Saturday, August 18, 2012

SYLLABUS FOR CHIEF MATE F.G (PHASE - 1)


1. Navigation
Practical Navigation
- Describe ocean passages for the world and sailing directions
- Routeing charts and routeing in accordance with general provisions of ship's routeing
- Reporting procedures in accordance with general principles for ships reporting system 
  and with VTS procedures.
- Planning navigation and plotting courses taken into account restricted waters, 
  meteorological conditions, Ice, Restricted visibility, Traffic Separation Scheme, vessel  
  traffic services (VTS) areas and areas of extensive tidal effects.
- Explain various stages of passage planning (Appraisal, Planning, Execution and 
  Monitoring)
- Define Current, Leeway, Tidal stream, Set, Drift.
- Explain effect of wind and current and determine course and distance made good.
- Explain course to steer allowing for tidal stream or current or wind.
- Explain how to determine distance off by Vertical Sextant Angle.
- Determine position by bearing and range (Exercise).
- Determine position by plotting astronomical position lines (Exercise).
- Transferring of position lines (Exercise).
- Determine position by running fix with leeway and current (Exercise).
- Plan a passage between two ports from berth to berth using the procedure for passage 
  planning (Exercise).
- Ability to use appropriate charts, publications,errors in position lines,and notice to 
  mariners.
- Explain how errors may occur in position fixing and how they are minimized.
- Chart correction and other nautical publications including T&P notices using Notice to 
  Matiners and corrections using tracings (Exercise).
- Mercator Sailing (Exercise).
- Expalin Spherical triangle, Napier's Rule, how to transfer GC course to Mercator chart.
- Describe Gnomonic, Mercator, Transverse Mercator and Universal Transverse Mercator 
  Projections.
- Calculate Position of vertex of GC track, Initial course, Final course, distance with the 
  stated limiting latitude.
Celestial Navigation 
- State Kepler's Laws of motion. 
- Define civil, nautical and astronomical twilights.
- Explain conditions necessary for twilight all nights, continuous day light or continuous 
  darkness.
- Explain influence of latitude on duration of twilight.
- Explain relationship between time and longitude.
- Explain relationship between tome and hour angle.
- Explain magnitude of stars.
- Explain how to identify stars by star charts and star finder.
- Calculate Time of meridian altitude of sun.
- Calculate position lines by means of observation of sun, planet and stars including pole 
  stars.
- Calculate stars suitable for observation in the twilight period 
- Calculate position based on staggered / simultaneous observations.
2. Meteorology 
- Explain diurnal variation of temperature, relative humidity, Lapse rate, adiabatic change, 
  Diurnal variation of pressure, geostrophic wind, Gradient and cyclostrophic winds.
- Describe Characteristics and location of doldrums, ITCZ, Trade winds, Westerlies, polar 
  easterlies, and sub tropical oceanic highs.
- Explain general description of surface temperature and surface current.
- Describe characteristic and weather associated with various types of clouds, 
  characteristic and weather associated with various air masses, cause of global warming,
  Depletion of ozone layer, Accumulation of green house gas.
- Describe effect of global warming - change in weather pattern, melting of ice cap.
- Explain region and seasons of greatest frequency of TRS.
- Explain local nomenclature of TRS.
- Explain Condition associated with formation of TRS.
- Explain factors affecting movement of TRS.
- Explain factors associated with decay of TRS.
- Describe characteristics of TRS.
- Describe signs which gives warning of an approaching TRS.
- Describe messages required to be sent as per SOLAS.
- Sketch and describe typical and possible track of TRS.
- Sketch and describe cross section through a TRS showing areas of cloud and 
  precipitation.
- Sketch and describe plan of TRS showing isobars, wind circulation, tarck, path, eye, 
  trough line, dangerous semi circle, dangerous quadrant and navigable semi circle for both 
  hemispheres.
- Explain reason for naming dangerous hemi circles.
- Explain Method determining in which sector of TRS a ship is situated.
- Explain method of determining vertex of a TRS.
- Explain Correct avoidance procedure when in the vicinity of TRS.
- Define family of depressions, trough, anti cyclone, ridge, col
- Sketch and describe structure of typical frontal zone, warm front, cold front, line squall.
- Explain frontogenesis, frontolysis,Occlusion,weather associated with cold front, warm 
  front, line squall and ITCZ, formation of frontal and non frontal depressions.
- Sketch and Describe distribution of weather in a depression, isobars and wind circulation 
  in a depression, cross section through warm and cold occlusions, synoptic pattern of anti 
  cyclone, synoptic pattern of ridge, synoptic pattern of col. 
- Explain synoptic and prognostic charts along with their use, interpreting isobaric patterns 
  and codes on a synoptic weather chart.
- How to determine geostrophic and surface wind speed from the charts.
- Explain purpose of maritime forecast code.
- Explain data given by MARFOR.
- List information given in wave chart, ice chart, weather fax charts and shipping forecasts.
- Explain drift current, gradient current, upwelling current.
- Explain general patterns of surface water circulation, principle individual currents and 
  their names.
- Explain information available on current rose.
- Explain vector mean current, current data present in current atlases and routeing charts.
- Describe use of data available from all of above for passage plan.
- Describe Characteristic and weather associated with various ocean currents.
- Define wave, significant wave height, average wave height, fetch, swell.
- Explain importance of wind forces, duration, fetch in formation and growth of waves, 
  the method of estimating wave height and wave period, factors affecting wave height and 
  direction, informations available from wind rose,the method of estimating wave lenght of 
  the wave.
- Define ice tongue, ice shelf, pack ice and fast ice.
- Explain formation of sea ice, formation of ice bergs from floating glaciers, ice shelf's and 
  characteristics of each.
- Explain normal season and probable tracks of bergs from origin to decay (North Atlatic 
  Only), outer limit of area in which ice bergs may be encountered.
- Explain reason for decay of ice bergs, areas affected by sea ice, Precautions to be taken 
  when navigating near ice.
- Explain purpose, duties, and responsibilities of International ice petrol, freezing spray and 
  actions to minimize the effect.
- State signs which may indicate proximity of ice on clear days and nights, the range at 
  which observer may expect ice visually in varying conditions of visibility.
- State limitations of radar as a means of detecting ice.
- Describe factors which may give rise to ice accretion, use of mariners hand book to 
  estimate the rate of ice accretion, method of reducing ice accretion, report to be made 
  under international conventions when ice is encountered.
- List informations in radio messages reporting dangerous ice, conditions leading to ice 
  accretion.
- List different types of ice, ice bergs, limits of ice bergs, accumulation of ice on ships.
- Describe information of current, wind and ice to select an optimum route, use of wave 
  chart to select the best route, weather routeing services available to shipping.
- Describe climatological routeing, optimum (least time routeing), data presented in sailing 
  directions and mariner's hand book, construction of ship's performance curves.
- Explain routeing charts, tide tables, current and tidal stream atlases

