CAPT.

MALIK Q&A

SET-I
1. Passage planning as c/o from Australia to Vancouver?

Ans. While going from Australia to Vancouver, change of hemisphere so I will be facing
winter (ice) and frontal depression i.e. heavy weather also the vessel will be crossing
different Loadline zones.

1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Loadline zones, to ensure vessel will not exceed her loadlines at any stage of the voyage.

4. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

5. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

6. Need of maintenance required to be carried out during the voyage.

7. Ballast water exchange requirements for the next port of call.

8. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

9. Weather reports to be monitored.

10. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure the spurling pipe to be
covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

11. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

12. Also I would require take precautions for ice and prepare as required.

2. Precautions when navigating in ice as c/o?

Ans. Ice navigation- Firstly follow company SMS checklist.

Preparation for ice consists of 4 Step
1. Law
2. Information
3. Precautions
4. Ship Handling

1. Law
 Check whether your underwriters permit you.
 Check charter party term and condition check for Ice Clause in C/P.

2. Information

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

Ice information to be obtained from following resources

 Sailing Direction
 Weather Message Fax
 Ice Charts
 Warning from Other Ship.
 Internet
 Us Sailing Direction
 Monthly Ice Charts
 Mariner Hand Book
 Ocean Passage of World
 Routeing Charts
 Daily Bulletins By International Ice Patrol

3. Precautions
 All Possible Info
 Have Sufficient Trim
 Crew Warm Cloth
 Deck Water Line Drained
 Deck Machinery Running/Covered/Heating Started Before Using.
 Stab Calculation for Ice Accumulation
on Deck.
 Train Crew
 Keep Ballast In Recirculation.
 Spray anti-freezing mixture on deck and accommodation areas
 Keep sufficient equipments for removal of ice from deck.
 Keep Search lights ready forward.

4. Ship handling
 Thickness Of Ice Should Be Estimated Before Entering.
 Whether Vsl Can Safely Pass Through. No Attempt Should Be Made To Enter
a Region Of Thick Ice.
 Use Ice Breaker And Follow His Instruction.
 Never Stop M/E
 Enter In Slow Speed And Increase Power When Bow Made Contact To Maintain Hea
d Way.
 Follow Leads Of Other Vsl.
 Enter Ice Area At Right Angle.
 In Night Sufficient Lighting Arrangement, Do Not Enter In Darkness.

3. Sign of approaching ice in Juan de fuca strait?

Ans. Juan De Fuca is located on the pacific coast on the boundary of US and Canada. Ice
warning for this area is issued by government of Canada on their official website.

4. Master told u to check magnetic compass and report. What report will u make?

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

Ans. 1. Compare it with gyro compass and check the difference between the two.
2. Check the compass error.
3. Check the deviation and compare it with the Deviation card provided.

5. 4-5 situations of crossing, overtaking and head on with buoy on stbd side?

6. Situations in R.V?

7. What duties will u perform if master on bridge and take over the watch?

Ans. Master on Bridge will have the CON, I have to assist him
1. Plot positions at frequent interval.
2. Advise him the UKC.
3. Advise him of any navigational dangers.
4. Monitor the traffic in the vicinity and report to him.
5. Carry out all the reporting’s as required or marked on the chart.
6. Monitor the status of engines and carry out engine movements as required by
him.
7. Notify master immediately in case of failure of bridge equipment.
When taking over watch from master,
1. I will ensure that I will be able to control the vessel with regards to
manoeuvrability.
2. I will make sure I am aware of all the aspects of lookout i.e. situational
awareness.

8. Seasons of TRS in china sea, North Atlantic?

Ans. South China Sea- Throughout the year, worst time is from June to November.
North Atlantic- June to November.

9. Sign of approaching TRS?

Ans. 1. Swells travelling radially outwards

2. Falling Pressure

3. Visibility exceptional

4. Dark clouds on the horizon with thundering

5. Peculiar red copper colour of sky during evening

6. Cirrus clouds leading towards the centre

7. Increasing wind speed

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

8. Storm warnings

10. Action as c/o in grounding?

Ans. 1. Raise alarm, inform master and engine room

2. Stop engines, display aground light or shapes and change AIS status.
3. Take headcount and lead emergency squad and close all the watertight doors
to ensure watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Change the sea suction from low to high.
5. Swing out the boats and keep it ready in case if it is required to abandon the
vessel.
6. Check position and depth on the chart.
7. Check nature of seabed if soft then no time to be wasted and vessel to be
refloated as the vessel will sink further into seabed.
8. In case of oil pollution immediately inform nearest coastal state.
9. Take sounding of all the tanks and assess the damage, check the rate of ingress
of water and start pumping out water.
10. Calculate the stability of the vessel.
11. Advise master possibility of refloating by lightering.
12. Prepare for laying ground tackle, lower the anchor on anchor handling tug.
13. Prepare the vessel for refloating.

