What are the main priciples when considering the manning of a UK registered ship?

- The capacity to maintain a safe watch in accordance with STCW '95.

- Able to moor vessel safely and effectively.
- Able to operate / maintain watertight doors and to mount an effective damage control party.
- Able to operate / maintain LSA / FFE and ability to muster/disembark.
- Ability to manage safety function of vessel at sea.
- Safe engine watch.
- Ability to operate main propulsion and auxiliary units for ship to execute voyage safely.
- Keep Engine Room clean.

If collision is inevitable with another vessel, what helm or engine orders would you
give?

Main concern is to reduce the effect of collision as much as possible; damage will be more
serious if vessel is struck at mid length.
Engines should be stopped and rudder applied so as to achieve a glancing blow if possible
forward, due to the added stiffening / collision bulkhead.

At sea, the OOW calls you to the bridge having just seen a submarine sunk buoy,
action?

- Order standby engines.

- Obtain position of own vessel.
- Establish whether the buoy is adrift or attached to the submarine.
- Obtain depth.
- Refer to annual summary of NTM section on submerged submarines.
- Pass information to CRS for passing on to coastguard, MOD, Admiralty.
- Keep engines rotating.
- Switch on / off echo sounder and a man stationed in bottom plates of engine room to hammer
on shell plate ( this will advice the submarine that his buoy has been sighted).
- Prepare emergency boat in case of persons escaping from submarine (only applicable in
shallow water ie. 30m).
- Update shore authorities.
- At night rig and operate searchlights.

You are on a vessel with Controllable Pitch Propeller, what instructions would you
give to newly joined Officer to the vessel not familiar with CPP?

- Effect of the propeller under different loaded conditions and at different speeds.
- Effectiveness of the propeller astern.
- Minimum pitch setting for viable steerage.
- Pitch setting corresponding to zero thrust.
- How to maintain steerage as long as possible after an engine failure.
- Resulting effect of a remote control failure or hydraulic failure.
- Precautions to be taken prior to starting the engine or clutching the propeller.
- If steerage will be lost, if propeller pitch is reduced too quickly and how to correct.

You are called to the bridge by the OOW when at anchor. A vessel is approaching
you on a steady bearing, can you sound the warning signal consisting of one short /
one long / one short blast?

I would need further information as to the condition of visibility as warning signal is for
conditions in restricted visibility.If the visibility was not restricted would sound at least 5 or
more short and rapid blasts.

What information are you required to transmit when meeting a tropical storm to
which no prior warning was received?

Transmit 'danger Message' as per SOLAS Chapter V, including:

- Position.
- Course and speed of ship.
- Barometer pressure and change.
- True wind direction and speed.
- State of sea.
- State of swell.
- Direction and period of swell.

Your vessel hits a submerged rock, and is sinking quickly, what communications
would you make?
Transmit alarm signal if time, distress message on all available GMDSS transmitters: DSC's Ch
70; MF/HF DSC; Inmersat 'A'; Inmersat 'C'; EPIRB.

Transmit by all means, giving additional information if time.

On your vessel at night, you bring it to a stop whilst awaiting a rendezvous with a
stores launch off port limits, what change do you make to your navigation lights?

Leave on, as vessel is still able to manouevre as required by the rules.

What would your actions be on preparing to enter Ice?

- Is it necessary.
- Obtain latest information;
* Density.
* Thickness.
* Plot location of ice edges.
* Changes of wind direction.
- Keep continous lookout when approaching ice, visual and radar.
- Limitations of radar regarding detection of ice.
- Aware of ice classification.
On nearing Ice;
- SBE
- Master on bridge - clear instructions.
- Right angle of entry at reduced speed.

What cautions would you be aware of when navigating near a coral bank and the
charts for the area are from 1895?

In addition to the unreliability of lead line surveys at this time, beware of changing depths, as
coral grows at 0.05 m per annum - 5 metres per century.

As Master, what information would you give to the Pilot on his arrival on the bridge?

