Syllabuses Master (Yachts less than 500gt) Duration Content
Assessment Seamanship a)
Explain the precautions necessary when heavy weather is forecast b)
Explain the dangers of synchronous rolling c) Describe the dangers
to the vessel and crew of heavy rolling and pitching with particular reference to structural damage
and injury to personnel d) Aware of the dangers of running before
a following sea e) Appreciate the dangers of excessive speed in adverse
conditions f) Describe the procedure for heaving to, bow and stern
to the sea g) Explain the dangers of squalls to small vessels 2 Understand conduct of heavy weather emergencies a)
Describe the precautions when launching and manoeuvring a rescue boat or survival craft in heavy weather b) Discuss the handling of a disabled vessel in heavy weather. Use of sea anchors and drogues 3 Understand precautionary measures for maintaining
buoyancy a) Explain the importance of ensuring water freeing
arrangements are maintained with particular reference to deck drains and scuppers b)
Aware of the importance of securing anchors and chains with reference to closing the hawse and spurling
pipes c) Dangers of side openings and shell doors d)
Aware of the importance of securing jet-skies, tenders etc., instructions to the crew and routine checks e) Aware of the practical aspect of keeping records regarding watertight integrity 4 Understand procedures when towing and being
towed a) Explain the selection of suitable towing points b)
Outline the procedure for preparing to tow or be towed including the selection of suitable gear c)
Discuss the various methods of passing and securing a tow d) Explain
the methods of steering a vessel under tow and when being towed e) Explain the procedure of letting go a tow 5 Ship handling a)
Discuss methods of handling a vessel in rivers, estuaries, restricted waters, and in harbours b)
Aware of the effects of weather, tide, headreach, stopping distance and currents c)
Discuss the considerations when approaching a dock or berth d) Understand
the effect experienced when manoeuvring in shallow waters, including reduction of underkeel clearance
by squat, rolling and pitching; e) Aware of the sources of manoeuvring
data f) Understand the cause and effect of interaction between passing
vessels g) Use and limitations of manoeuvring and propulsion systems h)
Explain the procedures and precaution necessary when embarking and disembarking a pilot i) Explain the Mediterranean moor 6 Understand procedures for bring a vessel
to anchor a) Explain the factors that effect the choice of
anchorage, including the expected weather and the quality of the holding ground b)
Understand how to anchor using one or two anchors c) Explain how
to achieve a running moor d) Discuss procedures for clearing a fouled
anchor e) Explains the requirement for an anchor watch, actions when
dragging anchor and when anchoring in heavy weather f) Explain actions required when anchoring in deep water 7 Understanding of navigational dangers a)
Be aware of dangers likely to be encountered in shallow waters b) Be aware of dangers likely to be encountered in and near reefs 8 Actions in Emergency situations a)
Explain action to assist a ship or aircraft in distress, including sources of information b)
Explain actions to be taken if grounding is imminent, and after grounding c)
Discuss refloating a grounded vessel with and without assistance d)
Explain the procedure for beaching a vessel e) Explain the action
to be taken after a collision f) Discuss measures to preserve stability
and trim in event of damage g) Understand manoverboard manoeuvres h) Explain the necessity to keep records and make reports to meet statutory and organisational requirements 9 Response in emergency a)
Define and plan strategic procedures in event of an emergency b)
Discuss the allocation of resources, and emergency duties to teams and individuals c)
Explain the practical use of contingency plans d) Explain the organisation
and benefits of drills musters and other emergency training e) Discuss
the possible effect of emergency action on the external environment f)
Discuss crowd control and the handling of passengers and personnel g)
Explain the actions necessary when preparing to abandon ship, and when abandoning ship h) Explain the risk of precipitated abandoning of the vessel 10 Action required in the event of loss of
essential systems a) Discuss action to be taken in the event
of loss of steering b) Explain the operation of emergency steering
systems c) Understands the rigging of a jury rudder d) Actions to be taken in a drifting vessel 11 Dry-docking with and without damage a) Understand the practical aspect of emergency docking and undocking Navigation and Passage Planning a) Explain the basic procedures for
the keeping of a safe navigational watch b) Establishing a navigational
policy, including watchkeeping arrangements and hours of work c)
Understand the importance of handing over, relieving and maintaining a watch in accordance with established
principles and procedures d) Discuss the watchkeeper’s role and responsibilities
with particular reference to maintaining a lookout, monitoring traffic, the vessel and environment e)
Explain the responsibilities and duties of lookouts f) Understands
precautions necessary when changing over from hand to automatic steering and vice-versa g)
Explain the possible dangers in the use of VHF in collision avoidance; h)
Practical application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs) i)
State the importance of correct log book entries and other record maintenance activities j)
State the necessity for clear Bridge communication with respect to alteration of course and/or speed k)
An understanding of the importance of Master’s standing instructions and standing orders l) Explains the use and operation of AIS Meteorology a) Demonstrates an elementary
knowledge of atmospheric stability and lapse rates b) Explain the
process of cloud formation and understands the classification of clouds c)
Explain local and regional effects of heating and cooling d) Can
give a simple explanation of the causes of local variations, with special reference to: i. land and sea breezes; ii.