SET-II
1. Plan passage from manila to New York, action as mate?

Ans. We will be passing through North pacific, TRS can be expected near Manila all the bad
weather precautions also we would be transiting Panama Canal, anyone who has passed
PANAMA Canal please advise me of the preparations required for the transit.
Heavy Weather Precaution
1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Loadline zones, to ensure vessel will not exceed her loadlines at any stage of the voyage.

4. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

5. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

6. Need of maintenance required to be carried out during the voyage.

7. Ballast water exchange requirements for the next port of call.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

8. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

9. Weather reports to be monitored.

10. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure the spurling pipe to be
covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

11. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

12. Also I would require take precautions for ice and prepare as required.

2. One ror situation own vsl CBD in a channel, PD vsl on stbd side, Action. I messed up
this so no more situations in ROR. No cards asked.

Ans. PDV

Tgt

CBD

Own Vessel

1. Take series of consecutive bearings determine if ROC exists.

2.If ROC exists, as per rule 18(d) (i) and 8(f)(i) the PDV should have taken action
well in advance. But since she is already too close and ROC exists, own vessel which
is proceeding as per Rule 18(d) (ii) and clarification no.7 should take action in
accordance to 8(f) (iii), in this case my action would be to reduce speed and let the
other vessel pass ahead as altering course is not an option as my vessel is CBD.

3. TRS- approaching signs?

Ans. 1. Swells travelling radially outwards

2. Falling Pressure

3. Visibility exceptional

4. Dark clouds on the horizon with thundering

5. Peculiar red copper colour of sky during evening

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

6. Cirrus clouds leading towards the centre

7. Increasing wind speed

8. Storm warnings

4. Master is ashore, u r on anchor, port control tell u wind is picking up so heave up ur

anchor and proceed to sea. Action?

Ans. 1. I will try to contact master directly or through local agent.

2. Inform the company of the situation.

3. Inform port control of the situation, if they still insist on picking up anchor; assume
the responsibility of the vessel.

4. I will instruct 2/O to go forward and 3/O to be on the bridge and give notice to engine
room.

5. I will instruct 2/O to put the anchor in gear, once the engines are ready commence
heaving up.

6. I will continuously obtain status of anchor chain how is it heading and ask him to let
me know when the anchor is up and down and the time when the anchor is sighted clear
of water.

7. Once the anchor is aweigh 3/O will switch on navigational lights and change AIS
status and manoeuvre the vessel out of the anchorage area.

5. Weather Routeing- how will you use the information, types?

Ans. Weather routing is based on the predicted weather in the area, and prognosis chart
provides exactly that. So prognosis chart i.e. predicted weather is used to calculate ship’s
route considering the prevailing weather expected in the region.

SET-III
1. As a chief officer Plan a passage from Rotterdam to New York in December?

Ans. During this passage we can expect bad weather due to frontal depressions, ice, and
fog. So all the precautions for bad weather and fog as well as for ice to be carried out, but
firstly the weather reports to be referred for the voyage.
Heavy Weather Precaution
1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Loadline zones, to ensure vessel will not exceed her loadlines at any stage of the voyage.

4. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

5. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

6. Need of maintenance required to be carried out during the voyage.

7. Ballast water exchange requirements for the next port of call.

8. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

9. Weather reports to be monitored.

10. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure the spurling pipe to be
covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

11. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

12. Also I would require take precautions for ice and prepare as required.

Preparation for Restricted Visibility,

1. Check the whistle is working properly; the deck air supply for whistle should be in
good condition.

2. The watch arrangements for extra lookouts to be prepared.

3. Rest hours for the crew keeping a watch on bridge to be taken care of.

4. Window wipers and clear view screen to be checked working properly or not.

Ice navigation- Firstly follow company SMS checklist.

Preparation for ice consists of 4 Step
1. Law
2. Information
3. Precautions
4. Ship Handling

1. Law
 Check whether your underwriters permit you.
 Check charter party term and condition check for Ice Clause in C/P.

2. Information
Ice information to be obtained from following resources
 Sailing Direction
 Weather Message Fax

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

 Ice Charts
 Warning from Other Ship.
 Internet
 Us Sailing Direction
 Monthly Ice Charts
 Mariner Hand Book
 Ocean Passage of World
 Routeing Charts
 Daily Bulletins By International Ice Patrol

3. Precautions
 All Possible Info
 Have Sufficient Trim
 Crew Warm Cloth
 Deck Water Line Drained
 Deck Machinery Running/Covered/Heating Started Before Using.
 Stab Calculation for Ice Accumulation
on Deck.
 Train Crew
 Keep Ballast In Recirculation.
 Spray anti-freezing mixture on deck and accommodation areas
 Keep sufficient equipments for removal of ice from deck.
 Keep Search lights ready forward.