- Pass the Master/Pilot exchange form.

- Confirm that the bridge team are aware of the difficulties and constraints of the passage, and
the degree of support the Pilot can expect from ships personnel.

- Current status of vessel in respect of;

* +/- any set.
* Engine speed/setting.
* Draught.
* Cargo.
* Anchors.
* Reliability of navigational aids.
* Speed log.
- Made aware of peculiarities of vessel
* Engine/setting.
* Whether vessel fitted with bow thruster or CPP.
 * Number of engine starts available.
- Advised of any defective equipment, machinery or mooring winches.
- Pilot made familiar with the equipment at his disposal, does he want to handle controls, or
leave that to ships staff. How to use VHF and change channels and which radar is available for
him and what mode is it in.
- Location of Life Saving Appliances available for his use.

When deciding on the composition of the watch on the bridge what factors should be
taken into account?

- At no time shall the bridge be left unattended.

- Traffic conditions.
- Weather conditions, visibility and whether there is daylight or darkness.
- Proximity of navigational hazards which may make it necessary for the OOW to carry out
additional navigational duties.
- Use and operational condition of navigational aids such as radar or electronic position
indicating devices and any other equipment affecting the safe navigation of the ship.
- Whether the ship is fitted with automatic steering.
- Whether there are radio duties to be performed.
- Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS), controls and alarms and indicators provided on the
bridge, procedures for their use and limitations.
- Any unusual demands on the navigational watch that may arise as a result of special
operational circumstances.
- Fatigue

Your vessel is an ice strengthened vessel, which is navigating in close pack ice, what
action would you take if the vessel were to be stopped by the sheer weight of ice
ahead?

The vessels engines should be put astern to allow her limited freedom of movement. The very
action of going astern may cause ice movement resulting in new cracks and leads.

Why should you avoid using anchors when navigating in ice?

Should the ice be moving, there is the strong possibility of breaking the anchor cable.

When the Master has taken the con in coastal or pilotage waters, what does the
OOW remain responsible for?

When the Master has taken over the conning of the vessel in coastal or pilotage waters, the
Officer of the Watch is still responsible for the navigation of the vessel and must therefore keep
himself informed and the Master advised of the position of the vessel at all times in a positive
teamwork style.

You are proceeding to an area of distress, what action and preparations would you
make ?

- Plot other ships - Course speed and ETA.

- Check other ships equipment (list of ship stations).
- Construct picture of casualty .
Preperations:
- Nets.
- Men equipped to enter water.
- Liferaft ready at boarding station.
- Preperations to receive survivors.
- Medical requirements.
- Stretchers.
- Boats ready.
- Radios.
- Line throwing apparatus ready.
What are the signs of ICE?
- Ice blink.
- Smoothing of the sea.
- Sea water temperature.

You are called to the bridge by the 3/O. Own vessel in a TSS. A vessel is on a steady
bearing 4 points off the port bow at a range of 3.7 miles. what action would you
take?

Assess the situation taking into account navigational hazards in the proximity and other traffic.
Check the plot on the radar.

In the event of the situation continuing to develop,

Sound the wake up signal - 5 or more short and rapid blasts on the ships whistle supplemented
by flashing light, to indicate my doubt as to the intention of the crossing vessel.

At this stage should no action be taken by the crossing vessel, I would carry out the following:

- Sound one short blast on ships whistle followed by a broad alteration of course to starboard.
or
- Take all way off my vessel immediately.

AT NO TIME DOES THE PRESCENCE OF THE TSS ALTER MY ACTIONS!!!

When navigating in ice, a route is available which follows close inshore, action?

It is dangerous to follow close inshore leads, particularly when the wind is blowing onshore. The
assistance of an icebreaker may not be available in time particularly if your vessel is perilously
close to the shore.

What is the Marine Pollution Control Unit?

The MPCU is part of the Department of Transport. Its function is to act when oil or other
dangerous substances spilled from ships threatens the UK or its waters. The MPCU monitors all
spillages on a 24 hourly basis every day of the year.