3. Cargo Handling & Stowage
  Dry cargo
Timber Cargo
- Explain contents of code of safe practice for ships carrying timber deck cargoes, stowage 
  and securing of deck timber cargoes.
- Explain hazards involved with the carriage of deck timber cargo, need for regular 
  inspection of lashing arrangements.
- Explain need for controlling height of deck cargo, need for provision of walkways and 
  access to the top of the cargo.
- Describe action if cargo is lost overboard, stability criteria to be fulfilled, rolling period 
  test for determining ship's stability and limitations of the method.

Container
- Explain types and marking of containers, bay plans and stack weight, anti heeling tanks, 
  torsional stress, lashing and securing of containers, container code.
- Describe procedures for loading and carriage of refrigerated containers.
Car carriers and Ro-Ro Ships
- Describe stowage and arrangements of vehicles, procedures for loading and discharging 
  of vehicles, procedure for lowering and hoisting of ramps, procedure for setting up and 
  stowing retractable vehicle deck.
- Describe procedure for opening and closing and securing hull openings, general 
  precautions to be observed whilst working cargo.
- Explain need to monitor atmosphere in ro-ro space.
Reefer ships
- Define cooled, frozen and chilled cargoes.
- Describe general outline of refrigeration system (vapour absorption and brine cooling), preparation of cargo space for carriage of refrigerated cargoes.
- Describe Care, monitoring and records of cargo during voyage, Inspection of cargo and brine traps, general precautions to be observed whilst working cargo.