4. Ship handling
 Thickness Of Ice Should Be Estimated Before Entering.
 Whether Vsl Can Safely Pass Through. No Attempt Should Be Made To Enter
a Region Of Thick Ice.
 Use Ice Breaker And Follow His Instruction.
 Never Stop M/E
 Enter In Slow Speed And Increase Power When Bow Made Contact To Maintain Hea
d Way.
 Follow Leads Of Other Vsl.
 Enter Ice Area At Right Angle.
 In Night Sufficient Lighting Arrangement, Do Not Enter In Darkness.

2. Currents in North Atlantic Ocean. Name few of them?

Ans. North Atlantic- Clockwise circulation- canary current, Portuguese current, north
equatorial current, Caribbean current, gulf stream, Norwegian current, west Greenland
current and North Atlantic current.
Anticlockwise Circulation- Labrador current and east Greenland current.

3. How to get Ice limits, Season of ice limits?

Ans. From routing charts, 15th Feb to 01st July every year.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

4. What do u understand by Ship’s routing?

Ans. Ship routing is art of planning the ship’s route considering various factors such as
Distance, Ocean Currents, waves, Ice, Fog etc. For purpose of safety of life at sea,
environmental protection and making the voyage more economical. Two types of Ship
routing Climatological and Weather Routing.

5. How will u check that the Gyro is working correctly if u are a C/O on a yard delivery
Ship?

Ans. Check the gyro error by Jetty bearing, and the error will be constituted only by
damping error, the damping error should not be more than +/- 0.75°Sec Lat.

6. Simple ROR situations, no cards?

7. What is safe speed?

Ans. A speed at which vessel can stop or take proper and effective action to avoid
navigational dangers and collision.

8. The fog signal of Pilot vessel and can it sound one prolonged blast.

Ans. It shall sound one prolonged blast every two minutes when making way, two
prolonged blast when underway but stopped every two minutes with 2 second interval
between them, at anchor 5 seconds of ringing bell and if more than 100 m in length then
5 seconds rapid ringing of gong in after part at every 1 minute and in addition 4 rapid
short blasts.

9. How to get the direction of centre of TRS?

Ans. Use buys ballots law, face the true wind the area of low pressure will be on your right
in NH and left in SH, 8-12 points, 12 points if pressure has fallen 5 mb below normal and 8
points if pressure has fallen 20 mb below normal as TRS is in the vicinity.

10. Your vessel has collided and you are in the cabin, action as a mate?

Ans. 1. Alarm would have been raised already, so I would proceed to muster station with
maximum warm clothing and life jacket and immersion suit, considering the possibility of
abandoning ship.
2. Take headcount and report to command station.
3. Take charge of emergency squad, and instruct support squad to prepare both the
lifeboats meanwhile.
4. Close all the watertight doors to maintain watertight integrity of the ship.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

5. Assess the damage which has taken place and calculate the rate of ingress of water
as per the formula 3 A √d and start pumping out any water ingress, notify the
command team of the situation.
6. If there are any casualties evacuate them.
7. Calculate the stability of the vessel inform master.
8. Meanwhile master would have coordinated with the other vessel, if required they
are to be provided help.
9. Check for any pollution or leak in case of leakage notify command team
immediately.

SET-IV
1. What precautions will you take prior departure , if you are
expecting heavy?

Ans. 1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

4. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

5. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

6. Weather reports to be monitored.

7. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure, the spurling pipe to be

covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

8. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

9. Extra lashing for anchors.

10. Prepare heavy weather ballast hold for taking ballast and take ballast.

2. And when can you take ballast while loaded (counter question for hvy wx) Gm of a
Bulk carrier, how to lash anchors?

Ans. Ballast is taken in hold when during ballast passage heavy weather is expected during
the voyage. GM of a bulk carrier varies from 3 m when loaded to 9 m when in ballast in case
of heavy weather ballast it’s about 5-7 m.
Lashing anchor
1. Take it right up and apply brake.
2. Put bow stopper in place.
3. Take additional wire lashing.
4. Put devil claws.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

5. Cover the spurling pipe with cement box and canvas.

3. Plan a passage from Europe to America in November?

Ans. During this passage we can expect bad weather due to frontal depressions, ice, and
fog. So all the precautions for bad weather and fog as well as for ice to be carried out, but
firstly the weather reports to be referred for the voyage.
Heavy Weather Precaution
1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Loadline zones, to ensure vessel will not exceed her loadlines at any stage of the voyage.

4. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

5. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

6. Need of maintenance required to be carried out during the voyage.

7. Ballast water exchange requirements for the next port of call.

8. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

9. Weather reports to be monitored.

10. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure the spurling pipe to be
covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

11. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

12. Also I would require take precautions for ice and prepare as required.

Preparation for Restricted Visibility,

1. Check the whistle is working properly, the deck air supply for whistle should be in
good condition.

2. The watch arrangements for extra lookouts to be prepared.

3. Rest hours for the crew keeping a watch on bridge to be taken care of.

4. Window wipers and clear view screen to be checked working properly or not.

Ice navigation- Firstly follow company SMS checklist.

Preparation for ice consists of 4 Step
1. Law
2. Information
3. Precautions

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

4. Ship Handling

1. Law
 Check whether your underwriters permit you.
 Check charter party term and condition check for Ice Clause in C/P.

2. Information
Ice information to be obtained from following resources
 Sailing Direction
 Weather Message Fax
 Ice Charts
 Warning from Other Ship.
 Internet
 Us Sailing Direction
 Monthly Ice Charts
 Mariner Hand Book
 Ocean Passage of World
 Routeing Charts
 Daily Bulletins By International Ice Patrol

3. Precautions
 All Possible Info
 Have Sufficient Trim
 Crew Warm Cloth
 Deck Water Line Drained
 Deck Machinery Running/Covered/Heating Started Before Using.
 Stab Calculation for Ice Accumulation
on Deck.
 Train Crew
 Keep Ballast In Recirculation.
 Spray anti-freezing mixture on deck and accommodation areas
 Keep sufficient equipments for removal of ice from deck.
 Keep Search lights ready forward.

4. Ship handling
 Thickness Of Ice Should Be Estimated Before Entering.
 Whether Vsl Can Safely Pass Through. No Attempt Should Be Made To Enter
a Region Of Thick Ice.
 Use Ice Breaker And Follow His Instruction.
 Never Stop M/E
 Enter In Slow Speed And Increase Power When Bow Made Contact To Maintain Hea
d Way.
 Follow Leads Of Other Vsl.
 Enter Ice Area At Right Angle.
 In Night Sufficient Lighting Arrangement, Do Not Enter In Darkness.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

4. What all current wind direction and swell will be expected in above passage? How
does depression moves in North Atlantic?

Ans. North Atlantic- Clockwise circulation- canary current, Portuguese current, north
equatorial current, Caribbean current, gulf stream, Norwegian current, west Greenland
current and North Atlantic current.
Anticlockwise Circulation- Labrador current and east Greenland current.

Easterly wind and swells can be expected. The frontal depression will move west to east
and the wind will change its direction by 180° upon its passage.

5. Master informed, there is a collision and u were in your cabin action?

Ans. 1. Alarm would have been raised already, so I would proceed to muster station with
maximum warm clothing and life jacket and immersion suit, considering the possibility of
abandoning ship.
1. Take headcount and report to command station.
2. Take charge of emergency squad, and instruct support squad to prepare both the
lifeboats meanwhile.
3. Close all the watertight doors to maintain watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Assess the damage which has taken place and calculate the rate of ingress of water
as per the formula 3 A √d and start pumping out any water ingress, notify the
command team of the situation.
5. If there are any casualties evacuate them.
6. Calculate the stability of the vessel inform master.
7. Meanwhile master would have coordinated with the other vessel, if required they
are to be provided help.
8. Check for any pollution or leak in case of leakage notify command team
immediately.

6. Explain drop in pressure to confirm TRS?

Ans. If the pressure has dropped more than 3 mb below normal after applying for semi
diurnal correction for that time of the day, height correction and index error TRS is
suspected and if it has fallen 5 mb below normal its presence is confirmed. A pressure
drop of more than 20 mb is sufficient to form a TRS.
Use buys ballots law, face the true wind the area of low pressure will be on your right in
NH and left in SH, 8-12 points, 12 points if pressure has fallen 5 mb below normal and 8
points if pressure has fallen 20 mb below normal as TRS is in the vicinity.

7. What is squat and formula?

Ans. Squat is the bodily sinkage of the vessel when moving through water.
Maximum Squat= Cb X V2 X S0.81/ 20.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

8. How do you know anchor is dragging in fwd stn?

Ans. Anchor will be coming to short stay and long stay too quickly and the anchor chain
will be making noise.

9. Colregs: situations- CBD overtaking from stbd quarter?

Ans. As per 8 (f) (i) I will take action before ROC develops i.e. Alteration to port and pass
stern of the other vessel.