It is equipped with 8 aircraft all carrying spraying equipment on 30 minutes notice by day and 2
hours notice by night.
In addition it has two other vessels fitted with sensing equipment to detect oil on the sea
surface, to determine the extent of the slick and to discover variations in its thickness; these
aircraft are used to control and direct the spraying aircraft.

Is there any relationship between ship type / design and how she will squat?

There is a tendency for ships with a bulbous bow and fuller form forward to squat by the head,
whereas a vessel with a finer form will tend to squat by the stern.

There is also a relationship to the position on some vessels as to the position of the LCB fore or
aft of LCF.

You are called to the bridge, a vessel is overtaking you from just abaft the port
beam on a steady bearing, action?

Sound Wake up signal - repeated as necessary, alter away from vessel to starboard to a
diverging course, sounding 1 short blast.

Your vessel has undergone structural modifications in drydock, what action would
you take regarding the compass?
Arrangements should be made to employ the services of a compass adjuster to swing the
vessel after the repair period and obtain a new deviation curve for the vessel.

What distance would you pass of a vessel engaged in cable laying operations?

From the convention on the high seas 1958 - vessels should not close within 1 mile of a cable-
laying vessel.

Where would you find information on Navigation in ICE?

- Mariners handbook.

- Ice Pilot.

What additional navigational equipment is fitted to a vessel greater than 10,000

GRT?

An ARPA unit.

On a vessel with Controllable Pitch Propeller, what back up facilities should be fitted
on the bridge?

- Auxilliary remote control system.

- Emergency stops.
- Telegraph.
- Clutch/declutch facility.
In the engine room there should be pitch controls.

You are on a vessel constrained by her draught proceeding NE bound in the

'English Channel'. When preparing tidal data for calculating UKC, what other factors
would you be aware of particularly in winter?

Aware of Negative Storm Surges, where tidal levels may be more than a metre less than
predicted. Details in Chapter 15a of ASNTM.

In restricted visibility, a fog signal is heard 'apparently' abaft your beam, action?

Although reductions are to be made for fog signals heard forward of the beam, directions of
sound cannot be relied upon. It would be good seamanship to reduce speed when several
signal are heard abaft the beam on an 'approximate' steady bearing.

Is the GMDSS operator responsible for the maintenance of the vessels GMDSS
installation?

No the company has three maintenance options when fitting GMDSS:-

- Arrangement with a shoreside maintenance contractor.

- Duplication of equipment onboard.
- An electrical technician undergoes shorebased training.

You are in command of a twin screw vessel which suffers a complete failure of the
steering gear, what action would you take?

Possibly the position of the vessel, it may be prudent to stop and take all way off the vessel, or
drop anchor if depth allows.Deep sea, adjustment of engine revolutions will facilitate a degree
of steering for a limited time.
The vessel should be considered as not under command and the appropriate lights/signals
shown.
When navigating on a vessel in a waterway, where it may be a possibilty that 'squat'
can occur, what signs can you look for as an indication of the onset of squat?

- Watch for large slow waves spreading out at a larger angle than normal from bow or stern,
once these appear, you are approaching critical speed.
- Observation of Echo Sounder.
- Change in vibration, and handling characteristics of vessel

At night a vessel is sighted fitted with an amber flashing light, what type of vessels
could show such a light?

Submarines are fitted with a yellow/amber flashing light, flashing at a rate of between 90-105
flashes per minute.

A similar light is exhibited on a hovercraft flashing at 120 flashes per minute.

You are called to the bridge by the OOW, reporting a Mine Clearance vessel ahead of
own vessel, in a channel?

- Stop own vessel or reduce speed.

- Comms with minesweeper, and obtain the following information;

* Is the minesweeper engaged in an exercise?
* Is the minesweeper engaged in actual minesweeping?
* What clear navigational tracks are there?
* Which areas are obstructed by mines?

- Minesweeper given wide berth by at least 1000m.