- Explain load density, need for spreading of the load over an area, use of shoring, hazards  
  and precautions while handling a heavy lift, method of securing heavy lift(below deck 
  and above deck), need for adequate initial GM.
- Describe Mate's receipt, Bill of lading, Charter parties, note of protest.
- Prepare cargo plan given hatch dimension, stowage factor, load density, broken stowage.
- Describe prepare cargo space prior loading, precautions to avoid crushing and chafing 
  damage and state which cargoes are liable to be affected, how to protect cargoes which  
  liable to freeze.
- Describe Ship and Cargo sweat and need for ventilation, importance of  and informations 
  available from code of safe practice for cargo stowage and securing, importance of and 
  informations available from cargo securing manual.
- Describe securing arrangements of rolled steel, steel coils, steel plates, vehicle, 
  containers, inspection and lightening of lashings, importance of log book entries.
- Define competent person, authorised person, responsible person, loose gears, lifting 
  appliances.
- Explain contents of register for ship's lifting appliances and cargo handling gears (chain 
  register).
- Describe duties of dock safety inspector.
- State the requirements of guarding dangerous parts of the machinery.
- Describe requirements for testing of lifting appliance and loose gears before they used for  
  the first time, requirements for periodic thorough examination and inspection of cargo 
  gears, annealing of loose gears, maintenance of wire ropes, blocks, shackles, hooks, 
  sheaves, pulleys and slings.
- Describe procedures to check weather tightness of hatch covers, securing of hatch 
  pontoons, maintenance and use of side cleats and cross joint wedge mechanism.
- Explain importance of clear drainage channels and drain holes, importance of 
  compression bars and sealing gaskets, need to check hydraulic system for leakage.
- Explain procedures for effective port watch keeping, the items to be checked regarding 
  safety of life, cargo, property, environment and security during a deck watch, the 
  circumstances in which to call Master, the items included in chief officers standing 
  orders/night orders.
- Knowledge of the limitations on strength of the vital constructional l parts of a standared 
  bulk carrier and ability to interpret given figures for bending moments and shearing 
  forces.
- Outline and describe the common damage/defects that may occur on water tight 
  transverse bulk heads situated at the ends of dry cargo holds of a bulk carrier.
- State cracks may often be found at or near the connection of the stool of the transverse 
  bulkheads and the tank top in bulk carrier having combination cargo/ballast tanks.
- Action to be taken to avoid the detrimental effects on bulk carriers of corrosion, fatigue,
  and inadequate cargo handling.
- Explain classification of IMDG cargo, use of IMDG code, MFAG, EmS, segregation 
  table, precautions when handling dangerous goods, dangerous cargo manifest, inspections 
  before loading dangerous goods, dangerous goods carried in containers, construction of 
  magazine for carriage of explosives, limitations of carriage of explosives, compatibility of 
  class 1 cargoes. 
- Define angle of repose, flow moist point, transportable moisture limit, flow point, 
  stowage factor, load density.
- Describe preparations for holds for loading.
- Explain purpose and objectives of IMSBC code, classification of cargoes as per IMSBC 
  code, main hazards and precautions with the shipment of bulk solids (ore, urea, 
  concentrates, sulphur, coal, HBI/DRI).
- Explain documentation required prior loading, maximum allowable weight for single and 
  adjacent holds, block loading, purpose and objectives of bulk carrier loading and 
  unloading  (BLU) code, test for determining angle of repose and FMP on board, 
  precautions to be taken prior entering cargo holds.
- Define grain, filled and partly filled compartments, trimmed and untrimmed cargo.
- Explain preparations of holds for carriage of grain cargoes, securing free grain surface in 
  partly filled compartment, use of shifting boards, document of authorisation, grain 
  loading stability criteria in detail, contents of grain loading stability booklet, methods to 
  reduce grain heeling moments in order to meet grain stability criteria.
- Explain various hazards in carriage of dangerous goods, safety precautions during cargo 
  operations.
  Liquid Cargo
- Define Crude oil, refined products, spiked crude, sour crude, reid vapour pressure, upper 
  and lower flammable limits, pour point, flammability diagram, TLV, tanker arrangements 
  (tanks, pump rooms, slop tanks, cofferdams, deep tanks), cargo piping system, cargo 
  pumps.
- Explain contents and application of the ISGOTT.
- Define segregated ballast, clean ballast, dirty ballast, slop tank.
- Describe with sketch inert gas system, PV valve, PV breaker.
- Describe hazards involved in COW, cleaning, purging and gas freeing procedures, 
  loading and discharging operations on a tanker.
- List items of pre arrival check list, items of COW check list.
- Explain the use of O2 analyser, Explosimeter, Tank scope, Draeger tubes.
Chemical Tanker
- Define type 1, type 2 and type 3 chemical tankers.
- Explain various categories (x,y,z, os) of cargoes, hazards associated with chemical 
  cargoes and control measures, various types of tank coating, purpose and use of IBC and 
  BCH code, purpose and objectives of P&A manual, equipment for evaluation of tank 
  atmosphere, threshold limit value of product, odour threshold, informations available in 
  cargo data sheets, with the aid of a simple diagram, a "closed circuit" loading operation 
  using a vapour return line.
- List items of pre arrival checklist, entries made in cargo record book.
- Sketch and describe independent, integral, gravity and pressure cargo tanks, typical tank 
  arrangements with piping.
- Describe hazards involved with tank cleaning, use of slop tanks, cycle of a tank washing 
  system, discharge criteria as per Annex II of Marpol 73/78.
Gas Tanker
- Define type A, type B, type C tanks.
- State each cargo tank is filled with high level alarm and auto shut off.
- Explain purpose and objectives of IGC code, hazards of gas cargoes and control 
  measures adopted, the terms boiling point, cargo area, cargo containment system, gas 
  carrier, gas/dangerous zone, gas safe space, hold space, inter barrier space, MARVS, 
  primary and secondary barrier, tank dome.
- Explain various types of ships (fully pressurized, semi pressurized, fully refrigerated and 
  semi refrigerated), various types of tanks (integral, membrane, semi membrane, 
  independent and internally insulated tank), certificate of fitness, detection of cargo 
  leakage through primary barrier).
- Sketch and explain deepwell pump, re-liquefaction plant.
- List contents of pre cargo checklist, fumigation information which should be supplied to 
  the Master.
- Explain reasons for the control of pest, International health regulations, precautions when 
  the vessel is fumigated, how contact insecticides are used for dealing with local 
  infestation, procedure to make man entry in the space after fumigation.
- State vulnerable areas on ships requiring particular attention, permission to be obtained 
  from port state a administration prior fumigation.
- Calculate quantity of cargo loaded/ to load, discharge/ to discharge by draft survey (ship 
  stability book), Quantity of cargo using ASTM tables, given density at 15 degrees 
  centigrade in vacuum diamensions of the cargo space and ullage at observed temperature, 
  Using WRF, weight of cargo in tank, quantity of cargo/ water by using wedge formula.