10. Pd vsl crossing cbd in English Channel stbd to port, you are CBD whose duty and
action? Action in case of R.V?

Ans. In case of clear visibility, PDV vessel must take action before ROC exists as per 8 (f)
(i) and 18 (d) (i). In case ROC exists it’s responsibility of both the vessels to keep clear, 18
(d) (i) is still applicable for PDV along with 8 (f) (ii) and CBD vessel must keep clear as per 18
(d) (ii) and 8 (f) (iii). On CBD I will reduce speed and let the other vessel pass ahead of me.
In R.V there is no stand on, and alteration of course is not an option for me so I will again
reduce speed in case ROC exists and let her pass ahead.

11. Hear a fog signal fwd of beam action?

Ans. Go as per 19 (e)

1. Post extra lookout forward monitor the intensity of fog signal
2. If fog signal intensity increasing ROC exists
3. Reduce speed to minimum to keep the ship on course or take all way off by stopping
or reversing the engine and navigate with extreme caution and alertness.

SET-IV
1. Vsl about to leave port and expected heavy weather during voyage. Plan your passag
e. (Pls do not forget aboutrest hours of crew and bridge watch keeping levels. He als
o wants to hear taking extra ballast)

Ans. 1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

4. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

5. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

6. Weather reports to be monitored.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

7. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure, the spurling pipe to be

covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

8. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

9. Extra lashing for anchors.

10. Prepare heavy weather ballast hold for taking ballast and take ballast.

2. Weather associated with TRS and what action will you take?

Ans. Weather
1. Atmospheric pressure will be dropping below normal.
2. The wind speed will be increasing, blowing spirally inwards in clockwise direction in SH
and in anticlockwise direction in NH. Wind will always be veering in RHSC and backing
in LHSC in both the hemispheres.
3. The temperature does not vary too much because of only one air mass involved.
4. Cirrus clouds are leading to the centre with altostratus and nimbostratus into the
cumulonimbus cloud at the eye wall.
5. Visibility is exceptional except in case of rain.
6. The strong winds can build up to 20 m high waves. Since the TRS moves slow it acts
over the same area for a long period of time building up current up to 25 m deep.
These strong currents when reach shallow waters near the coast the water suddenly
rises well above the usual level and floods the coast this sudden rise in water level is
known as storm surges.
3. In a sequential manner describe the type of clouds that are expected from outer
fringes to the eye of a TRS?

Ans. Cirrus clouds are leading to the centre with altostratus and nimbostratus into the
cumulonimbus cloud at the eye wall.

4. What are storm surges?

Ans. The strong winds can build up to 20 m high waves. Since the TRS moves slow it acts
over the same area for a long period of time building up current up to 25 m deep. These
strong currents when reach shallow waters near the coast the water suddenly rises well
above the usual level and floods the coast this sudden rise in water level is known as storm
surges.

5. Season of TRS in China Sea?

Ans. Throughout the year worst June to November.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

6. Difference b/w frontal depression and TRS. If you are trading in china sea not

during the season of TRS,would you say that you cannot expect TRS?

Ans.
Sl.No TRS TLD
1. It forms between 5°-20° N/S latitude It forms between 23.5°-60° N/S latitude
2. It moves East to West It moves West to East
3. It forms in areas of constant winds It forms in areas of differing winds
4. Wind speed is up to 150 knots Wind speed reaches max up to 55 knots
5. Wind speed decreases with height Wind speed increases with height
6. Isobars form perfectly closed circlesIsobars are irregular
7. It involves only a single air masses It involves two air masses
8. Temperature is generally constant Temperature is variable due to diff air
masses involved
9. Energy is obtained by latent heat Energy is obtained by the frontal lifting
evolved due to condensation of air
10. Dia is 50-800 NM Dia is 1000-2000 NM
In South China Sea we can never say that we cannot expect TRS as it can be
experience throughout the year.

7. What is the importance of occlusion to a mariner?

Ans. Occlusion is first stage of frontolysis, so it indicates that the bad weather will die
down, weather associated with occlusion is same as fronts but milder.

8. Direction of current off the coast of Japan. What type of Fog is expected around that

Region?

Ans. Oyashio (anticlockwise) and Kuroshio (clockwise) meet off the coast of Japan.
Advection fog can be expected in this area because of these two currents meeting.

9. Beyond which latitude conventional gyro not suitable for sailing?

Ans. The gyro should be able to work in all navigable waters of the world. The
performance standards lays down the requirement for the gyro error and settling time for
up to 60° latitude above which the errors will become too high. But it can be used up to
75° latitude after which the errors will become exceptionally high.

