MCA Master <200gt / OOW <500gt - Oral Preparation

The Oral Preparation Course is designed to give the student full preparation for the MCA Master’s Oral Examination, However the content is very suitable for those hoping to pass the Skipper Full, Master Yachts, Second Hand Full etc.

The course includes basic revision and practice oral sessions on a one to one basis. This covers the following topics, Navigational Safety, Plan and Conduct a Passage Including Chartwork and Position Determination, Meteorology, Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch, International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea IRPCS, Response to Emergencies, Operational Safety and Pollution Control, Seaworthiness of the Ship, Business and Law.

Navigational Safety

A.Plan and Conduct a Passage Including Chartwork and Position

Passage planning with respect to use of navigational publications including navigational charts, sailing directions, light lists, tide tables, radio and navigational warnings

IALA system of maritime buoyage A and B

Limitations and sources of error of electronic chart and navigation systems

Radar and ARPA – practical use of, modes of operation, limitations and sources of error, including basic radar plotting techniques

Understands the importance of regular checking of the vessel’s position and action to be taken if found off track

Applies variation and deviation to convert true course to compass course and vice versa; understands the basic causes of variation and deviation

Fixes a ships position on the chart given magnetic bearings and/or radar ranges and quotes position by latitude and longitude

Finds the magnetic course to steer and the ETA at a given destination given the starting position and log speed

Identifies transits and clearing marks from the chart in order to plan a safe approach to harbour or anchorage

States the meaning and explains the significance of chart symbols and abbreviations in common use

Knows how to obtain and use weekly notices to mariners in order to correct charts

Finds the time of high and low water, and predicts intermediate heights and/or times for standard and secondary ports

Find and predict set and rate of the tide from tidal reference points on the chart, and tidal stream atlas

B. Meteorology

Knows the sources of meteorological information

Interprets weather forecasts including knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems

Ability to use and interpret information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments

C. Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch

A thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watchkeeping at sea, including watchkeeping at anchor; as STCW Code A-VIII and ICS Bridge Procedures Guide

Understand the use of bridge equipment, including echo sounder and Navtex

Knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot and operational procedures and change over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa

Maintain navigational records

Knows the circumstances under which the Master should be called to the bridge

Knows the principles for handing over and relieving the navigational watch – 30 –

4. International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs)

A thorough knowledge of the ColRegs including:

requirements for proceeding at a safe speed and keeping a lookout

recognises the lights and shapes, and fog signals for all classes of vessel

recognises the manoeuvring sound signals

recognises light signals

recognise a developing collision situation by compass, radar or visual reference

states the actions to be taken by day and night to avoid collision

describes the precautions to be taken when navigating in or near areas of restricted visibility; assess the likely likelihood of collision of vessel detected by radar alone and action to be taken to avoid a collision

describes the requirements for navigating in or near traffic separation schemes

describes the requirement for navigating in narrow channels Response to Emergencies, Operational Safety and Pollution

Control

5. Distress Signals and Communications

States the conditions under which distress signals may be used; understands the various types of distress signal, action to be taken on receipt and the obligations to render assistance

Understands the correct use of pyrotechnics, EPIRBS and SARTS including the appropriate circumstances for their use

Understands correct distress communications procedures including the terms Mayday, PanPan and Securité messages

Emergency communication with the GMDSS regulations

6. Manoeuvring the Vessel

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

Use and care of mooring lines and associated equipment

Helm orders, conning the ship, effects of propellers on the steering of the ship, effects of wind and current, stopping, going astern, and turning short round

Action in event of failure of bridge control, telegraph or steering gear, including emergency steering arrangements

Procedures for anchoring

Understand the precautions to be observed when using winches and windlass

Understand the precautions to be observed when mooring and un-mooring

7. Responses to Emergencies

Initial action following: man overboard, collision, grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, initial damage assessment and control, protection of the marine environment

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

Use and care of lifesaving appliances and equipment including, immersion suits and thermal protective aids, pyrotechnics and line throwing apparatus

Launching of liferafts and rescue boats; proper rigging of liferaft hydrostatic release units

Basic principles of survival

8. Pollution Prevention Requirements

Pollution prevention in port and at sea; measures to be taken to prevent pollution during bunkering

Action to be taken in response to pollution incidents in port and at sea

Basic understanding of garbage management, and disposal of garbage and oil residue

9. Seaworthiness of the Ship

Understand fundamentals of watertight integrity, and the closing of all openings including hatches, access hatches and watertight doors

Understands the difference between good stability and poor stability, and recognises the warnings signs of the latter

Describes the effect on stability of:

i. raising and lowering weights

ii. low freeboard

iii. obstruction of deck freeing arrangements and scuppers

iv. slack tanks

d) Preparations for heavy weather, ensuring and maintaining watertight integrity

10. Business and Law

Understand the content and application of the applicable Codes, namely ‘Small Vessels Code’1 and Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)2

A knowledge of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen3, the content and practical application

A knowledge of the requirements for musters and drills including fire, emergency, and abandon ship drills

Understand the legal obligation to ensure a seaworthy vessel

A basic understanding of the laws of salvage

Understand the requirements for safe manning, hours of work and watchkeeping

Understand the circumstances when a vessel requires a crew agreement