You are called by the OOW, who advises you, that near own vessel is a small fishing
craft with several persons onboard and is sinking. The weather at time is Force 8 / 9
winds, with rough seas and heavy swell, What options do you have?

As the vessel is sinking, you are obliged as Master to attempt a rescue, though with conditions
being so poor, it would be impracticable to lower one of own vessels boats to expedite a
rescue, without considerable risk to the lifeboats crew. You have the following options:-

- Utilise one of the fishing boats liferafts as a means of transporting the survivors from the
fishing boat to own boat, line passed using Rocket Line Throwing Apparatus.
- Use one of own vessels liferafts in the above manner.
- Manoeuvre alongside the fishing vessel, depending on difference in freeboards of the 2
vessels, the use of scrambling nets overside can be made.

On passage, your vessel passes through an area where the GPS position differs
largely from the position obtained by other means, what action would you take to
report this?

A form is available in the weekly Notices to Mariners for the reporting of differences. Pass to
coast radio station details.

Your vessel become stuck in ice, what options do you have?

- Go astern.
- Wheel midships, engines running ahead to clear ice flow astern.
- Transfer ballast, thus changing vessels trim to assist vessels release.

You are off a fairway buoy with engines stopped, drifting awaiting the Pilot ETA app
20 minutes. A vessel 3 miles distance and 4 points on your starboard bow is
approaching on a steady bearing, action?
My engines are ready for immediate manoeuvre and I am not awarded any special privilege,
sound 1 short blast and A/C to starboard.

Your vessel is in collision with another, what are your obligations?

It is the duty of the Master or person in charge of a vessel in collision to:

- Render to the other vessel, her Master, crew and passengers (if any) such assistance as may
be practicable or necessary to save them from any danger caused by the collision.

- The Master must give the person in charge of the other vessel, the name of own vessel, port
of registry and ports from where she is sailing to / from.

Generally a Controllable Pitch Propeller has poor transverse thrust properties when
operated astern. Some CPP units now can provide a transverse thrust action,
explain?

A CPP unit fitted with a combinator system, whereby the RPM is reduced at lower pitch settings,
reducing the vortices thus making transverse thrust more effective.

What check bearings should be made of a DF set each year?

Four check bearings in each quarter.

Your vessel (ice strengthened) has been stopped by the sheer weight of ice ahead.
You come astern creating new leads for your vessel to follow, how do you re-enter
the ice?

You should proceed ahead slowly then increase speed to maintain headway.

Your vessel is approaching the entrance to a fairway, where a vessel is dredging of

the mouth of this fairway. The dredger suddenly switches on a searchlight and
points it at a position about 0.4 miles ahead of you. Action?

The vessel has indicated a danger by using a Signal to attract attention, by directing her
searchlight in the direction of a danger (Rule 36).

A full assessment of the situation is needed:

- Take all way off.

- Plot position on chart.
- Compare position against known charted hazards.
- Establish communication with the dredger by VHF or Aldis lamp.
- Take appropriate action to avoid the area.
After the Pilot boards, as part of the Master/Pilot exchange, what information would you expect
regarding berthing information?
- Confirm berthing and which side alongside.
- Ships accommodation ladder/gangway required or shore gangway provided.
- Number of cranes required.
- Tie-up arrangement.
- Ships or tugs lines when towing.
- Provision of mooring boats.

What is the AMVER organisation?

AMVER means Automated Mutual assistance Vessel Rescue system. It is operated by US

Coastguard with headquarters in New York, providing assistance in the co-ordination of a
search and rescue operation, or other similar emergencies. All vessels are encouraged to
participate in position reporting for all voyages over 24 hours.
The aim of the system is to utilize the capabilities of many vessels as can provide assistance in
time of need.
 On a vessel at anchor in restricted visibility, what additional sound signal can be
made to give warning of the vessels position?

In addition to the normal fog signal, a vessel at anchor may sound three blasts on her whistle to
give warning of her position, namely One Short, One Prolonged followed by One Short blast.

