Masters Orals Question?

[calamitys38]

Was asked following today:

"You have just been called to the bridge as the 2nd Mate has seen a South Cardinal Mark dead ahead. (You are travelling due West). What actions would you take?"

I suggested that after altering course (to port) to avoid the buoy, ask the OOW what's going on - i.e. where are you? You would not have planned to see a South Cardinal ahead on your passage plan, therefore the implications are either:

a) You are not where you think you are or,
b) The buoy has broken adrift and it is not where it should be or,
c) A combination of (a) and (b) above.

In any event a reduction in speed and/or stop should be considered until your position has been verified by as many alternative methods as possible.

Anyone have anything to add?

 

[leomagill]

d: Panic briefly before cracking open another beer and sparking up a freshly rolled spliff then say to swmbo 'you'd better drive dear'.

I've failed havn't I. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Poignard]

As navigation on a Merchant ship is the 2nd Mate's job, I'd expect him to tell me what's going on.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

If a nav mark turns up where you're not expecting it to be, obviously the first thought should be that you're not in a position that you ought to be. The prudent action would be to stop, take a fix from some verifiable landmarks and plot your position on a chart and also check that your fix agrees with your GPS position as it's possible the GPS is giving a false position. You can also read the depth sounder to check whether the depth it is giving is consistent with the position you think you are at.
If you are sure about your position, then you can plot an appropriate course which is probably to turn to port to go south of the cardinal mark. But it also depends on whether the S Cardinal marks a hazard which is actually a danger to your craft. It might mark some shoals but if your craft has a shallow draft, the shoal might not be a danger to you. So, if a turn to port puts you on a collision course with another craft, you may be able to consider a turn to starboard to go north of the mark

 

[Richard10002]

In my 2nd mates ticket exam in 1984, (or so), the answer would have been to simply alter course to port to pass to the south of the buoy. Never any issue over not knowing where you are - perhaps Masters ticket needs to be more thorough.

If the 2nd mate calls you to the bridge to take some action over a South Cardinal mark, there is no point expecting him to have the answers /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[mjf]

Mike if you go North you are running into the danger as the safe water is south of the mark.

Unless you know that the mark is adrift from your recently confirmed (none GPS) fix much better if you cannot go to port is to consider taking way off.

 

[Deleted User YDKXO]

Yup, I know but this is what I said

[ QUOTE ]
But it also depends on whether the S Cardinal marks a hazard which is actually a danger to your craft. It might mark some shoals but if your craft has a shallow draft, the shoal might not be a danger to you. So, if a turn to port puts you on a collision course with another craft, you may be able to consider a turn to starboard to go north of the mark


[/ QUOTE ]

 

[mjf]

Sorry !


think I got a call and was distracted as did not read yours properly this coupled to my Battleship Courses whatever mentality.......

 

[Dyflin]

They will also want to hear about checking the GPS being in DR mode as famously happened in one instance and they love to hear about it now. Alternatively, the answer the want to hear is to turn the ship around 180 degrees and proceed along a reciprocal course as you entered into the "danger zone" without mishap and could get out along the same route.

Also, it is not the 2nd's job to navigate, it is the officer of the watch's job which can include the captain depending on crew size, circumstances and individual preferences of old men.

 

[nonitoo]

[ QUOTE ]
Also, it is not the 2nd's job to navigate, it is the officer of the watch's job which can include the captain depending on crew size, circumstances and individual preferences of old men.

[/ QUOTE ]

On my ships the navigator was the 2nd Officer. He formulated the passage plan and agreed this with me. The Officers of the Watch then followed this plan, deviating only where circumstances, and my agreement with their decision, permitted.

I do not include minor alterations of course for COLREG observation in the above.

Tom

 

[Dyflin]

So the other OOWs were exempt from fixing the ships position during their watch?

Talk about splitting hairs...

Navigate:
1. To plan, record, and control the course and position of (a ship or aircraft).
2. To follow a planned course on, across, or through.

 

[Refueler]

[ QUOTE ]
As navigation on a Merchant ship is the 2nd Mate's job, I'd expect him to tell me what's going on.

[/ QUOTE ]

Pity 2nd Mate doesn't stay on permament 24 / 7 watch though ... He may draw up the charts and do the noon calcs etc. / days run etc. - but individual watches nav is not his responsibility - that is each OOW and finally the Masters.

The question is really an old one that is less relevant nowadays - because with GPS etc. there's no reason for ships to be guessing between sights or position fixes. Ships before advent of Transit and later GPS were at times blind for days while waiting for break in clouds for a sight ... or landfall.

 

[Richard10002]

[ QUOTE ]
The question is really an old one that is less relevant nowadays - because with GPS etc. there's no reason for ships to be guessing between sights or position fixes. Ships before advent of Transit and later GPS were at times blind for days while waiting for break in clouds for a sight ... or landfall.

[/ QUOTE ]

or an unexpected South Cardinal Buoy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

In fact, in some circumstances, you could imagine a skipper ordering a course directly to the buoy, so as to read its' name, and establish position /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Refueler]

Question I had in first Aural Exam ....

You are Sailing Master on a square rigger ... what should you ensure you do BEFORE docking to a high sided dock ?

Answer is make sure yards are fore & aft as well as fendering.

Old sailors don't die - they just smell that way !