Master 500 (Workboat) Oral Examination
Candidates should demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge outlined in this oral
examination syllabus, by the appropriate response, anticipations and reactions to a range of
routine, non-routine and contingency scenarios as presented by the examiner, from the
perspective of the master of a workboat.
1 NAVIGATION (Workboat Master 500)
1. Plan and Conduct Safe Navigation
a) demonstrate an ability to undertake passage planning, taking into consideration:
i) restricted waters;
ii) meteorological conditions, through interpretation of a synoptic chart, and to
forecast local area weather, the characteristics of various weather systems;
iii) restricted visibility;
iv) the requirements of ship routeing and mandatory reporting systems;
v) reporting in accordance with ship reporting systems;
b) IALA system of maritime buoyage (Region A and B)
c) electronic navigational systems – limitations and sources of error, methods of
correction;
d) limitations of electronic chart systems including ECDIS and RCDS navigational
chart systems;
e) radar and ARPA – practical use of, modes of operation, limitations, sources of
error and parallel indexing;
f) use care and limitations of the gyro compass and associated equipment including
automatic pilot;
g) sources of 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;
h) port radio information services, knowledge of the type of service available to aid
vessels entering ports, berthing, VTIS and VTS services, as indicated in the
Admiralty List of Radio Signals – Vessel Traffic Services, Port Operations and Pilot
Stations.
2. Establishing Safe Watchkeeping Arrangements and Procedures
a) thorough knowledge on the principles of navigational watchkeeping at sea,
including under pilotage, and watchkeeping at anchor and in port;
b) a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the international
regulations for preventing collisions at sea;
c) knowledge of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide;
d) understand the use of bridge equipment, including rate of turn indicators, course
recorders, echo sounders and NAVTEX;
e) knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot, operational
procedures and change-over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa –
adjustments of controls for optimum performance;
f) knowledge of principles of establishing a safe engineering watch at sea, anchor
and in port.
3. Compasses
a) operation and care of compasses commonly fitted on board ship – variation and
deviation, causes and effects, sitting of other equipment with reference to magnetic
compasses:
b) working knowledge of the purpose of correctors/corrections.
4. Manoeuvre the Ship
a) preparations 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
b) proper procedures for berthing and unberthing
c) knowledge of manoeuvring and propulsion characteristics of workboats with
special reference to stopping distances and turning circles at various drafts and
speeds, squat and interaction
d) helm orders, conning the ship, effects of propellers on the steering of a ship,
effects of wind and current, stopping and going astern, turning short round
e) importance of navigating at reduced speed to avoid damage caused by own ship’s
bow wave and sternwave
f) choice of anchorage and working anchors in all circumstances
g) embarking and disembarking a pilot;
h)precautions to be taken before the onset of heavy weather, management of ships
in heavy weather, handling a disabled ship in heavy weather ;
i) precautions when manoeuvring to launch rescue boats or survival craft in adverse
weather.
j) knowledge of special handling characteristics of workboats.
2 RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES (WORKBOAT MASTER 500)
1. Response to Navigational Emergencies
a) action to be taken when disabled and in distress, abandoning ship, survival
procedures, use of rockets and rocket apparatus;
b) measure to be taken following collision, grounding, heavy weather damage and
leaks including the possibility of beaching the ship
c) emergency towing arrangements and towing procedures;
d) knowledge of operation of emergency steering systems;
e) plan and co-ordinate SAR operations, including establishing and maintaining
effective communications;
f) use of the International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue (IAMSAR)
Manual (Volume III), distress and emergency signals; Search and Rescue around
the UK.
2. Response to Other Emergencies
a) preparation of contingency plans for response to emergencies;
b) method of dealing with fire onboard ship; prevention of fire at sea and in port;
c) maintenance of life saving appliances, fire fighting appliances and other safety
systems;
d) the organisation and direction of fire fighting, and life-boat and life-raft training
drills;
e) SAR and rescue plans for passenger vessels;
f) understand the fundamental actions to be taken in the event of partial loss of intact
buoyancy;
g) action to limit damage and salve the ship following fire, explosion, collision or
grounding including protection of the marine environment;
h) action to safe guard all persons on board in an emergency;
i) action to be taken when an emergency arises in port;
j) safety during helicopter operations;
k) assisting a ship or aircraft in distress.
3. Communications
a) emergency communications within the GMDSS regulations;
b) sources of medical information available.
3 ONBOARD SHIP OPERATIONS (WORKBOAT MASTER 500)
1. Pollution Prevention Requirements
a) responsibilities under the International Convention for Prevention of Pollution
including master’s duties, obligations and liabilities, including the keeping of
records;
b) measures to be taken to prevent pollution in port and at sea;
c) take appropriate action in response to pollution incidents onboard and found at
sea;
d) knowledge of the contents of the SOPEP manual, Garbage Management Plan and
use of anti-pollution equipment;
2. Seaworthiness of the Ship
a) effect upon ship behaviour of lists, stiff and tender stability conditions, large angles
of heel and associated righting precautions;
b) practical knowledge of the particular loadline items and openings affecting
seaworthiness;
c) working knowledge of stability and trim information including the importance of free
surface effects and the identification and correction of an angle of loll;
d) specific effects on stability and stress caused by ship type or nature of trade;
e) preparations for dry-docking and undocking, general procedures and precautions
to be observed.
3. Crew Management
a) knowledge of personnel management, organisation and training including
disciplinary procedures;
b) application of hours of work and rest legislation.
4. Legislative Requirements
a) contents and use of Merchant Shipping Notices, Guidance Notes, Marine
Information Notes and the Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners;
b) knowledge and application of current Merchant Shipping Health and Safety
legislation, and the Code of safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen, and the
main elements of Risk Assessment;
c) a knowledge of international conventions relevant to the operation of ships and
concerning safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment, including
certificates and Other documents required to be carried on board ships;
d) requirements for statutory and classification surveys;
e) certificate of Registry and its legal significance;
f) safe manning, crew agreements, conditions of employment, and the official log
book and the law relating to entries;
g) reports required by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch;
h) purpose and application of International Safety Management (ISM) Code;
i) purpose of Flag and Port State control; and inspections under Port State ;
j) the requirements of the regulations concerning life-saving and fire-fighting
appliances;
k) requirements for drills and training;
l) putting into port with damage to ship from both a business and technical point of
view;
m) towage and salvage agreements;
n) the law relating to the reporting of dangers to navigation;
o) knowledge of the master’s obligations with respect to pilotage.