2O INTERVIEW
- INTRODUCTION
- DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
- PSC CHECK POINTS
- HOW TO MAINTAIN BRIDGE EQUIPMENT
- PASSAGE PLANNING WITH ECDIS
- ENC / CHART CORRECTION
- ECDIS SOFTWARE VERSION
- PRESENTATION LIBRARY
- HOW YOU DETERMINE SAFETY DEPTH / SAFETY
CONTOUR
- WHAT IS CATZOC
-WHAT IS AIO
-WHAT IS SCAMING MODE
- Gmdss
-TELL ME ABOUT YOUR LAST SHIP
Duties and Responsibilities?
In summary, the 2nd Mate’s role is pivotal in ensuring
safe navigation, maintaining shipboard safety standards,
and supporting both cargo and environmental
responsibilities.
PSC Check point?
In summary, PSC inspections require the 2nd Officer to
be prepared in areas such as navigation,
communication, safety, and environmental compliance,
with up-to-date records and equipment.
Passage Planning and Navigation
Passage Plan: PSC inspectors may review the passage
plan to ensure it is complete, covers the entire voyage,
and includes factors like alternate routes, weather,
tides, traffic separation schemes, and restricted areas.
Navigational Charts and Publications: Inspectors will
check that all necessary and up-to-date charts, ECDIS
settings, and publications (such as tide tables, sailing
directions, and notices to mariners) are available and
accessible.
ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information
System): If the vessel has ECDIS, it should be properly
configured with all necessary updates, and officers
should be able to demonstrate its use.
2. Bridge Equipment
Bridge Equipment Functionality: This includes checking
equipment such as radar, AIS, autopilot, GPS, VHF
radios, gyrocompass, and other navigational aids. All
equipment must be in good working condition.
VDR (Voyage Data Recorder): The PSC may check if the
VDR is operational and if data is being properly
recorded.
Bridge Procedures: Inspectors may ask for evidence of
bridge procedures, such as a night order book and
bridge logbook, and check whether watchkeeping
standards are being followed.
3. GMDSS Equipment and Communication
GMDSS Equipment: All GMDSS equipment, including
MF/HF radio, DSC, EPIRB, SART, and INMARSAT, must be
fully operational and properly maintained.
Radio Logbook: Inspectors will check that all radio
communications, particularly distress and safety
communications, are properly logged and that the
logbook is up to date.
GMDSS Certificates: The 2nd Officer's GMDSS
certification should be valid, and training records should
show that the officer is familiar with using the
equipment.
Medical Locker and First Aid
Medical Supplies: The 2nd Officer, often the designated
medical officer, may be asked to show the contents of
the medical locker, ensuring all medical supplies and
first aid kits are complete and within expiry.
Medical Log: PSC may check if records of medical
treatment given on board are properly maintained.
6. Logbooks and Record-Keeping
Deck Logbook: The deck logbook should be up to date,
accurately reflecting entries for vessel position, weather,
course changes, and any significant incidents.
Certificates and Documents
Certificates of Competency: The 2nd Officer’s licenses,
certifications (such as GMDSS, radar, ECDIS, and medical
first aid certificates), and other qualifications should be
valid and available for inspection.
Safety Management System (SMS) Familiarity: PSC may
ask questions to verify the 2nd Officer’s familiarity with
the ship’s SMS, emergency procedures, and operational
guidelines.
8. Environmental Compliance
MARPOL Compliance: The 2nd Officer may need to
demonstrate knowledge of MARPOL regulations, such
as oil discharge limits, garbage management, and ballast
water exchange procedures.
Pollution Prevention Equipment: If the 2nd Officer
oversees the deck pollution prevention equipment, PSC
will verify that the equipment is maintained and
functional.
9. Training and Familiarization
Crew Familiarization: PSC inspectors may question the
2nd Officer on their knowledge of the vessel’s layout,
emergency procedures, and safety equipment locations.
HOW TO MAINTAIN BRIDGE EQUIPMENT
As a 2nd Officer, maintaining bridge equipment is crucial
to ensuring the safety and operational readiness of the
vessel. Below are key practices and tips for bridge
equipment maintenance:
1. Daily Checks and Maintenance
Inspect Navigational Instruments: Check radar, GPS,
gyrocompass, ECDIS, echo sounder, AIS, and other
critical instruments for any errors or malfunctions.
