Guidance

Master (yachts less than 3000 GT) Examination Syllabus

Published 26 January 2023

1. Navigation

1.1 Plan and conduct safe navigation

1. Passage planning with respect to the use of navigational publications including navigational charts (including ECDIS and RCDS), sailing directions, list of lights, tide tables, radio navigational warnings and ships’ routing information.
2. The requirements of ships routing and mandatory reporting systems.
3. IALA systems of maritime buoyage.
4. Electronic navigation systems – limitations and sources of error, methods of correction.
5. Radar and ARPA – practical use of, modes of operation, limitations, sources of error and parallel indexing.
6. Sources of meteorological information, ability to use and interpret information obtained from shipboard meteorological instruments (the instruments supplied by the Meteorological Office will be taken as standard), knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems, reporting and recording systems.

1.2 Establishing safe navigational watchkeeping arrangements and procedures

1. A thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watchkeeping at sea, including under pilotage, and watchkeeping at anchor and in port.
2. A thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (ColRegs).
3. Conduct in or near Traffic Separation Schemes and Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) areas.
4. Understand the use of bridge equipment, including course recorders, echo sounders and NAVTEX.
5. Knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot, operational procedures and change-over from manual to automatic and vice versa, adjustment of controls for optimum performance.
6. Knowledge and application of the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide.
7. A knowledge of the principles of establishing a safe engineering watch at sea, at anchor and in port.

1.3 Compasses

1. Use, care and limitations of the magnetic and gyro compasses and associated equipment including automatic pilot.

1.4 Ship manoeuvring

1. Conning the ship, effects of wind and current and limited under keel clearance; Interaction and squat.
2. Berthing and unberthing at jetties, quays, mooring buoys with/without tugs, with/without tidal streams, with/without winds.
3. Manoeuvres in restricted waters and open waters.
4. Embarking and disembarking pilots.
5. Limitations of remote control operation of marine power plant and auxiliary machinery.
6. Anchors:
   1. different types of anchors and their advantages and disadvantages;
   2. preparation for anchoring;
   3. anchoring in a tideway and in confined waters;
   4. operation of anchoring with a single anchor and use of a second anchor;
   5. dragging anchor;
   6. clearing a fouled anchor and hawse;
   7. hanging off an anchor;
   8. breaking and slipping cables;
   9. getting under way.
7. Navigation in the vicinity of ice, ice reporting and steps to be taken in the event of ice accretion.
8. Manoeuvres to launch and recover rescue boats and survival craft.

2. Response to Emergencies

2.1 Response to navigational emergencies

1. Measures to be taken following: accidental damage including collision, grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, including the possibility of beaching a ship, and protection of the marine environment.
2. Knowledge of the effect on trim and stability, and subsequent actions in the event of damage to and consequent flooding of a compartment.
3. Preparations and precautions for towing and being towed.
4. Use of the International Aeronautical and Marine Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual (Vol. III), distress and emergency signals, Search and Rescue (SAR) around the UK and world-wide.
5. Knowledge of the operation of emergency steering systems.

2.2 Response to other emergencies

1. The organisation and direction of fire-fighting and abandon ship parties.
2. Methods of dealing with fire onboard ship; prevention of fire at sea and in port.
3. Action to be taken to prevent spread of fire.
4. Operation, maintenance and testing of fire-fighting equipment, fire doors, dampers, screens and detection equipment.
5. Operation, maintenance and testing of watertight doors, side scuttles and scuppers.
6. Launch, manage and ensure survival in survival craft, recover survival craft at sea and beach or land survival craft.
7. Operation, maintenance and testing of lifesaving appliances.
8. Knowledge of the contents of the SOLAS training manual.
9. Action to be taken when disabled and in distress.
10. Assisting a ship or aircraft in distress; rescuing the passengers and crew of a disabled ship or ditched aircraft.
11. Safety during helicopter operations.

3. Onboard Ship Operation

3.1 Compliance with pollution requirements

1. Measures to be taken to prevent pollution in port and at sea.
2. Take appropriate action in response to pollution incidents onboard and found at sea.
3. Knowledge of the contents of the SOPEP Manual, Garbage Management Plan and use of provided anti-pollution equipment.
4. Practical knowledge of the requirements of the MARPOL Convention.
5. Knowledge of responsibilities, duties, obligations and liabilities in respect of pollution.

3.2 Seaworthiness of the ship

1. Preparations for sea prior to sailing with respect to watertight integrity and additional precautions to be taken before the onset of heavy weather.
2. Practical knowledge of the particular loadline items affecting seaworthiness.
3. Action in the event of ingress of water into the hull.
4. Preparation for dry-docking and undocking with and without damage, general procedure and precautions to be observed.
5. Use and care of deck machinery commonly fitted.

3.3 Crew management

1. Knowledge of personnel management, organisation and training including disciplinary procedures.
2. Application of hours of work legislation.

3.4 Maintain safety of ships crew and passengers

1. Master’s responsibility with respect to stowaways and prevention of smuggling.
2. Precautions to safeguard against terrorism, piracy and robbery.

3.5 Legislative requirements

1. Knowledge and application of current Merchant Shipping Health and Safety legislation including the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen^{[footnote 1]} and the main elements of risk assessment.
2. Improvement and prohibition notices.
3. Safe manning, crew agreements, conditions of employment, Official Log Book and the law relating to entries.
4. Understanding of loadline marks, entries and reports in respect of freeboard, draft and allowances.
5. Routine inspection of living quarters, storerooms and complaints procedures.
6. Requirement for records including Oil Record Book.
7. Requirements for drills and training.
8. The requirements of the regulations concerning fire-fighting appliances.
9. Knowledge of the requirements of the regulations concerning life-saving equipment.
10. Knowledge of international conventions relevant to the operation of ships, including certificates and other documentation required to carried onboard ships.
11. The requirements for statutory and classification surveys.
12. Reports required by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
13. Obligations with respect to pilotage.
14. Towage and salvage agreements.
15. Purpose of Flag State and Port State Control.
16. Purpose and application of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
17. Purpose and application of the International Ship and Port Security Code (ISPS) .
18. Documentation required for vessel under 3000GT.

1. SI 1998/1838 The Merchant Shipping (Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen) Regulations 1998 or any subsequent amendment ↩