Guidance

Master (yachts less than 500 GT) Oral Examination Syllabus

Published 26 January 2023

1. Navigation

1.1 Plan and conduct safe navigation

1. Demonstrate an ability to undertake voyage planning, taking into consideration:
   1. restricted waters;
   2. meteorological conditions through interpretation of synoptic charts, and to forecast local area weather, and the characteristics of various weather systems;
   3. restricted visibility;
   4. reporting in accordance with ship reporting systems;
   5. limitations of electronic chart systems including ECDIS and RDS navigational chart systems;
   6. port radio information services: knowledge of the type of service available to aid vessels entering ports, berthing, VTIS and VTS systems as indicated in the Admiralty List of Radio Signals – Vessel Traffic Services, Port Operations and Pilot Stations;
   7. maritime buoyage systems – IALA region A and B.

1.2 Establish and maintain safe watchkeeping arrangements and procedures

1. A thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watchkeeping at sea, including under pilotage, at anchor and in port.
2. A thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs).
3. Knowledge of principles of establishing a safe engineering watch at sea, anchor and in port.

1.3 Compasses

1. Compasses commonly fitted onboard the ship concerned – variation and deviation, causes and effects, siting of other equipment with reference to magnetic compasses.
2. Knowledge of the purpose of correctors/corrections.

1.4 Ship Manoeuvring and Operation of Small Ship Power Plant

1. Anchoring and working anchors and cables in all circumstances.
2. Proper procedures for berthing and unberthing.
3. Knowledge of factors affecting safe manoeuvring and handling.
4. Knowledge of the operation of small ship power plant and auxiliaries.

2. Response to Emergencies

2.1 Response to Navigational Emergency

1. Action to be taken when disabled and in distress, abandoning ship, survival procedures, use of rockets and rocket apparatus.
2. Measures to be taken following collision, grounding, heavy weather damage and ingress of water.
3. Towing and being towed.
4. Knowledge of emergency steering systems.
5. Knowledge of search and rescue procedures, assisting a ship or aircraft in distress, rescuing the passengers and crew of a disabled ship or ditched aircraft.
6. Use of the International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual (Volume III), distress and emergency signals.
7. Emergency communications within the GMDSS Regulations.

2.2 Response to Other Emergencies

1. Method of dealing with fire aboard a vessel; prevention of fire in port and at sea.
2. Use and maintenance of firefighting equipment, fire dampers, doors and screens, and detection equipment.
3. Organisation and direction of fire-fighting drills and training.
4. Launch and manage survival craft, recover rescue boats at sea.
5. The organisation and direction of lifeboat and liferaft drills and training.
6. Understand the fundamental actions to be taken in the event of partial loss of intact buoyancy.
7. Precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergencies.
8. Appreciation of action to be taken when emergencies arise in port.
9. Sources of medical information available.

3. Onboard Ship Operation

3.1 Pollution Prevention Requirements

1. Precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment as required by the MARPOL Conventions, including special areas.
2. Take appropriate action in response to pollution incidents onboard and found at sea.
3. Knowledge of the contents of the SOPEP manual, Garbage Management Plans and anti-pollution equipment.
4. Masters duties, obligations and liabilities, including the keeping of records.

3.2 Seaworthiness of the Ship

1. Precautions to be taken prior to the onset of heavy weather, management of small ships in heavy weather, and handling a disabled ship.
2. Understand the fundamentals of watertight integrity.
3. Preparation for dry-docking and undocking, with or without damage – general procedure and precautions to be observed.
4. Working knowledge of stability and trim information.

4. Legislative Requirements

4.1  Knowledge of the Following Legislative Requirements:

1. Contents and use of Merchant Shipping Notices (MSNs), Marine Guidance Notes (MGNs), Marine Information Notes (MINs) and Annual Summary of Admiralty Notices to Mariners.
2. Knowledge of the application of current Merchant Shipping Health and Safety legislation, including the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen^{[footnote 1]}, and the main elements of risk assessment.
3. Knowledge of relevant IMO conventions concerning safety of life at sea and protection of the marine environment.
4. Crew agreement, the official log book and laws relating to entries, inspection of living quarters and storerooms, and complaints procedures.
5. Reports required by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
6. Load-line marks – entries and reports in respect of freeboard, draft and allowances.
7. The requirements of regulations concerning life-saving and fire fighting appliances.
8. Application of hours of work and rest legislation.
9. The law relating to the reporting of dangers to navigation.
10. A knowledge of the Master’s obligations with respect to pilotage.
11. Purpose and application of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
12. Purpose of Flag State and Port State Control.
13. Purpose and application of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS).

1. SI 1998/1838 The Merchant Shipping (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regulations 1998 or any subsequent amendment. ↩