4. Ship Stability
- State Simpson's Rule 1,2 and 3.
- Calculate Areas, Volume, TPC, FWA using Simpson's rule, Geometric centre of areas 
  and volumes.
- Explain the formula FSC=i/Vol
- Explain i=lb3/l2 for rectangular areas
- Calculate free surface correction using formula and ship stability booklet.
- Moment of inertia (i) of a tank using Simpson's rules.
- Explain maximum dead weight moment, minimum permissible GM, maximum 
  permissible KG (diagrams/tables)
- Explain use of diagrams of dead weight moment.
- Explain LCG, LCB, effect of loading, discharging and shift of weight on LCG, effect of 
  change in underwater volume on LCB, trimming moment, Moments required to change 
  trim by 1 cm (MCTC)
- Explain why BMis used instead of GMto determine MCTC, effect of change in 
  density on MCTC.
- Explain Trim=Trimming Moment/MCTC
- Explain Change in trim = change in draft forward + change in draft aft
- Explain use of trim tables.
- State centre of floatation is centroid of water plane area, LCF is the tipping centre or the 
  pivoting point about which the vessels changes her trim, 
  Change in Draft aft, Ta=(TcX  LCF)/LBP
  Change in draft fwd, Tf=[TcX (LBP-LCF)]/LBP
- Calculate quantity of cargo to be loaded /discharged/ shifted to produce a required trim.
- Calculate final fwd and aft drafts, quantity of cargo to be loaded/ discharged to keep the 
  fwd/ aft draught constant, quantity of cargo to be loaded/ discharged to reach desired 
  fwd and aft draft, final trim, fore and aft draft using ship stability booklet.
- Explain cross curves of stability and KN curves, how to determine GZ from cross/ KN 
  curves, effect on GZ values due to shift of weights (vertical and horizontal curves), range 
  of stability.
- Describe effect of increased length, breadth and freeboard on the curve of statical 
  stability.
- Calculate angle of list resulting from transverse and vertical movement of weight using 
  GZ curve, area under the GZ curve using Simpson's Rules.
- State statical stability requirements as per SOLAS, dynamical stability at stated angle of 
  heel represents potential energy of the ship, potential energy is used in overcoming 
  resistance to rolling and in producing rotational energy.
- Explain intact stability requirement for carriage of the grain, volumetric heeling moments 
  caused due to shift of grain in partly filled/ full compartments, use of maximum 
  permissible VHM curves.
- Draw heeling arm curve on Righting arm curve of given ship's condition and determine 
  angle of heel.
- Compare result from calculations above with the criteria set in reg 4 of Grain Code.
- State part of the weight is taken by the blocks as soon as the ship touches the blocks and 
  reduces buoyancy force by same amount.
- Define critical instant, critical period, declivity of docks.
- Explain upthrust (P) causes a virtual loss of GM.
- Explain Upthrust P = (MCTC X Tc)/ distance from centre of floatation, why GM must 
  remain positive until critical instant.
- Calculate minimum GM to ensure ship remains stable at the point of taking blocks 
  overall, maximum trim to ensure ship remain stable at the point of taking blocks overall, 
  Virtual loss of GM and drafts of ships after water level has fallen by stated amount, 
  drafts on taking the blocks overall, Loss in GM for fall in water level after sitting overall.
- Explain how the stability of a ship aground at one point on centre line is reduced the 
  same way as in dry dock, how increase in upthrust with fall in tide, increases the heeling 
  moment and reduces the stability.
- Calculate virtual loss of GM and drifts of ship after tide has fallen by a stated amount, point of grounding, given initial drafts after grounding.

