CLASS (I) ORALS QUESTIONS
CLASS (II) ORALS QUESTIONS
CLASS (III) ORALS QUESTIONS
The Following questions are added as Class I orals questions....
The Following questions are added as Class II orals questions....
The Following questions are added as Class III orals questions....
Please click here to goto answers page..........
PAGE 01
1. After completing the 8–12 night watch at sea and hand- ing over to the 2nd
Officer, what would be your actions?
2. What specific items/topics would you include, when handing over the navigation
watch to another relief Officer?
3.While acting as OOW, you encounter deterioration in the condition of visibility.
What action would you take?
4.When would you consider it necessary, as OOW, to call the Master?
5.When on watch at night, the alarm for the non-function of navigation lights is
activated, what action would you take as OOW?
6.When approaching a pilot station, to take the Marine Pilot, you are sent down
below to meet the pilot on deck at the ladder position. What actions would you take when at
the ladder position?
7.As the OOW, how often would you be expected to take an azimuth/amplitude in order
to obtain a compass error?
8.When the vessel is at anchor, what would you consider as the main functions of
the OOW?
9.When approaching a pilotage station, when you require a pilot, describe the
actions and duties of the OOW.
10.When instructed to inspect, check and test the bridge navigation equipment,
prior to sailing, what actions would you take?
11.While at sea, during your bridge watch, a man is lost overboard from an
amidships position. What would be your immediate actions as OOW?
12.Following a man overboard incident the OOW has carried out the immediate
required actions of raising the alarm, SBE, MoB lifebuoy release and altered course. What
subsequent actions should be carried out by the Officer?
13.When engaged in coastal navigation, would you use the Admiralty List of Lights
and Fog Signals? And if so, how would you use it?
14.While holding the watch at anchor, you see another ves- sel at anchor display
the ‘Y’ Flag. What would you assume from this?
15.What three types of notices, promulgate marine infor- mation to ships and
seafarers?
16.What are the duties of the OOW when in pilotage waters, with a pilot on board?
17.While on watch during a coastal passage, you sight a ves- sel aground, on a
bearing of approximately one (1) point off the port bow. What action would you take?
18.When involved in making up a ‘passage plan’, what prin- ciples would you employ
in its construction?
19.When on watch at sea, specific signs indicate the possi- ble presence of a
tropical revolving storm in the area. What positive evi- dence would you take into account
to show this is so in the absence of radio information?
20.What is contained in the ‘Weekly Notices to Mariners’ and what would you use the
information for?
21.How would you ascertain the reliability of the naviga- tion chart?
22.When on watch at night, how would you know that the visibility was
deteriorating?
23.What is a ship reporting system and what is its function?
24.While on watch at sea in the North Atlantic you receive an iceberg warning from
the International Ice Patrol providing iceberg positions. What would you do?
25.When involved in a coastal passage, in clear weather, how would you ascertain
the vessels position to ensure that the ship is maintaining her course?
26.What is expected of you as the designated prime look- out when acting as OOW?
27.What is a ‘Mason’s hygrometer’ and what is it used for?
28.For what would you use a hydrometer when aboard ship?
29.When reading the precision aneroid barometer, what corrections would you make to
the reading?
30.How would you check that the azimuth bearing circle, of the compass was correct?
31.What is the liquid found inside a magnetic compass bowl?
32.The purpose of the alcohol in the liquid compass was to prevent the fluid from
freezing in cold, high latitudes. What was the purpose of the distilled water in the
mixture?
33.How would you check the performance of the radar on the navigation bridge?
34.When taking a visual three-point position fix, you find the charted plot produces
a ‘cocked hat’. What would you do?
35.How would you test the steering gear prior to the vessel departing from a port?
36.What information can you obtain from a barograph?
37.When joining a ship for the first time, how would you ascertain if the vessel had
any ‘Blind Sectors’ affecting the radar(s)?
38.When ascertaining risk of collision with another vessel, it is normal practice
to take a series of ‘compass bearings’ as per the COLREGS (Reference Rule 7(d)(i), see
Appendix B). Why would you use ‘compass bearings’?
39.What are the three correctable errors that exist on a marine sextant?
40.Where would you find the instrument error for a marine sextant?
41.What is Collimation, with reference to the marine sextant?
42.What are the non-correctable errors that are found with the marine sextant?
43.Where would you find the ‘lubber line’?
