3) What are my duties as a 3rd Mate?

a. Gave him the works, with the Wikipedia answer. (Masters Rep, Safety of
Navigation, etc etc., made sure to mention I may have special duties, and I would
check the SMS for guidance if so)
4) I have a new first trip cadet under my wing, and we are going forward for mooring.
What duties would you give him?
a. Sensed a trick a mile away here, so decided to play it safe and said I would have
him on the mooring deck to observe only as it was his first trip. Gave him all the good
stuff about snap-back zones, PPE, risk assessment, observing from a height, etc.
5) Because I had mentioned risk assessment, he then asked me what was risk
assessment?
a. Mentioned COSWP Chapter 1, Hazards, Harm, Dynamic and Formal risk
assessments.
6) He brought out a chart, and I got about 6 chart interpretation questions.
a. Chart 5011 is your friend.
7) What is WGS 84? Is this the only Datum in use?
a. WGS 84 is the World Geodetic System 1984. It is the usual Datum used by GPS
units. And no it isnt, some old charts use different Datums, gave the spiel about
looking for the Sat Nav magenta adjustments on the chart.
8) Passed me an ATT and asked for the tides, today in Plymouth. Was it springs or
neaps?
a. If you have gotten to the Orals stage without learning how to do a basic tide
question, well, God help you.
9) Asked me about the Planned Maintenance System on my last ship.
a. Talked about it, how it works, mentioned there was some stuff in my Ops workbook
about it, so he picked up my workbook and started flicking through it.
10) Asked me if I had been on a weather reporting ship.
a. Said I had, so straight onto
11) What is a PAB? How do I take a reading?
a. Precision Aneroid Barometer, told him how to take a reading with one, then how to
adjust to sea level.
12) What is inside a Stevenson Screen?
a. Marine Hygrometer
b. Decided to get the next question out of the way, because I knew it was going to be
what if the temperatures are the same, so I told him about prediction of fog, using
the table inside NP100, ventilation of cargo holds if required (certain types of bulk
cargo).
13) What is a hydrometer?
a. Instrument for measuring relative density of a fluid.
14) ECDIS, tell me everything you know, had I used it, had I been on a paperless
ship?
a. Talked non-stop for about 2 minutes about ECDIS, all the usual good stuff like ENC
and RNC, pros and cons, requirements for paperless, limitations, etc.
15) Passage Planning. Tell me everything.
a. Got stopped midway into Planning.
16) When will I call the master?
a. Listed all the items in BPG. Seemed happy.
17) You are on the 2000-2400 watch, Second Mate comes up at Midnight to relieve
you. Explain the handover procedure.
a. Noticed he said the 2nd Mate came up at midnight, so quickly said I would not
hand over the watch until the 2nd Mates eyes were adjusted to the dark. Then I went
through the watch hand over list. He seemed happy.
18) Compass Errors. Lots of questions, how to take, when to take.
a. Told him about transits if close to shore, then deep sea gave him amplitudes,
azimuths and Polaris. I had quite a bit of celestial in my Nav book, with lots of
different methods (ABC, Cosine Formula, Amplitude, etc) so told him about them and
he had a look. I recommend having a good Nav workbook before going up, helps a lot
if you can point to it and show you did something other than getting intimate with

yourself whilst at sea.

19) Amplitudes, how high should the Sun be when taking?
a. Half a semi-diameter.
20) Lifebuoys, markings, how many required, etc
a. SOLAS Chapter 3, you cannot go wrong.
21) On anchor watch, what are your duties, you notice the anchor is dragging and a
vessel is passing close, actions.
a. Gave him the anchor watch duties, then gave actions to take, he was very happy
when I dropped in Id call the Engine Room into my answers, he said people often
forget that one.
ROR
1) A LOAD OF RULE 19! Not situations, but was quizzing me on my knowledge, I
started to parrot off Rule 19, but he stopped me and said he didnt want to hear what
it said, but how I personally interpreted Rule 19. So I answered all the questions
(there was many, speed, when does it apply, does it apply in heavy rain, etc) the way
I thought it applied, and he seemed happy.
2) Smarty board, NUC ahead not making way, said I am RAM. Who should alter?
a. I should.
3) Lots of questions on my interpretation of what a vessel NUC is.
4) Tug and Tow crossing from port.
a. Tug and Tow gives way.
5) Same vessel, but now has ball diamond ball.
a. I keep clear, alter to port.
6) Vessel 22.5 degrees abaft beam, is it crossing or overtaking?
a. It is crossing.
7) Now I am the vessel 22.5 abaft the beam, but the ship is rolling, compass is
swinging a bit. What now?
a. Told him as I was unsure if it was 22.5 or less, I should assume I am overtaking,
act accordingly.
8) Vessel ahead, 5 degrees to starboard.
a. Rule 14, pass port to port. Both vessels give way.
9) Vessel calls you up and asks for green-to-green.
a. Decline, call the Master.