You are in receipt of a distress, what is your immediate action?

- Acknowledge message, take D/F bearings.
- Pass following information:
* Identification.
* Position.
* Speed.
* ETA.

- Obtain bearing of ship in distress, maintain a listening watch on appropriate channels.

- Operate Radar.
- Post extra look-outs.

You are manouevering the vessel in a river basin with the Pilot. On ordering Stop
engines, the OOW tells you that there is no response, action?

- Notify Pilot.
- Re-ring order on telegraph.
- OOW contact E/R.
- Prepare to use anchors and emergency stop.
- Vessel NUC.

You are approaching the fairway buoy off a port, where a vessel is exhibiting the
signals for a vessel aground, action?

- Stop vessel.
- Check own position on the chart and the position of the vessel aground.
- Echo sounder on, if not already.
- Comms with vessel aground, obtaining;
* Time she grounded.
* Draught of vessel.
- Alternative route to port chosen taking vessel clear of dangers.

What additional navigational equipment is required on a vessel greater than 100,000

GRT?

A rate of turn indicator.

When the Pilot boards, what information would you expect from the Pilot as part of
the Master / Pilot exchange?
- Pilots planned route.
- Expected traffic conditions.
- Restrictions for manoeuvres, overtaking, passing, meeting.
- Tides, currents, weather forecast limitations.
- Status of port navigational aids.
- Any special port requirements / signals.
- Positions to meet/release tugs.
- Position to embark/disembark Docking/Sea Pilot.
- Anticipated speeds and ETA's en-route and at the destination.
- What assistance expected from shore e.g.. Tugs, VTS ?
- Contingencies en-route, available anchorages.
- Location of Berth.
- Arrangements for berthing, mooring boats.
- Intended manoeuvre to approach/leave berth.

When beaching a vessel, why should the engines be stopped immediately upon
taking the ground?

If this were not to happen, the soundings may show a build up of a mud or sand bank
immediately astern which would hamper a re-floating operation.

You are called to the bridge by the officer of the watch, having sighted rocket
parachute flares from a vessel in distress, what action will you take?

- Question the lookouts present to verify the officers sighting.

- Check vessels position and estimated position of flare sighting.
- Report the sighting of the flares to the nearest coast radio station, and obtain reports from the
coast station as to vessels missing or overdue.
- Increase lookouts.
- Alter course to investigate sighting, on the basis that red parachute flares are a recognised
distress signal.
- Note time of alteration/deviation and position in the logbook.
- Deviation logged for charter party.

You are called to the bridge, a vessel is on a steady bearing less than 60 degrees on
your port bow showing her starboard side and masthead lights, what avoiding
action would you take ?
Assuming the officer on watch had already given the other vessel the'Wake Up' signal before
calling my presence to the bridge, I would sound 1 short blast and turn to starboard until the
other vessel is approximately on the port beam.

Own vessel is 'hove-to' head in to the seas and weather, how would you turn your
vessel to run before the sea?

The turn should be made at a slow speed, with 'bursts' on the ships engines. The turn should be
made such that the vessel will only be beam on to the seas for the shortest period and at a
comparatively calm period between waves.

Waves do travel with variable frequency such that calm periods do occur. By carefully
observing the sea, these calm periods may be estimated and the turn successfully executed.

You are navigating in a narrow channel, the vessel astern of you sounds Two
prolonged blasts followed by Two short blasts, your action?

The vessel astern has sounded the whistle signal to indicate that she intends to overtake on my
port side, if in agreement I should sound One prolonged, One short, One prolonged, One short
blast and take steps to permit safe passing.
If in disagreement I would sound five or more short and rapid blasts on the ships whistle.

What instruction would you give your officers on the making of entries in the Deck
logbook?

- Original numbered pages not to be removed.

- At sea and in port, the log should be completed and signed at the end of each watch.
- All entries to be clear and accurate.
- Any errors to be neatly crossed out with a single line and initialled.
- If in doubt as to a logbook entry, consult with either myself or the Chief Officer.
- When wind greater than force 7, weather to be recorded every 2 hours.
- Officers rounds to be recorded.