44.While on watch you notice that the magnetic compass card is shuddering, what do
you think might be wrong with the instrument?
45.When obtaining the density of the dock water using a sample bucket of water
obtained from the dock, how would you ensure accuracy of your hydrometer reading?
46.When taking a position fix by use of the azimuth bearing circle, the charted
position shows an enlarged ‘cocked hat’. What would you do?
47.How often do you test and check the ship’s steering gear?
48.How are the ship’s chronometers maintained?
49.What is the compass error and when do you apply it?
50.While on watch the ‘off course alarm’ is activated. What actions would you take
as the Officer of the Watch?
51.On a Roll On–Roll Off (Ro-Ro) vessel you are on sta- tions on the bridge prior
to sailing. The cargo load has just completed. How would you know that the stern ramp, and
bow door/visor are locked down and secured ready for sea?
52.Men are assigned to clean and paint the radar scanner tower. What precautions
would you take as OOW? (Assume that the vessel is in open water and clear visibility.)
53.How is the pump room of a tanker, fire protected?
54.What are the parts of a ‘stockless anchor’?
55.What is the length of a shackle of anchor cable?
56.How are shackle lengths joined together?
57.How would you secure the Stockless Anchor, when the vessel is about to proceed
outward bound to sea?
58.What is considered ‘Good Holding Ground’ for the anchor?
59.What is considered ‘Bad Holding’ ground for the anchor?
60.How does the anchor arrangement hold the ship teth- ered in one position?
61.What type of braking system, do you find on the ship’s windlass?
62.How is the ‘bitter end’ of the anchor cable secured inside the chain locker?
63.How would you break a Kenter, Lugless joining shackle?
64.What prevents the spile pin from accidentally falling out of the joining shackle
with the vibration caused in the cable when operating anchors and cables?
65.Where would you find the ‘ganger length’ on an anchor cable?
66.What and where is the ‘snug’ on a windlass?
67.How do you know, after letting go the anchor, when the vessel is brought up?
68.How would you normally pump out the chain locker, aboard a general cargo vessel?
69.What is the advantage of mooring using two anchors as opposed to a single
anchor?
70.How would you measure the size of anchor cable?
71.How would you prepare an anchor for ‘letting go’ when coming in from sea?
72.How would you test the brake on the windlass?
73.When in Dry Dock, it is decided to ‘end for end’ the anchor cables. Once this
operation is completed, what action must now be carried out before the cables are returned
to the chain lockers?
74.When weighing the anchor, when would you inform the bridge that the anchor is
‘aweigh’?
75.What is the difference between ‘short stay’ and ‘long stay’?
76.What ‘day signal’ must a vessel display when lying to her anchor?
77.What is the fog signal for a vessel at anchor?
78.Where would you expect to find a swivel link in the anchor cable?
79.What type of bow stoppers do you know?
80.What is the range of the anchor lights of a vessel over 50m in length?
81.What is the difference between a ‘fouled anchor’ and a ‘fouled hawse’?
82.While acting as OOW aboard a vessel riding to a single anchor, you observe that
the vessel is yawing excessively from side to side. What are the dangers of this and what
action would be expected?
83.What do you understand by the term ‘stowage factor’?
84.What is ‘broken stowage’?
85.What is ‘Grain Space’?
86.What is ‘bale space’?
87.How could you separate similar cargoes but destined for different Ports of
discharge?
88.How would you prepare a cargo hold for the carriage of ‘Grain’?
89.What is the purpose of ‘dunnage’?
90.While engaged in loading a tanker, a malfunction occurs in the inert gas system
(IGS). What should the Cargo Officer of the Deck do?
91.What are the main concerns for the Chief Officer if the vessel is scheduled to
carry timber as deck cargo?
92.How would you load bags of ‘Mail’ and what precautions would you take aboard a
general cargo vessel?
93.If your vessel is fitted with 5ton safe working load (SWL) derricks could you load
a 4.5ton weight?
94.Tanker vessels employ an IGS when engaged in loading. What prevents inert gas
flowing backwards, towards the accommodation?
95.What alarms would you expect to find on an IGS?
96.How would you stow 500 drums of corrosive liquid as deck cargo?
97.What ventilation would you expect to provide to a full bulk cargo of coal?
98.What is the ‘ullage’ in a cargo oil tank?
99.What type of slinging arrangement would be employed to lift steel ‘H’ girders on
board?
