saving appliances and equipment including hand held radios, EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids, and rocket line throwing apparatus;

f. meaning of markings on survival craft and associated equipment;

g. correct use of distress signals and awareness of penalties for misuse;

h. launch and manage survival craft, recover rescue boats at sea;

i. precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergencies;

j. basic principles of survival;

k. appreciation of action to be taken when emergencies arise in port;

l. sources of medical information available.

m. the organisation and direction of fire-fighting and abandon ship parties;

n. methods of dealing with fire on board ship; prevention of fire at sea and in port;

o. action to be taken to prevent the spread of fire;

p. operation, maintenance and testing of fire fighting equipment, fire doors, dampers, screens and detection equipment;

q. operation, maintenance and testing of watertight doors, sidescuttles and scuppers;

r. launch, manage and ensure survival in survival craft, recover survival craft at sea and beach or land survival craft;

s. operation, maintenance and testing of lifesaving appliances;

t. knowledge of the contents of SOLAS training manuals;

u. action to be taken when disabled and in distress;Ship abandonment and rescue;

v. assisting a ship or aircraft in distress; rescuing the passengers and crew of a disabled ship or ditched aircraft;

w. safety during helicopter operations.

x. Precaution for towing other vessels and being towed;

y. Fire Zone and Emergency escape

3 Communications.

a. use of distress and emergency signals, International Code of Signals and the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases;

b. emergency communications within the GMDSS regulations.

c. correct use of distress signals and awareness of penalties for misuse;

d. sources of radio medical advice.

4 ONBOARD SHIP OPERATIONS

1 Compliance with Pollution Prevention Requirements.

a) measures to be taken to prevent pollution in port and at sea;

b) take appropriate action in response to pollution incidents on board and found at sea;

c) knowledge of the contents of the SOPEP manual, Garbage Management Plan and use of provided anti-pollution equipment;

d) practical knowledge of the requirements of MARPOL Conventions;

e) knowledge of responsibilities, duties, obligations and liabilities in respect of pollution.

2 Seaworthiness of the Ship.

a) preparations for sea prior to sailing with respect to watertight integrity and additional precautions to be taken before the onset of heavy weather;

b) practical knowledge of the particular loadline items affecting seaworthiness;

c) action in event of cargo shift, damage to hull or hatches, loss of cargo overboard or ingress of water into hull;

d) preparation for dry-docking and undocking with and without cargo/damage; general procedure and precautions to be observed;

e) use and care of deck machinery commonly fitted.

3 Crew Management.

a) knowledge of personnel management, organisation and training including disciplinary procedures;

b) application of hours of work and rest legislation.

4 Maintain Safety of Ships Crew and Passengers.

a) master’s responsibility with respect to stowaways and prevention of smuggling;

b) precautions to safeguard against terrorism, piracy and armed robbery;

c) methods of pest control - fumigation of holds and living spaces; safeguards in applying various methods.

5 Legislative Requirements.

a) knowledge of the application of current Merchant Shipping Health and Safety legislation, including the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen and the main elements of Risk Assessment;

b) Improvement and Prohibition Notices;

c) safe manning, crew agreements, conditions of employment, official log book and the law relating to entries;

d) understanding of load line marks, entries and reports in respect of freeboard, draft and allowances;

e) routine inspection of living quarters and store rooms, and complaints procedure;

f) requirements for records including Oil Record Book;

g) requirements for drills and training;

h) the requirements of the regulations concerning fire-fighting appliances;

i) knowledge of the requirements of the regulations concerning life-saving appliances;

j) knowledge of the international conventions relevant to the operation of ships including certificates and other documents required to be carried on board ships;

k) requirements for statutory and classification surveys;

l) reports required by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).;

m) putting into port with damage to ship and/or cargo, both from business and technical points of view - safeguarding of cargo;

n) obligations with respect to pilotage;

o) towage and salvage agreements;

p) purpose of Flag State and Port State Control;

q) purpose and application of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.