Monitor Performance: Ensure that all equipment is
operational and displaying accurate data. Log any
discrepancies.
Check Lighting and Indicators: Verify that all indicator
lights and displays (e.g., on the bridge console) are
functioning correctly.
2. Weekly Maintenance
Radar Calibration: Test radar performance and check for
correct alignment, range, and bearing accuracy. Clean
the radar display screens and adjust
brightness/contrast.
Gyro Compass Adjustment: Check and record the
gyrocompass errors, and calibrate if necessary.
Test Sound Signals: Ensure the vessel’s sound signals
(like the whistle or fog horn) are working properly.
Compass Adjustment: Compare readings with the
magnetic compass and adjust if errors are detected.
3. Monthly Maintenance
ECDIS Updates: Ensure that ECDIS and other digital
charts are updated with the latest chart corrections.
Battery Check: Test the emergency batteries for all
bridge equipment, including GMDSS equipment, and
verify backup systems are ready in case of power
failure.
Cleaning and Lubrication: Clean all bridge equipment
and ensure moving parts are properly lubricated.
Documentation Update: Review manuals, ensure all logs
(radar, AIS, GMDSS) are up to date, and make a record
of the maintenance work done.
4. Quarterly and Annual Maintenance
Servicing and Calibration: Arrange for professional
servicing and calibration of critical equipment like radar,
gyrocompass, and echo sounder.
Software Upgrades: Check for and install any firmware
or software updates that enhance equipment
functionality or security.
Test Emergency Systems: Conduct full drills to test
backup systems, power supplies, and emergency
communication systems.
5. GMDSS Equipment Maintenance
Routine Tests: Carry out daily and weekly tests on
GMDSS equipment (VHF, MF/HF, EPIRB, SART) as per
SOLAS requirements.
Battery Check: Ensure that GMDSS batteries are fully
charged and inspect the expiry dates of EPIRB and SART
batteries.
6. Safety and Cleanliness
Ensure Cleanliness: Regularly clean dust from bridge
equipment to prevent overheating or obstructions.
Cable Management: Check that cables are secured, in
good condition, and not obstructing pathways.
Monitor Environmental Conditions: Avoid exposure to
extreme temperatures, moisture, or direct sunlight to
avoid equipment damage.
7. Documentation and Record-Keeping
Log Entries: Record all maintenance actions, tests,
inspections, and any incidents of equipment failure or
repair.
Report Issues: Promptly report any malfunctions or
deficiencies to the Chief Officer or Captain and arrange
for repairs if needed.
Maintaining bridge equipment requires careful
adherence to routines, proactive inspections, and
logging to ensure all systems are functioning correctly
and ready for safe navigation.
PASSAGE PLANNING WITH ECDIS
3.4.4 Passage planning using ECDIS Depending on the ship's certification,
ECDIS may be the primary tool for passage planning on board. Effective use
of route planning tools, voyage notes and action points contribute to a
comprehensive passage plan. When using ECDIS for passage planning, the
following factors should be considered:
• Availability of and access to the required up-to-date ENCs and RNCs for
the intended passage. This should include identification of areas where
ECDIS may need to be in raster chart display system (RODS) mode and
where paper charts might therefore be required;
• If reusing a previous passage plan, the need to recheck the route to
confirm that it remains safe and no changes are necessary;
• An appropriate large scale ENC or RNC should be used when planning a
route;
• Making sure that any old or previous routes are removed from the
display;
• The need to select chart symbols (pick report) on ENCs to get additional
detailed safety and navigational information;
• Applying a maximum acceptable cross track distance (XTO) to each leg of
a route. This should comply with any requirements in the SMS and be
appropriate for the area;
• Calculating safety depths and safety contours and setting them up in line
with the under keel clearance (UKC) requirements in the SMS;
• Setting estimated time of arrival (ETA) information manually or using
route planning tools. If this is set incorrectly, it may affect tidal data and
time dependent information for the route;
• Applying current and tidal data, if integrated with ECDIS and up to date,
to the route; and
• Checking information about the vessel's characteristics and confirming it
as correct. This includes details about draught (including any allowance for
squat or additional safety margins), turn radius and vessel dimensions.