5.Ship Constructions
- Describe manual arc welding, automatic welding process, electro-slag, electro-gas, TIG, 
  MIG, SAW, Resistance welding, Butt, Lap and fillet welds, preparation of plate edge for 
  welding, Use of tack welding, Weld fault: lack of fusion, penetration, re-enforcement, 
  root penetration, slag inclusion, porosity, overlap and under cut, gas cutting of metals, 
  various tests for welds
- Explain purpose of flux, single pass, multi pass and back run, full penetration fillet weld, 
  distortion due to welding and measures to minimise them.
- State classification societies require test on weld materials and electrodes before 
  approval.
- State regulation regarding minimum number of bulkheads and their locations.
- Define water tight, non water tight, weather tight, oil tight and corrugated bulk heads.
- Sketch and describe construction of W/T bulkheads and its attachments to sides and tank 
  top.
- How water tightness is maintained when bulkheads are pierced by longitudinal, beams or 
  pipes.
- Explain purpose of wash bulkheads, use of cross ties in tankers, procedures for testing of 
  bulkheads, Racking stress and transverse bulkheads.
- Compare water tightness and weather tightness.
- State W/T doors, mechanism, indicators and all associated valves must be inspected 
  once a week, All W/T doors in main transverse bulkhead must be operated daily, Drills 
  for operating W/T doors, side scuttles, valves and closing mechanisms must be held 
  weekly, Records of drills and inspections to be entered in the log book with record of any 
  defects.
- Explain categories of watertight doors (Class 1, Class 2, Class3), Rules regarding number 
  of openings in passenger ship and W/T doors, difference between water tight and 
  weather tight doors,
- Sketch and describe arrangement of power operated sliding W/T door, hinged W/T door 
  and means of securing them, Ramp doors of Ro-Ro ships, Ship side doors.
- Explain corrosion, erosion, corrosion triangle, formation of corrosion cell, Glavanic series 
  of metals, stress concentrations leading to corrosion cell formation, difference in surface 
  condition leading to formation of corrosion cells, cathodic protection using sacrificial 
  anodes.
- Describe Impressed current system, measures to minimise corrosion, treatment of steel 
  in shipyard.
- Explain structure of paint and purpose of each constituent, purpose of material safety 
  data sheets (MSDS).
- List common paint vehicle: drying oil, oleo-resins, alkyd resins, polymerizing chemicals 
  and bitumen and state suitability of each for various applications.
- Describe typical paint schemes for: underwater areas, boot topping, top sides, weather 
  decks, superstructures and tank interiors, surface preparation for painting, safety 
  precautions when using paints, how anti fouling paint acts, how anti corrosive paint acts.
- Define statutory and mandatory surveys
- Explain initial survey, intermediate survey, annual survey and renewal survey, 
  harmonised system of ship surveys, enhanced surveys, conditions assessment scheme 
  (CAS), conditions assessment programme (CAP) 