10. Master ashore, vsl dragging anchor. Action?

Ans. 1. Call for anchor station, send 2/O forward and assume command for the
bridge and inform engine room.
2. Inform all the vessels in the vicinity and VTS.
3. Hoist flag ‘Y’ and display NUC signal and change AIS status.
4. Pay out the anchor more, if still dragging then drop second anchor.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

5. When engines are available use engines to stop the movement of the vessel and
reanchor.

11. Vessel collided. Action? Draw the diagram of collision matt?

Ans. Actions to be taken in case of collision.

1. Raise alarm take headcount and report to command station.
2. Take charge of emergency squad, and instruct support squad to prepare both the
lifeboats meanwhile.
3. Close all the watertight doors to maintain watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Assess the damage which has taken place and calculate the rate of ingress of water
as per the formula 3 A √d and start pumping out any water ingress, notify the
command team of the situation.
5. If there are any casualties evacuate them.
6. Calculate the stability of the vessel inform master.
7. Meanwhile master would have coordinated with the other vessel, if required they
are to be provided help.
8. Check for any pollution or leak in case of leakage notify command team
immediately.

12. What do you understand by crisis management?

Ans. Crisis management means ability to handle emergency situations onboard, on

passenger ships all the top 4 officers are required to undergo Crisis management
course, it contains training related to analyzing emergency and planning action, leading

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

and directing others, capability to manage stress on self and on others and ability to
assess the response by various people.

13. No cards just 4 simple ROR situations.

14. Define safe speed as per rule 19 and 6.

SET-V
1. Prepare for voyage as a chief officer.

Ans. 1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Weather expected during the voyage, to make sufficient allowance for the stability.

3. Loadline zones, to ensure vessel will not exceed her loadlines at any stage of the voyage.

4. Security arrangements required for the voyage.

5. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

6. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

7. Need of maintenance required to be carried out during the voyage.

8. Ballast water exchange requirements for the next port of call.

9. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

10. Preparation required for any inspections at next port

11. Ballast tank or other inspections required to be carried out.

2. Various emergencies like collision, grounding.

Ans. Actions to be taken in case of collision.

1. Raise alarm take headcount and report to command station.
2. Take charge of emergency squad, and instruct support squad to prepare both the
lifeboats meanwhile.
3. Close all the watertight doors to maintain watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Assess the damage which has taken place and calculate the rate of ingress of water
as per the formula 3 A √d and start pumping out any water ingress, notify the
command team of the situation.
5. If there are any casualties evacuate them.
6. Calculate the stability of the vessel inform master.
7. Meanwhile master would have coordinated with the other vessel, if required they
are to be provided help.
8. Check for any pollution or leak in case of leakage notify command team
immediately.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

Action in case of grounding.

1. Raise alarm, inform master and engine room
2. Stop engines, display aground light or shapes and change AIS status.
3. Take headcount and lead emergency squad and close all the watertight doors
to ensure watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Change the sea suction from low to high.
5. Swing out the boats and keep it ready in case if it is required to abandon the
vessel.
6. Check position and depth on the chart.
7. Check nature of seabed if soft then no time to be wasted and vessel to be
refloated as the vessel will sink further into seabed.
8. In case of oil pollution immediately inform nearest coastal state.
9. Take sounding of all the tanks and assess the damage, check the rate of ingress
of water and start pumping out water.
10. Calculate the stability of the vessel.
11. Advise master possibility of refloating by lightering.
12. Prepare for laying ground tackle, lower the anchor on anchor handling tug.
13. Prepare the vessel for refloating.

3. Various ROR situations.

4. What is safe speed and risk of collision.

Ans. A speed at which vessel can stop or take proper and effective action to avoid
navigational dangers and collision.
Any situation which could lead to collision is a risk of collision, ROC is not quantified
anywhere but when coming to conclusion on ROC both CPA and TCPA should be taken into
account.

5. TRS in full.

6. Which period China Sea suffers from TRS?

Ans. TRS can be suspected throughout the year and the worst being June to November.

7. Various current.

Ans. Drift Current- Caused due to movement of wind over a given area for a long period
of time. Ex: North Equatorial Current, South Equatorial Current, North Atlantic Current,
South Atlantic Current.

Upwelling Current- Caused when a wind blows over a long coast line for a
long period of time, it causes the top layer to be displaced by the bottom layers of the
sea. Ex: Canary Current along the NW African coast, Benguela Current along SW African
coast, Californian current, Peru Current.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

Gradient Current- A gradient is formed due to differing density or

temperature, the water body which is higher in density will be at a lower level and the
current will flow from a higher level to lower level. Ex: Current in the Mediterranean Sea
which remains land locked and due to evaporation it is at a lower level than the Atlantic
and hence a gradient is formed which flows through the Strait of Gibraltar into
Mediterranean Sea.

SET-VI
1) Great Lakes trading? Precaution as a Chief Officer?