monsoons; iii. katabatic winds; e)
Describe the weather associated with the principle pressure systems e.g. anti-cyclones and depressions f)
Explain the formation of permanent and semi-permanent high and low pressure areas g)
States the relationship between pressure distribution and wind h)
A simple understanding of air masses and their properties i) Discuss
the weather associated with rising and falling pressure j) Understands
the terms pressure tendency and pressure gradient k) Demonstrate
an ability to interpret simple marine weather forecasts l) Understands
the dangers of navigation in or near ice m) Explains the formation
of ice accretion on vessels and the associated dangers n) Demonstrate
an understanding of the formation of tropical revolving storms and the avoidance of these storms o)
A knowledge of the types of weather messages including synoptic, prognostic analysis and common weather
chart symbols p) Demonstrate a knowledge of the organisations providing
meteorological information to shipping q) Assess the reliability
of weather forecasts with respect to elapsed time and forecast duration r) Explain the use of weather messages to deduce the probable weather and changes in the weather MARPOL a) Demonstrates an understanding
of the IMO conventions concerning safety of life at sea and the protection of the environment b)
Demonstrates a knowledge of the SOPEP Manual c) Demonstrates a knowledge
of the Oil Record Book and the contents, including record keeping d)
Discuss the Garbage Management Plan, including the requirement for record keeping e)
Explain the requirements and limitations associated with at sea garbage disposal areas f)
Explain the problems associated with garbage segregation, onboard storage and landing garbage in port g)
Discuss the precautions required necessary to protect the marine environment h)
Explain the practical prevention of oil spills with particular reference to bunkering operations i)
Understands the action to be taken in event of an accidental oil spillage j) Demonstrate an understanding of anti pollution procedures and associated equipment Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen1
a)
Understands the importance of complying with the health and hygiene requirements b)
Discuss personal care in hot climates c) Understands the importance of regular inspections of accommodation 2 Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant
Seamen a) Explain the use of the Code of Safe Working Practices
for Merchant Seamen b) Describe the advice concerning the maintenance
and use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) c) Discuss responses
to breaches of health and safety requirements d) State personal responsibility
for ensuring safe working practices, safe work area and following safety procedures e)
Discuss the importance of minimisation of unhelpful interruption to, and digression from planned work f)
Demonstrates an understanding of the principles of a Permit to Work System(s) g)
Understands the danger involved in the entry into enclosed spaces and the precautions necessary h)
Explains the dangers involved in working overside and at height and the precautions necessary i)
Understands the safety precautions when using chemicals that are potentially hazardous to health together
with a knowledge of sources of information j) Explain the safety
precautions when using powered tools k) Explain the importance of safety briefings 3 Role and responsibility of the Safety Officer a)
Explain the requirement for and importance of safety meetings b)
Explain a procedure for hazard identification c) Discuss the requirements
for practical aspects of safety inspections d) Explain the importance
of keeping records e) Explain the powers of the Safety Officer 4 Reporting of unsafe practices and incidents a)
Explain the requirement for near miss reporting b) Demonstrate an
understanding of accident investigation c) Action on encountering
an unsafe operation d) Explain the importance of rectifying and eliminating unsafe conditions and potential hazards 5 Principles of planning work activities,
setting objectives and priorities to ensure requirements are met a)
Explain the principles of risk assessment b) Discuss the importance
of onboard working relationships c) Explain the importance of correct
allocation of manpower resources d) Explain the strategies for encouraging
effective and working relationships e) Defining realistic proposals
for actions and objectives f) Demonstrates an understanding of the
procedure for handling disagreements and disputes g) Demonstrate an understanding of complaints procedures 1 SI 1998/1838 The Merchant Shipping (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regulations 1998 or any subsequent amendment |