Your vessel (ice strengthened) is navigating in pack ice. The OOW calls you advising
that glacial ice is ahead, your actions?
At no time regardless of ice strength of vessel, should the vessel attempt to break through
glacial ice. This ice is normally very large and extremely solid and should be given a wide berth.

You are accompanying the OOW for transit through the narrows of Singapore, the
vessel blacks out, action?

- Contact Officer / Bosun forward.

- OOW contact E/R.
- Refer to contingency plan and emergency checklist in the 'Bridge Procedures Guide'.
- Steering on Auxiliary system.
- Exhibit sidelights, sternlight and NUC lights on 24V emergency power.
- Notify VTS, securite broadcast.
- Assess situation, can power be restored, can vessel anchor safely?

Regarding navigation in ICE, what considerations would you take in to account with
your own vessel?
- Draft.
- Trim.
- Propeller immersion / Rudder.
- Ice class.

What navigational equipment is required to be carried on a vessel greater than

10,000 GRT?

- Gyro (with means of taking bearings through 360 degrees).

- Radar (Plus radar plotting facility).
- Rudder angle indicator.
- RPM indicator.
If employed on international voyages;
- Echo Sounder.
- Speed and distance log.
- Direction finder.

On a vessel with Controllable Pitch Propeller what action would you take in coastal
waters in the event of a hydraulic failure?

It depends on the fail safe setting of the pitch position. Declutch or stop the engine and anchor.
Use of the emergency pump is not suitable for manouevering.

On passage across the North Atlantic, your vessel enters dangerous ice conditions,
what are your obligatory duties?

- To proceed at a reduced speed at night, or to alter course to pass well clear of the danger
zone.

- Make out an ice report and pass same to the ice patrol, report containing the following
information: type of ice; position of the ice; UTC and date of observation.

Navigating in 'Close-Pack' ice aboard an ice strengthened vessel, what actions would
you take as Master, and what progress would you expect to make?

A vessel navigating in ice should keep moving - regardles of how slow passage may appear, as
once a vessel is trapped, she will go only where the ice goes.
Progress can be made, following leads in the pack ice field, speed reduced accordingly for
navigation in close pack ice.
Double lookouts should be posted when navigating in ice, using seachlights during the hours of
darkness.
Great care should be taken when moving astern - as the after region of the vessel
(propellers/rudder) is the most vulnerable area.

You arrive at the scene of a distress, no ship in charge, confusion exists, action?
Select CSS on capability of crew, vessel language, communication equipment, experience.

When heaving up anchor, the Officer on the foc'sle advises you that the vessel has
fouled a submarine cable, what action will you take?

Endeavor to clear anchor from the submarine cable without causing damage to the cable.
Failing this, slip the anchor and abandon the anchor, marking the anchor with a buoy for later
recovery. Advise the authorities of the occurrence and position of fouled anchor. Enter a
statement in the logbook.
Advise vessels owner and make arrangements to obtain a spare anchor, returning the vessel to
a seaworthy condition.

Your vessel has had a collision with another in coastal waters, due to the extent of
damage, you decide to beach own vessel, what actions would you take before
beaching and when beaching?

- The purpose in beaching, is to land in such a manner to reduce further damage, prior to
refloating at a later date.
- A sandy beach with a gentle slope is ideally suited.
- The vessels approach should be end on, thus restricting further damage to bottom plates,
while favouring bilge plates.
- Circumstance allowing, one or both anchors should be let go and paid out as the approach to
the beach is made, taking care that anchors are not let go where the vessel will come to rest,
causing damage to the vessel.
(There is an advantage to be gained in approaching the beach at a slight angle, the port anchor
can be let go and the ship turned to port to take the beach end on, thus keeping the anchor
clear of the ships bottom and will assist in keeping the vessel straight when coming off the
beach with engines astern)
- Before taking the beach, the vessels ballast tanks should be filled, this will assist the vessel
when time comes to refloat, by allowing the trim of the vessel to be changed, but it also adds
strength to the forward part at the time of taking the beach. Additionally with full ballast,
should the weather detioriate, with the additional ballast weight, help prevent the vessel from
working herself further up the beach and further damage bottom plates.
- Once the vessel has beached, a full sound round of the vessel should be made, together with
sounding round the hull especially around the propellor to assess the depth of water.