100.Cargo ‘pump rooms’ must be fitted with certain alarm systems. What are these
alarms?
101.What do you understand by the term ‘flashpoint’?
102.What goods require a magazine stowage?
103.What is cargo sweat?
104.What is the function of a cargo plan?
105.How would you stow 40ft drop trailers in the vehicle deck of a Roll On–Roll Off
Vessel?
106.How is the maximum load on a vehicle ramp determined?
107.What precautions would you take prior to loading chemicals?
108.While working cargo in port the fire alarm is activated. What would you do as
the Duty Cargo officer at the time?
109.What is the difference between a ‘hounds band’ and a ‘spider band’on a derrick?
110.What marking would you expect to find on the binding of a metal block?
111.What is the difference between a ‘head block’ and a ‘heel block’?
112.As Officer of the Deck, when would you inspect the rigging of the derricks or
cranes?
113.When doubling up a derrick, what lifting tackle is made?
114.What is the purpose of the heart inside a flexible steel wire rope?
115.What is the construction of a crane wire?
116.Where would you expect to find a ‘Union Plate’ on a derrick rig?
117.What is a ‘schooner guy’?
118.What is the difference between ‘standing rigging’ and ‘running rigging’?
119.How would you normally secure a pilot ladder?
120.When would you expect a steel wire rope to be condemned?
121.How do you know a rope has been approved and designated for use with Life
Saving Appliances?
122.How would you supervise the breaking out of a new coil of mooring rope?
123.How would you supervise the painting of the ship’s bow by use of stages?
124.When taking a docking tug, how would you secure the tugs wire towline?
125.When acting as the Mooring Officer, at the ship’s aft station, what would be
your main concerns and priorities?
126.How would you apply a chain stopper to a mooring wire when transferring the
mooring from the winch drum to the ‘bitts’?
127.When employing ‘bulldog wire rope grips’, how would you secure them?
128.What would you use ‘seizing wire’ for?
129.When splicing an eye into a mooring rope, what tools and implements would you
need to use?
130.How would you join two wire hawsers together (without eye splicing) to take
exceptional weight as in a towline?
131.When would you employ a Spanish eye? (Sometimes referred to as a reduced eye or
a Flemish eye.)
132.What hitch would you use when securing a boatswains chair to a gantline?
PAGE 02
PAGE 01
1. After completing the 8–12 night watch at sea and hand- ing over to the 2nd
Officer, what would be your actions?
2. What specific items/topics would you include, when handing over the navigation
watch to another relief Officer?
3.While acting as OOW, you encounter deterioration in the condition of visibility.
What action would you take?
4.When would you consider it necessary, as OOW, to call the Master?
5.When on watch at night, the alarm for the non-function of navigation lights is
activated, what action would you take as OOW?
6.When approaching a pilot station, to take the Marine Pilot, you are sent down
below to meet the pilot on deck at the ladder position. What actions would you take when at
the ladder position?
7.As the OOW, how often would you be expected to take an azimuth/amplitude in order
to obtain a compass error?
8.When the vessel is at anchor, what would you consider as the main functions of
the OOW?
9.When approaching a pilotage station, when you require a pilot, describe the
actions and duties of the OOW.
10.When instructed to inspect, check and test the bridge navigation equipment,
prior to sailing, what actions would you take?
11.While at sea, during your bridge watch, a man is lost overboard from an
amidships position. What would be your immediate actions as OOW?
12.Following a man overboard incident the OOW has carried out the immediate
required actions of raising the alarm, SBE, MoB lifebuoy release and altered course. What
subsequent actions should be carried out by the Officer?
13.When engaged in coastal navigation, would you use the Admiralty List of Lights
and Fog Signals? And if so, how would you use it?
14.While holding the watch at anchor, you see another ves- sel at anchor display
the ‘Y’ Flag. What would you assume from this?
15.What three types of notices, promulgate marine infor- mation to ships and
seafarers?
16.What are the duties of the OOW when in pilotage waters, with a pilot on board?
17.While on watch during a coastal passage, you sight a ves- sel aground, on a
bearing of approximately one (1) point off the port bow. What action would you take?
18.When involved in making up a ‘passage plan’, what prin- ciples would you employ
in its construction?
19.When on watch at sea, specific signs indicate the possi- ble presence of a
tropical revolving storm in the area. What positive evi- dence would you take into account
to show this is so in the absence of radio information?