Ans. Ice will be the biggest issue while trading in Great lakes.
Ice navigation- Firstly follow company SMS checklist.
Preparation for ice consists of 4 Step
1. Law
2. Information
3. Precautions
4. Ship Handling

1. Law
 Check whether your underwriters permit you.
 Check charter party term and condition check for Ice Clause in C/P.

2. Information
Ice information to be obtained from following resources
 Sailing Direction
 Weather Message Fax
 Ice Charts
 Warning from Other Ship.
 Internet
 Us Sailing Direction
 Monthly Ice Charts
 Mariner Hand Book
 Ocean Passage of World
 Routeing Charts
 Daily Bulletins By International Ice Patrol

3. Precautions
 All Possible Info
 Have Sufficient Trim
 Crew Warm Cloth
 Deck Water Line Drained
 Deck Machinery Running/Covered/Heating Started Before Using.
 Stab Calculation for Ice Accumulation
on Deck.
 Train Crew

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

 Keep Ballast In Recirculation.

 Spray anti-freezing mixture on deck and accommodation areas
 Keep sufficient equipments for removal of ice from deck.
 Keep Search lights ready forward.

4. Ship handling
 Thickness Of Ice Should Be Estimated Before Entering.
 Whether Vsl Can Safely Pass Through. No Attempt Should Be Made To Enter
a Region Of Thick Ice.
 Use Ice Breaker And Follow His Instruction.
 Never Stop M/E
 Enter In Slow Speed And Increase Power When Bow Made Contact To Maintain Hea
d Way.
 Follow Leads Of Other Vsl.
 Enter Ice Area At Right Angle.
 In Night Sufficient Lighting Arrangement, Do Not Enter In Darkness.

2) Ice limits?

Ans. Ice limits are,

1. Off the coast of Newfoundland, the easterly limit is 40° W and the southerly limit is
40°N.
2. In north pacific, a line drawn from the NE tip of Japan, passing north of Aleutian Islands
to approximately 60° N 160° W.
3. In southern hemisphere, roughly the parallel of 50° S, except in longitude 20° W, where
it is about 40° S.

3) North Atlantic Ocean which month’s ice encountered?

Ans. Ice is encountered from 15th Feb to 01st July. No ice is expected from August to end
January.

4) Situations. No cards and ROR.

5) TRS

6) Weather associated with cold front?

Ans. Weather associated with cold front, Pressure- Sudden increase, Wind Speed- Squalls,
Wind Direction- Veers by 90°, Temperature- Quick Fall, Clouds- Low base Cumulonimbus
Cloud, Weather- Heavy rain and thundering, Visibility- Poor.

7) Checks to be made on Gyro?

Ans. 1. Gyro error to be frequently checked.

2. Speed and latitude input to be checked for Gyro.
3. The current supply for gyro should be checked.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

4. Temperature of gyro to be checked, a temperature of 60° and above can lead to cut off.
5. Heading on gyro repeaters to be aligned.

8) CSL error?

Ans. Speed and course error- The gyro north is shifted from actual north due to this error,
actually the gyro settles on the resultant of ship course & speed and earth speed.

Tan C= (v Cos Course) / (902 Cos lat- v Sin Course).

9) Current along coast of Japan?

Ans. Oyashio (anticlockwise) and Kuroshio (clockwise) meet off the coast of Japan.
Advection fog can be expected in this area because of these two currents meeting.

10) Ur vessel is grounded? Action as a Chief Officer?

Ans. Action in case of grounding.

1. Raise alarm, inform master and engine room
2. Stop engines, display aground light or shapes and change AIS status.
3. Take headcount and lead emergency squad and close all the watertight doors
to ensure watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Change the sea suction from low to high.
5. Swing out the boats and keep it ready in case if it is required to abandon the
vessel.
6. Check position and depth on the chart.
7. Check nature of seabed if soft then no time to be wasted and vessel to be
refloated as the vessel will sink further into seabed.
8. In case of oil pollution immediately inform nearest coastal state.
9. Take sounding of all the tanks and assess the damage, check the rate of ingress
of water and start pumping out water.
10. Calculate the stability of the vessel.
11. Advise master possibility of refloating by lightering.
12. Prepare for laying ground tackle, lower the anchor on anchor handling tug.
13. Prepare the vessel for refloating.

11) Heavy Weather encountered? Actions? Precautions?