- The engines should be stopped immediately on taking the beach.

- A full assessment of damage to the vessel should be made, plug / patch cement box leaks as
required and pump dry any flooded areas.
- Return a full report to the owners and any relevant authorities ie. MAIB, entry made in the
logbook.
- Check the vessels position and note time of forthcoming high waters, and height of tide on
beaching.
- Obtain updated weather reports.

You are called to the bridge, a vessel is overtaking you, 3 points abaft the starboard
beam on a steady bearing, action?

Sound wake up signal repeating as necessary. Avoiding manouevre - alter away from her to a
diverging course - sounding two short blasts.

What is the penalty for proceeding to sea with navigational apparatus inoperable?

2 years in jail on summary of conviction.

What information should be exchanged between the Master and the Pilot?

- Complete Master/Pilot exchange form.

- Following questions to be answered:
* Pilots planned route.
 * Expected traffic conditions.
* Restrictions for manouevres, overtaking, passing, meeting.
* Tide, currents, weather forecast.
* Status of port nav aids.
* Any special port signal/requirements.
* Position to meet/ release tugs.
* Position to embark / disembark Docking / Sea Pilot.
* Anticipated ETA's en-route and at destination.
* What assistance can be expected from shore eg. Tugs, VTS.
* Contingencies en-route.
* Location of Berth.
* Arrangements for berthing / mooring boats.
* Intended manouevre to approach / leave berth.

- Confirm bridge team are aware of the difficulties and and constraints of the passage and the
degree of support that can be expected from ships personnel.

- Current status of vessel in respect of;

* Course steered +/- set.
* Engine speed and setting.
* Draught.
* Cargo.
* Anchors.
* Reliability of navigational equipment.
* Speed log.

- Made aware of peculiarities of vessel;

* Engine/steering.
* Whether vessel fitted with bow thruster or CPP.
* Number of engine starts.

- Advised of any defective equipment, machinery or mooring winches.

- Pilot made familiar with the equipment at his disposal, does he want to handle controls or
leave that to ships staff. How to use VHF and change channels and which radar is available for
his use and what mode is it in.

- Location of LSA provided for his use.

You are deciding whether an officer can keep a bridge watch on his own, what
factors would you take into account?

- Merchant Shipping (Certification & Watchkeeping) Regulations.

- STCW '95.
- Situation assessed safe to do so without doubt.
- Situation regarding: weather, visibility, traffic, proximity of dangers of navigation.
- Assistance necessary when in coastal waters / entering TSS.
- Put across to the young officer that assistance is available immediately.

What lights may a submarine exhibit, in addittion to her navigation lights?

VQ Fl Yellow/Amber light between 90/105 flashes per minute located 1 - 2 metres above the
water. Not to be confused with that of a hovercraft.

What information, would the Master expect from the Pilot, on his arrival?

- Introduce himself.
- Inbound route, speeds.
- Berth and Berth number, if appropriate.
- Which side alongside berth.
- Number of tugs to be used and whether ships or tugs lines.
- Confirm all port Nav aids in order / any out of position.
- Currents / tide.
- Degree of assistance from VTS, other traffic inbound / outbound.
- Required Mooring / tie up arrangement.
- Any relevant port regulations.

When should emergency steering drills be conducted?

At least every 3 months and must include direct control from within the steering gear
compartment, the communications procedure with the navigating bridge, and where
applicable, the operation of alternative power supplies.

In addition it should be tested 12 hours prior to entry to the USA.