20.What is contained in the ‘Weekly Notices to Mariners’ and what would you use the
information for?
21.How would you ascertain the reliability of the naviga- tion chart?
22.When on watch at night, how would you know that the visibility was
deteriorating?
23.What is a ship reporting system and what is its function?
24.While on watch at sea in the North Atlantic you receive an iceberg warning from
the International Ice Patrol providing iceberg positions. What would you do?
25.When involved in a coastal passage, in clear weather, how would you ascertain
the vessels position to ensure that the ship is maintaining her course?
26.What is expected of you as the designated prime look- out when acting as OOW?
27.What is a ‘Mason’s hygrometer’ and what is it used for?
28.For what would you use a hydrometer when aboard ship?
29.When reading the precision aneroid barometer, what corrections would you make to
the reading?
30.How would you check that the azimuth bearing circle, of the compass was correct?
31.What is the liquid found inside a magnetic compass bowl?
32.The purpose of the alcohol in the liquid compass was to prevent the fluid from
freezing in cold, high latitudes. What was the purpose of the distilled water in the
mixture?
33.How would you check the performance of the radar on the navigation bridge?
34.When taking a visual three-point position fix, you find the charted plot produces
a ‘cocked hat’. What would you do?
35.How would you test the steering gear prior to the vessel departing from a port?
36.What information can you obtain from a barograph?
37.When joining a ship for the first time, how would you ascertain if the vessel had
any ‘Blind Sectors’ affecting the radar(s)?
38.When ascertaining risk of collision with another vessel, it is normal practice
to take a series of ‘compass bearings’ as per the COLREGS (Reference Rule 7(d)(i), see
Appendix B). Why would you use ‘compass bearings’?
39.What are the three correctable errors that exist on a marine sextant?
40.Where would you find the instrument error for a marine sextant?
41.What is Collimation, with reference to the marine sextant?
42.What are the non-correctable errors that are found with the marine sextant?
43.Where would you find the ‘lubber line’?
44.While on watch you notice that the magnetic compass card is shuddering, what do
you think might be wrong with the instrument?
45.When obtaining the density of the dock water using a sample bucket of water
obtained from the dock, how would you ensure accuracy of your hydrometer reading?
46.When taking a position fix by use of the azimuth bearing circle, the charted
position shows an enlarged ‘cocked hat’. What would you do?
47.How often do you test and check the ship’s steering gear?
48.How are the ship’s chronometers maintained?
49.What is the compass error and when do you apply it?
50.While on watch the ‘off course alarm’ is activated. What actions would you take
as the Officer of the Watch?
51.On a Roll On–Roll Off (Ro-Ro) vessel you are on sta- tions on the bridge prior
to sailing. The cargo load has just completed. How would you know that the stern ramp, and
bow door/visor are locked down and secured ready for sea?
52.Men are assigned to clean and paint the radar scanner tower. What precautions
would you take as OOW? (Assume that the vessel is in open water and clear visibility.)
53.How is the pump room of a tanker, fire protected?
54.What are the parts of a ‘stockless anchor’?
55.What is the length of a shackle of anchor cable?
56.How are shackle lengths joined together?
57.How would you secure the Stockless Anchor, when the vessel is about to proceed
outward bound to sea?
58.What is considered ‘Good Holding Ground’ for the anchor?
59.What is considered ‘Bad Holding’ ground for the anchor?
60.How does the anchor arrangement hold the ship teth- ered in one position?
61.What type of braking system, do you find on the ship’s windlass?
62.How is the ‘bitter end’ of the anchor cable secured inside the chain locker?
63.How would you break a Kenter, Lugless joining shackle?
64.What prevents the spile pin from accidentally falling out of the joining shackle
with the vibration caused in the cable when operating anchors and cables?
65.Where would you find the ‘ganger length’ on an anchor cable?
66.What and where is the ‘snug’ on a windlass?
67.How do you know, after letting go the anchor, when the vessel is brought up?
68.How would you normally pump out the chain locker, aboard a general cargo vessel?
69.What is the advantage of mooring using two anchors as opposed to a single
anchor?
70.How would you measure the size of anchor cable?
71.How would you prepare an anchor for ‘letting go’ when coming in from sea?
72.How would you test the brake on the windlass?