6.Ship safety, Damage control & Maintenance
- Explain purpose and objectives of LSA code, LSA requirement as per SOLAS.
- Explain how to draw a muster list and emergency instruction for a given crew and type 
  of vessel, how to assign duties, division of crew into command, emergency and backup 
  teams, how drills and practices should be organized keeping fatigue factor in 
  consideration, importance of debriefings after a drill, importance of steps to be taken to  
  follow up conclusions of any drill.
- Maintenance of operational condition of life saving fire fighting and other safety system.
- Actions to be taken to protect and safe guard all persons on board in emergencies.
- Explain methods and aids for fire preventions and detections and extinction: fire 
  prevention procedures, different types of fires and fire fighting equipments to be used, 
  fighting fire on different types of ships.
- Understands functions and use of life saving appliance: Different types of emergencies, 
  actions taken, life saving appliance and instructions to use it.
- Describe how to draw plans for maintenance and inspection of life saving, fire fighting 
  and other safety systems (Remote controlled W/T doors, Bilge alarms)
- Describe Procedure for maintenance of LSA (Lifeboat, launching appliance, life boat 
  equipment including radio life saving appliance, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suit 
  and thermal protective aids; life jackets: pyrotechnics: Line Throwing Apparatus), 
  procedure for maintenance of FFA (portable fire extinguishers; fire hydrants; fire hoses, 
  fire nozzles International Shore Connections; Fireman's outfit, Self contained breathing 
  apparatus, fire wallet, fire dampers, fire flaps and ventilators, EEBD).
- Describe actions to be taken in event of fire on own ship (accommodation, engine 
  rooms, cargo spaces and gallery).
- Explain how to draw plans to deal with: fire and explosion.
- List contents of emergency check list for fire explosion, collision, grounding.
- Explain Role of safety committee, purpose and objectives of code of safe working 
  practices, Dock safety regulations, Procedures for reporting of accidents, Security levels 
  and duties and responsibilities of every individual at various levels as per ISPS Code, 
  Action to be taken in case of piracy or armed robbery.
- Describe planned maintenance system (PMS), care and maintenance of ropes, wires, 
  accommodation ladders, pilot hoist and pilot ladders, W/T doors, mooring equipments, 
  hatch cover and cargo handling equipment.
- Demonstrate the knowledge of preparations of contingency plans for response to 
  emergencies: Drawing plans to deal with emergencies legal aspects and seamanship  
  practise.
- Understands ship construction with regards to damage control.
- Explain how to draw plan to deal with: Leakage and spills in dangerous cargoes, rescue 
  of victims from enclosed spaces, heavy weather damage, rescue of survivors from 
  another ship or sea, & abandon ship, Constructional features with regards to damage 
  control.
- State that the principles include: being calm and even in temperament when giving orders 
  and dealing with offenders, being honest and fair in all matters, and being firm when 
  necessary, treating all staff on the same basis, avoiding causing disappointment to staff,   
  avoiding making promises, having a proper attitude towards spokesmen or  
  representatives of trade unions, making allowances for differences in nationality, 
  language, religion and other cultural matters affecting behaviour and attitude, ensuring  
  that all staff feel that their services on board are appreciated.
- State the reason why people work: need to earn money, need to be a useful member of 
  society, need for security of their standard of living, need to use their manual and mental 
  skills and to derive satisfaction from them, and need to achieve their ambitions and 
  improve their status.
- State the appointment of a person to a higher rank gives authority, the real authority is 
  achieved when the person concerned demonstrates that he knows the work, is decisive, 
  decisions are generally correct, orders are clear and are quickly carried out without 
  argument, seeks advice when necessary and helps others, accept orders from superiors 
  and carry them out and accepted by those with whom he works.
- State training should be based on attitude, skill and knowledge.
- Explain the purpose of on-board training, why training should be relevant to the trainees 
  work and duties aboard ship, how to conduct a training session (purpose objective, 
  contents, mode of training, briefing and debriefing), importance of group activity, 
  demonstration and hands on experience.
- Explain principles underlying the ISM code, content and application of ISM code, 
  principles underlying STCW convention, content and application of the STCW 
  convention, hours of rest for watch keepers as per STCW and MLC.
- Explain signs of fatigue, causes of fatigue, the results, if fatigue is overlooked and / or 
  allowed to develop, need to maintain work/ rest hour records, importance of meetings on 
  board for planning, importance of safety committee.
- State personnel assignment depends upon knowledge, skill, experience, competence, 
  attitude, ship design, manning arrangements, external environmental conditions, reliability 
  of equipment and machinery, and operational conditions.
- State the work be planned, allocated, delegated, keeping in mind the time and resource 
  constraints, the importance of using all the available resources, with proper planning to 
  obtain optimum results.
- State importance of prioritizing the work, in different day to day scenarios.
- State the importance of allocating, assignment and prioritization of resources.
- Explain interactive and closed loop communication, importance of effective 
  communication, briefings and debriefings.
- Explain factors to be taken into consideration to allocate and delegate the tasks, effective 
  resource management taking into account the experience of the team, error chains and 
  explains how they can be avoided.
- Define authority and assertiveness, motivation.
- Explain need for a balance between authority and assertiveness, methods of motivation 
  and the importance of motivating the crew to obtain the optimum result.
- Explain the importance of obtaining and maintaining situational awareness.
- Explain method to carry out situation and risk assessment.
- Explain need to identify and generate all possible options, method of selecting effective 
  course of action.
- Explain need to evaluate the outcome effectiveness.
- Explain how to develop standard operating procedures (SOP's), methods to implement 
  the SOP's, reasons of over sighting of SOP's and the dangers associated with over sight.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Indian Navigator Roshin Mathew missing from 31 Oct 2011

