See what's in the 2021 Boatmaster syllabus

Boatmaster Syllabus Content 2021

A. PRACTICAL TEST?

(This test should take place on a vessel of a type for which the applicant is requiring a licence).?

1 Boat Handling:?

.1 Berthing and unberthing?

.2 Coming to and weighing anchor?

.3 Coming alongside another vessel?

.4 Making fast to and leaving a buoy?

.5 Boat manoeuvring in confined waters?

.6 Turning short round?

.7 Knowledge and effect of transverse thrust?

.8 Steering a compass course and taking a rough bearing?

.9 Practical demonstration on the use of VHF on board the applicant’s vessel. The holder must have knowledge of procedures used in radio telephone (VHF and MF) communications particularly with respect to distress, urgency, safety and navigational messages and of the adverse effect of misuse of such equipment.

B. ORAL EXAMINATION?

B1 Emergency Situations:?

.1 Recovery of man overboard?

.2 Loss of engines?

.3 Loss of steering ability?

.4 Action to take in the event of collision

.5 Grounding?

.6 Accident involving seafarer or passenger and medical emergencies?

.7 Use of extinguishing appliances and different types of fire extinguishers?

.8 Basic fire prevention measures – “The Fire Triangle” * *?

.9 Use of lifesaving appliances?

.10 Search and rescue techniques in bad weather or reduced visibility?

.11 Choosing an appropriate area for beaching?

B2 REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISION AT SEA:?

.1 A practical knowledge of the Rule of the Road as appropriate to the area of operation

.2 A full knowledge of the regulations?

.3 Keeping a good lookout?

.4 Keeping of a Deck Log

B3 LOCAL KNOWLEDGE AND REGULATIONS:?

.1 Actions to be taken in the event of injury or loss of life to a seafarer?

.2 Certification required by the vessel?

.3 Limits as to vessel operation?

B4 SEAMANSHIP:?

.1 Common nautical terms?

.2 Interaction with other vessels?

.3 The effect of wind and tide on the manoeuvrability?

.4 Securing and stowage of anchors and cable?

.5 Selection of a proper anchorage?

.6 The importance of navigating at reduced speed to avoid damage caused by own vessels bow or stern wave?

.7 The difference in handling of single screw and twin screw boats?

.8 Basic knowledge of hazards associated with towing?

B5 CHARTWORK:?

.1 The meaning of common chart symbols?

.2 The use of Tidal Diamonds?

.3 Position fixing?

.4 Courses to steer allowing for current and leeway

5 Familiarity with the use of parallel rules, dividers, compasses, deviation and variation tables?

.6 Basic voyage planning?

B6 LIFE-SAVING AND FIRE-FIGHTING APPLIANCES:?

.1 A knowledge of the statutory requirements and appreciation of the fact that the person in charge of a vessel must be satisfied that the lifesaving and fire-fighting appliances are properly maintained?

.2 Use and deployment of inflatable liferafts and inflatable or rescue boats?

.3 Inflatable liferaft and boat servicing requirements?

.4 Hydrostatic release units?

.5 Maintenance and care of buoyant apparatus?

B7 DISTRESS SIGNALS:?

.1 A knowledge of the contents of Annex IV of the Collision Regulations and the operation of the signals and equipment required to be carried in the applicant’s vessel

.2 Coast Guard response to distress signals?

.3 Action to aid location by rescuers

.4 Actions prior to abandonment?

B8 PASSENGER SAFETY:?

.1 Safety announcements (See regulation VIII/8)?

.2 Disposition of passengers and seafarers to ensure stability and trim?

.3 Passenger numbers and reporting systems (See regulation VIII/7)?

.4 Knowledge of emergency instructions (See regulation VIII/10) and methods of orderly evacuation following any emergency, having regard to the size of the vessel concerned and its operational area?

.5 Ability to demonstrate to passengers the use of personal lifesaving appliances

B9 LEGAL RESPONSIBILITIES TOWARDS PASSENGERS AND SEAFARERS:?

.1 Safe access?

.2 Safe working practices?

.3 SCV Safety Certificate and regulations relating thereto (See regulation I/15)?

.4 Basic security issues?

B10 WEATHER:?

.1 Meteorological services for information and the proper use of weather reports provided by radio, television or internet

.2 Local conditions and effects?

.3 Signs of approaching bad weather?

B11 ENGINEERING KNOWLEDGE:?

.1 Basic knowledge of day to day engine and battery checks?

.2 Knowledge of the servicing and routine maintenance of propulsion and auxiliary machinery?

.3 Knowledge of safety and shut off devices?

.4 Basic knowledge of running checks?

.5 Methods of fault detection, correction and emergency repairs?

B12 PUBLICATIONS:?

.1 Merchant Shipping Notices (as applicable)?

.2 Regulations (as applicable)?

.3 Navigation charts and tide tables?

B13 PREVENTION OF POLLUTION:?

.1 A general appreciation of the Regulations applicable to the prevention of all types of pollution

.2 Knowledge of the factors contributing to and precautions to be observed to prevent marine pollution when pumping out bilges and particularly, when changing lubricating oil? .3 Knowledge that disposal into the sea of all plastics, including but not limited to synthetic ropes, plastic sheeting and garbage bags etc., is prohibited

B14 ELECTRONIC AIDS TO NAVIGATION:?

.1 Knowledge of the use of Radar, AIS, Echo Sounder and Satellite Navigation or other position-finding device fitted on board the applicant’s vessel?

B15 BUOYAGE SYSTEMS:?

.1 Full knowledge of navigation lights, buoys and restrictions in the area of operation?

B16 OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:?

.1 Preparation of Deck Log?

.2 Procedures for entering and leaving a Port?

.3 Crew List?

.4 Passenger List?

.5 Vessel Insurance?

.6 Safety Management Systems and Report Preparation?

B17 BASIC KNOWLEDGE OF VESSEL CONSTRUCTION AND STABILITY:?

.1 General ideas on ship construction and on plans available on board the vessel, where these are carried?

.2 Maintaining watertight sub-division?

.3 General pumping arrangements?

.4 General principles of stability?

.5 Heeling forces and their causes?

.6 Wind Pressure on projected areas?

.7 Application and effects of asymmetric loading?

.8 Overtight mooring?

.9 Equilibrium in the heeled condition

.10 Simple dynamic balance?

.11 Effect of liquid free surface and its control?

.12 Cranes, their operation and safe operating limits?

.13 Outline knowledge of freeboard and trim?

.14 The use of stability and hydrostatic data where provided?

.15 Knowledge of the effect of severe wind and rolling in associated sea conditions, especially in following seas?

.16 Knowledge of the importance of not exceeding vessels load capacity?

.17 Hazards of enclosed space entry?

.18 Basic knowledge of safe carriage of dangerous goods?

B18 FIRST AID:?

.1 Knowledge of contents and instructions for the use of the first aid kit?

.2 Initial action, positioning and transportation of a casualty?

.3 Control of bleeding and improvised bandaging

.4 Knowledge of basic resuscitation techniques?

.5 Knowledge of basic treatment of burns etc.?

.6 Knowledge of basic shock management and casualty needs