73.When in Dry Dock, it is decided to ‘end for end’ the anchor cables. Once this
operation is completed, what action must now be carried out before the cables are returned
to the chain lockers?
74.When weighing the anchor, when would you inform the bridge that the anchor is
‘aweigh’?
75.What is the difference between ‘short stay’ and ‘long stay’?
76.What ‘day signal’ must a vessel display when lying to her anchor?
77.What is the fog signal for a vessel at anchor?
78.Where would you expect to find a swivel link in the anchor cable?
79.What type of bow stoppers do you know?
80.What is the range of the anchor lights of a vessel over 50m in length?
81.What is the difference between a ‘fouled anchor’ and a ‘fouled hawse’?
82.While acting as OOW aboard a vessel riding to a single anchor, you observe that
the vessel is yawing excessively from side to side. What are the dangers of this and what
action would be expected?
83.What do you understand by the term ‘stowage factor’?
84.What is ‘broken stowage’?
85.What is ‘Grain Space’?
86.What is ‘bale space’?
87.How could you separate similar cargoes but destined for different Ports of
discharge?
88.How would you prepare a cargo hold for the carriage of ‘Grain’?
89.What is the purpose of ‘dunnage’?
90.While engaged in loading a tanker, a malfunction occurs in the inert gas system
(IGS). What should the Cargo Officer of the Deck do?
91.What are the main concerns for the Chief Officer if the vessel is scheduled to
carry timber as deck cargo?
92.How would you load bags of ‘Mail’ and what precautions would you take aboard a
general cargo vessel?
93.If your vessel is fitted with 5ton safe working load (SWL) derricks could you load
a 4.5ton weight?
94.Tanker vessels employ an IGS when engaged in loading. What prevents inert gas
flowing backwards, towards the accommodation?
95.What alarms would you expect to find on an IGS?
96.How would you stow 500 drums of corrosive liquid as deck cargo?
97.What ventilation would you expect to provide to a full bulk cargo of coal?
98.What is the ‘ullage’ in a cargo oil tank?
99.What type of slinging arrangement would be employed to lift steel ‘H’ girders on
board?
100.Cargo ‘pump rooms’ must be fitted with certain alarm systems. What are these
alarms?
101.What do you understand by the term ‘flashpoint’?
102.What goods require a magazine stowage?
103.What is cargo sweat?
104.What is the function of a cargo plan?
105.How would you stow 40ft drop trailers in the vehicle deck of a Roll On–Roll Off
Vessel?
106.How is the maximum load on a vehicle ramp determined?
107.What precautions would you take prior to loading chemicals?
108.While working cargo in port the fire alarm is activated. What would you do as
the Duty Cargo officer at the time?
109.What is the difference between a ‘hounds band’ and a ‘spider band’on a derrick?
110.What marking would you expect to find on the binding of a metal block?
111.What is the difference between a ‘head block’ and a ‘heel block’?
112.As Officer of the Deck, when would you inspect the rigging of the derricks or
cranes?
113.When doubling up a derrick, what lifting tackle is made?
114.What is the purpose of the heart inside a flexible steel wire rope?
115.What is the construction of a crane wire?
116.Where would you expect to find a ‘Union Plate’ on a derrick rig?
117.What is a ‘schooner guy’?
118.What is the difference between ‘standing rigging’ and ‘running rigging’?
119.How would you normally secure a pilot ladder?
120.When would you expect a steel wire rope to be condemned?
121.How do you know a rope has been approved and designated for use with Life
Saving Appliances?
122.How would you supervise the breaking out of a new coil of mooring rope?
123.How would you supervise the painting of the ship’s bow by use of stages?
124.When taking a docking tug, how would you secure the tugs wire towline?
125.When acting as the Mooring Officer, at the ship’s aft station, what would be
your main concerns and priorities?
126.How would you apply a chain stopper to a mooring wire when transferring the
mooring from the winch drum to the ‘bitts’?
127.When employing ‘bulldog wire rope grips’, how would you secure them?
128.What would you use ‘seizing wire’ for?
129.When splicing an eye into a mooring rope, what tools and implements would you
need to use?
130.How would you join two wire hawsers together (without eye splicing) to take
exceptional weight as in a towline?
131.When would you employ a Spanish eye? (Sometimes referred to as a reduced eye or
a Flemish eye.)
132.What hitch would you use when securing a boatswains chair to a gantline?
PAGE 02