Ans. Areas of heavy weather should have been avoided earlier, but now when
encountering it
1. Alter course so as to take the swells or waves head on.
2. Press up the tanks to ensure there is no FSC.
3. Ensure there is not too much rolling so as to cause cargo to break loose.
4. Vessel to be on hand steering at all times.
5. Monitor weather reports.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

6. No person to go on deck without informing bridge.

7. Everything inside accommodation to be secured.

Precautions for heavy weather

1. Seaworthiness of the vessel i.e. condition of the hull and the deck equipments.

2. Due allowance for the stability.

3. Watchkeeping arrangements required for the voyage.

4. Resthours for the crew to be maintained.

5. Nature of cargo and the need of cargo conditioning.

6. Weather reports to be monitored.

7. Everything on deck and in accommodation to be lashed or secure the spurling pipe to be

covered with cement to avoid ingress of water.

8. All the openings from where water can enter should be closed and scupper plugs left
open.

9. Extra lashing for anchors.

10. Prepare heavy weather ballast hold for taking ballast and take ballast.

SET-VII
1. Passage planning as c/o in Great lakes?

Ans. Ice will be the biggest issue while trading in Great lakes.
Ice navigation- Firstly follow company SMS checklist.
Preparation for ice consists of 4 Step
1. Law
2. Information
3. Precautions
4. Ship Handling

1. Law
 Check whether your underwriters permit you.
 Check charter party term and condition check for Ice Clause in C/P.

2. Information
Ice information to be obtained from following resources
 Sailing Direction

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

 Weather Message Fax

 Ice Charts
 Warning from Other Ship.
 Internet
 Us Sailing Direction
 Monthly Ice Charts
 Mariner Hand Book
 Ocean Passage of World
 Routeing Charts
 Daily Bulletins By International Ice Patrol

3. Precautions
 All Possible Info
 Have Sufficient Trim
 Crew Warm Cloth
 Deck Water Line Drained
 Deck Machinery Running/Covered/Heating Started Before Using.
 Stab Calculation for Ice Accumulation
on Deck.
 Train Crew
 Keep Ballast In Recirculation.
 Spray anti-freezing mixture on deck and accommodation areas
 Keep sufficient equipments for removal of ice from deck.
 Keep Search lights ready forward.

4. Ship handling
 Thickness Of Ice Should Be Estimated Before Entering.
 Whether Vsl Can Safely Pass Through. No Attempt Should Be Made To Enter
a Region Of Thick Ice.
 Use Ice Breaker And Follow His Instruction.
 Never Stop M/E
 Enter In Slow Speed And Increase Power When Bow Made Contact To Maintain Hea
d Way.
 Follow Leads Of Other Vsl.
 Enter Ice Area At Right Angle.
 In Night Sufficient Lighting Arrangement, Do Not Enter In Darkness.

2. Season of ice in North Atlantic?

Ans. Ice is encountered from 15th Feb to 01st July. No ice is expected from August to end
January.

3. 5 situations of crossing, with buoy on stbd side, Overtaking and crossing between RA
M and CBD.

4. About 5 ROR cards of RAM, Trawler, mine clearance and Pilot Vessel.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha

CAPT. MALIK Q&A

5. How u determine Risk of collision?

Ans. Any situation which could lead to collision is a risk of collision, ROC is not quantified
anywhere but when coming to conclusion on ROC both CPA and TCPA should be taken into
account. It depends on the judgement of person to person for me a CPA of less than 0.5
cables and TCPA less than 15 min is risk of collision, having said this I will take action
according to the Master’s standing orders i.e. the CPA as stated in his standing orders, I will
always maintain this CPA.

6. Movement of Tropical depression in North Atlantic?

Ans. West to East.

7. Action as c/o in grounding.

Ans. Action in case of grounding.

1. Raise alarm, inform master and engine room
2. Stop engines, display aground light or shapes and change AIS status.
3. Take headcount and lead emergency squad and close all the watertight doors
to ensure watertight integrity of the ship.
4. Change the sea suction from low to high.
5. Swing out the boats and keep it ready in case if it is required to abandon the
vessel.
6. Check position and depth on the chart.
7. Check nature of seabed if soft then no time to be wasted and vessel to be
refloated as the vessel will sink further into seabed.
8. In case of oil pollution immediately inform nearest coastal state.
9. Take sounding of all the tanks and assess the damage, check the rate of ingress
of water and start pumping out water.
10. Calculate the stability of the vessel.
11. Advise master possibility of refloating by lightering.
12. Prepare for laying ground tackle, lower the anchor on anchor handling tug.
13. Prepare the vessel for refloating.

8. Sound signals of pilot vessel?

Ans. It shall sound one prolonged blast every two minutes when making way, two
prolonged blast when underway but stopped every two minutes with 2 second interval
between them, at anchor 5 seconds of ringing bell and if more than 100 m in length then 5
seconds rapid ringing of gong in after part at every 1 minute and in addition 4 rapid short
blasts.

Prepared By- Abhishek Jha