KOTTAYAM: Four days after an Indian sailor went missing from a ship sailing in South China Sea, his parents in Kerala are waiting for a message that all is well. 
Roshan Mathew, 23, son of Cherian of Ottaplackal House in Manarcadu near Kottyam, had gone missing from a ship in South China Sea near Hong Kong since October 31. 
Roshan was working as a third officer in MV TS Japan, a ship owned by Synergy Maritime Pvt Ltd
The ship had started from Shekou Port in China and was heading towards Laem Chabang Port inThailand
Synergy Maritime has its Indian office in Chennai while its corporate office is in Japan. According to the information provided by the shipping company to Roshan’s parents, Hong Kong coast guard conducted search operation with aircraft and other ships in the sea to locate the missing sailor but did not succeed. 
“Now I have very little hope that my son would be alive. May be he would have been saved by some fishing boats,” Roshan’s father Cherian Mathew told TOI on Thursday. 
“Lot of fishing boats, both big and small, throng the sea near Hong Kong. Usually, if they rescue someone from sea, they would leave him only once they reach a port. That may take two to three weeks,” Cherian said. 
Cherian cited an incident when his friend’s son was rescued by a fishing boat and dropped in a remote village in Sri Lanka after three weeks. “The boy had to make a phone call from there to his parents to inform that he was alive,” he said hoping that something similar would happen in his son’s case also. 
Roshan had joined the ship only 15 days back. 
The company officials in Chennai informed Cherian that Roshan was on duty till 4pm October 31 (Monday) and was expected to get back to duty at 8pm and search operations were on since he was not found. 
Since the news of the mishap spread in Kottayam, local residents were trying their best to help the distressed family. They have alerted the authorities about the situation. “We have sent a letter to chief minister Oommen Chandy and Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi. We have also contacted Union defence minister A K Antony,” said Babu K Kora, president, Manaracadu panchayath. The representatives of the shipping company had also visited Roshan’s parents to apprise them about the turn of events.
This article came on TOI on 3rd Nov 2011.



Roshin with Vickram and his Frndz




Roshin with frndz
Roshin with Anushka Shetty and his frndz






Friday, August 3, 2012

Marine electronic highway IT systems handed over to Indonesia as Straits of Malacca and Singapore MEH comes closer to fruition

​The Marine Electronic Highway (MEH) Information Technology System for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which had been managed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has been handed over to the Government of Indonesia in a formal ceremony in Batam, Indonesia, marking the final stages of a demonstration project and the potential move towards a full-scale MEH project in the Straits, under the ownership of the littoral States.   
 
IMO Secretary-General Mr. Koji Sekimizu formally handed over the Batam MEH IT System to Mr. Leon Muhamad, Director General of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation (DGST), Indonesia, during a special ceremony on Friday (3 August 2012),which was also attended by representatives from ministries and agencies of Indonesia, the Local Government of Batam, the Marine Department of  Malaysia, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore, Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the International Hydrographic Organization, Nippon Maritime Center and the shipping industry.
 
 “What we are handing over today is a functioning facility that harnesses the power of information technology to assist safe navigation through a defined and limited part of the Straits,” Mr. Sekimizu said.
 
The Batam MEH IT System is one of the major deliverables of the MEH Demonstration Project, which has been under implementation since 2006, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF)/International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) (World Bank),with IMO as the executing agency. The Republic of Korea, through the Ministry of Land, Transport and Maritime Affairs (MLTM), also provided a grant amounting to US$850,000, which was used to develop and establish the system. 
 
