What should you do before entering heavy weather?

MCA Master 200t Preparation

Navigational Safety - 1 Plan and conduct a passage Including Chartwork and Position Determination

1 a) Passage planning with respect to use of navigational publications, including navigational charts, sailing directions, light lists, tide tables, radio and navigational warnings
1 b) IALA system of maritime buoyage A and B
1 c) Limitations and sources of error of electronic chart and navigation systems
1 d) Radar and ARPA – practical use of, modes of operation, limitations and sources of error, including basic radar plotting techniques
1 e) Understands the importance of regular checking of the vessel’s position and action to be taken if found off track
1 f) Applies variation and deviation to convert true course to compass course and vice versa; understands the basic causes of variation and deviation
1 i) Identifies transits and clearing marks from the chart in order to plan a safe approach to harbour or anchorage
1 j) States the meaning and explains the significance of chart symbols and abbreviations in common use
1 k) Knows how to obtain and use weekly notices to mariners in order to correct charts

Navigational Safety - 2 Meteorology

2 a) Knows the sources of meteorological information
2 b) Interprets weather forecasts including knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems
2 c) Ability to use and interpret information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments (1:52)

Navigational Safety - 3 Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch

3 a) 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
3 c) Knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot and operational procedures and change over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa
d) Maintain navigational records
3 e) Knows the circumstances under which the Master should be called to the bridge
3 f) Knows the principles for handing over and relieving the navigational watch

Navigational Safety - 4 International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs)

4 a) i) COLREGs requirements for proceeding at a safe speed and keeping a lookout (3:50)
4 a) ii) COLREGs - recognises the lights and shapes, and fog signals for all classes of vessel
4 a) iii) COLREGs - recognises the manoeuvring sound signals
4 a) iv) COLREGs - recognises light signals
4 a) v) COLREGs - recognise a developing collision situation by compass, radar or visual reference
4 a) vi) COLREGs - states the actions to be taken by day and night to avoid collision (3:31)
4 a) vii) COLREGs - describes the precautions to be taken when navigating in or near areas of restricted visibility
4 a) viii) COLREGs - describes the requirements for navigating in or near traffic separation schemes
4 a) ix) COLREGs - describes the requirement for navigating in narrow channels (3:53)

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 1 Distress Signals and Communications

1 a) 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
1 b) Understands the correct use of pyrotechnics, EPIRBS and SARTS including the appropriate circumstances for their use
1 c) Understands correct distress communications procedures including the terms Mayday, PanPan and Securité messages
1 d) Emergency communication with the GMDSS regulations

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 2 Manoeuvring the Vessel

2 a) 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
b) Use and care of mooring lines and associated equipment
2 c) 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 (9:14)
2 e) Procedures for anchoring
2 g) Understand the precautions to be observed when mooring and un-mooring

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 3 Responses to Emergencies

3 a) Initial action following: man overboard, collision, grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, initial damage assessment and control, protection of the marine environment
3 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
3 c) Use and care of lifesaving appliances and equipment including, immersion suits and thermal protective aids, pyrotechnics and line throwing apparatus
3 d) Launching of liferafts and rescue boats; proper rigging of liferaft hydrostatic release units
3 e) Basic principles of survival

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 4 Pollution Prevention Requirements

4 a) Pollution prevention in port and at sea; measures to be taken to prevent pollution during bunkering
4 b) Action to be taken in response to pollution incidents in port and at sea
4 c) Basic understanding of garbage management, and disposal of garbage and oil residue

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 5 Seaworthiness of the Ship

5 a) Understand fundamentals of watertight integrity, and the closing of all openings including hatches, access hatches and watertight doors
5 b) Understands the difference between good stability and poor stability, and recognises the warnings signs of the latter (6:23)

Emergencies, Ops Safety & Pollution - 6 Business and Law

6 a) Understand the content and application of the applicable Codes, namely ‘Small Vessels Commercial Code’1 and Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY3)2
6 b) A knowledge of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen3, the content and practical application
6 c) A knowledge of the requirements for musters and drills including fire, emergency, and abandon ship drills
6 d) Understand the legal obligation to ensure a seaworthy vessel
6 e) A basic understanding of the laws of salvage
6 f) Understand the requirements for safe manning, hours of work and watchkeeping

Example Questions

How to answer Buoyage set up question. (3:10)
What is LY3?
What is LSA. according to LY3
When should you "Call the Master"?
What should you do when entering restricted visibility?
What should you do before entering heavy weather?
What are the limitations and errors of radar?
Stability
What are the key points of passage planning?
What are the requirements for pilot boarding?
Collision situation - CBD on port side (not to impede) (3:31)
Recent exam questions - Dover - For all questions you are the Master of a Small Commercial Vessel

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