The overall objective of the demonstration project has been to determine whether a full-scale MEH in the Straits of Malacca and Singapore can be economically justified and made financially feasible. The project is a co-operative arrangement with the three littoral States of Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore, in partnership with the Republic of Korea, the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO), the International Association of Independent Tanker Owners (INTERTANKO) and the International Chamber of Shipping (ICS).
 
The geographic boundary of the MEH Demonstration Project extends from One Fathom Bank in the Malacca Strait to Horsburgh Lighthouse in the Singapore Strait, including adjacent coastal provinces/states of Indonesia, peninsular Malaysia and Singapore.  This covers the whole traffic separation scheme for the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
 
The MEH Demonstration Project has been extended until the end of 2012, so that all its tasks can be completed and technical and financial evaluations of the Batam facility can be carried out.  Indonesia now takes on the responsibility for the operation, maintenance and management of the MEH IT System in Batam, while also working closely with Malaysia and Singapore on the regional MEH system beyond the demonstration phase.
 
Funding from the World Bank has been allocated to Indonesia in order to accelerate the implementation of activities that will enhance the safety of navigation along the Sumatran coast of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore by putting in place the relevant maritime safety infrastructure, not only to provide data to the MEH IT System but also to enhance the monitoring and management of the Indonesian coasts of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore.
 
“This handover of the MEH IT System to the DGST is a great opportunity for Indonesia to step up as one of the key partners in the establishment of a regional MEH System, together with Malaysia and Singapore,” Mr. Sekimizu said.
 
“We stand here today, not at the end of an initiative, but at the beginning of a wonderful new opportunity to help usher shipping into a new era of safety, efficiency and environmental sensitivity. For me, the development of the maritime infrastructure and the move towards new and improved ways of achieving enhanced navigation and traffic control are among the pillars of sustainable maritime development,” Mr. Sekimizu said.
 
“I firmly believe that the Marine Electronic Highway can be a great success – indeed, that it can provide a blueprint for similar schemes in other parts of the world; and that, collectively, they can have a massive beneficial effect on our global society which depends so much on the safe, secure, efficient and green carriage of trade, by sea”, Mr. Sekimizu said.
 
It is anticipated that the next steps in the creation of the MEH will involve Malaysia and Singapore establishing MEH Data Centres to house and operate MEH IT Systems similar to the Batam MEH IT System, in order to establish a regional network, to be called the MEH System. 
 
The Marine Electronic Highway of the Straits of Malacca and Singapore
The Straits of Malacca and Singapore, situated between Sumatra and the Malay peninsula, are approximately 1,000 kilometres long, 300 kilometres wide at their north-west entrance, and just 12 kilometres wide at their south-east entrance, between Singapore and Indonesia’s Riau Archipelago.
 
The Straits are shallow, with narrow channels, irregular tides and shifting bottom topography, and hence are hazardous to navigation for large ships. Despite their difficult navigational features, the Straits are the shortest and hence the preferred shipping route between the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, and for oil tankers trading between the Persian Gulf and East Asia.
 
The MEH system has both maritime safety and environmental modules.  Its environmental modules can be used in marine pollution response and control, for example, to predict the direction and speed of oil spills, and thereby assist in response and clean-up operations. It is also possible to use it to identify and track ships that illegally discharge their bilges or dump other oily wastes.
 
The MEH portal is at http://www.mehsoms.com/
 
Registered users can access data on maritime traffic in the Straits, and on wind, tides and currents, as well as electronic navigational chart (ENC)-based marine information overlays (MIOs), such as those indicating mangroves, coral reefs, special areas, etc.  (MIOs are spatial layers that, when overlaid on to an ENC at specific coordinates, provide additional information on that particular area in the ENC. For example, a tropical island generally has advancing foreshore mangrove forests and, in ENC, the areal extent of each mangrove forest is not delineated. However, it is delineated in an MIO and, when overlaid on the ENC, it provides added spatial information. This is useful in protected waters or areas designated as special areas).
 
Databases using Oracle store data received by the MEH IT System, including information on casualty incidents, maritime traffic conditions and weather.  These can be accessed at any time but not as real-time data sets.
Data feed and exchange are carried out between the MEH Data Centre in Batam, Malaysia (Marine Department) and Singapore (Maritime and Port Authority).