Appendix 3 - Syllabus for AMSA Oral Examination, Certificates of Competency,
Watchkeeper, Deck & Mate <500 GT Watckeeper only
Notes to Candidates
- It should be noted that the following is not a fully detailed list of
orals questions, but a list of topics about which the candidate is expected
to have adequate knowledge, and is provided for the guidance of candidates
only
- The Examiner may ask any questions relevant to the following topic areas,
and / or ask the candidate to provide answers in diagrammatic form, or
to complete simple calculations, to the extent necessary to test the candidates
competency in the operational and safety aspects related to the duties
of the Watch-keeper Deck certificate.
- Candidates for both Watch-keeper Deck and Mate < 500 GT (Watch-keeper
only) grades of certificate can be asked questions from all sections listed,
however the focus of the questions and the assessment, will be related
to the main operational responsibilities and shipboard duties involved
in the certificate being applied for.
- Candidates should note that they may be required to demonstrate their
proficiency in practical RADAR plotting and chart-work.
- During the examination, candidates will be required to demonstrate that
they possess an adequate knowledge and understanding in the use of the
English language
Section 1 Operations
- Knowledge of appropriate Australian legislation, statutory requirements,
and the application thereof.
- Knowledge of relevant International Codes and Conventions and the
application thereof.
- Knowledge of a ships certification, the roll of Port State control
and Flag State Control Officers and classification societies.
- Knowledge of Australian OH & S legislation as it applies to the
maritime industry.
- Knowledge of ship and equipment surveys.
- Responsibilities and duties of shipboard personnel
Section 2 - Standards of Watch-keeping
- A detailed understanding of the principals to be observed in keeping
a bridge watch at sea and at anchor, under pilotage as well as keeping
a cargo watch.
- Bridge teamwork principles
Section 3 - Bridge Equipment
- Basic principles and knowledge of the different types of bridge and
navigation equipment found on a ship, along with the operation, testing,
errors and precautions associated with the use of such equipment.
Section 4 Navigation, Charts and Publications
- A full understanding of the use of the information contained in Australian,
IMO, and Admiralty publications pertaining to safe navigation, and the
maintenance of such publications.
- Basic knowledge of ship reporting systems and the promulgation of
safety information.
- Knowledge of the information found on charts, including electronic
charts, and the use of that information.
- An understanding of the general principles of voyage planning
- Aspects of practical navigation as a watchkeeper including basic tidal
calculations, amplitudes and compass errors
Section 5 - Stress and Stability
- Knowledge of Load lines and draft marks
- Knowledge of using the ships stability booklet to assess ship stability,
and the IMO minimum stability criteria.
- Knowledge of the principles of ship stability, and the ability to
interpret those principles
- Basic calculations involving list and changes in density and draft.
- Basic knowledge of the different types of shipboard stresses and means
of reducing such stresses.
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Section 6 - Cargo Work
- Basic knowledge of Australian legislation, and an understanding of
the general principles and safe practice, relating to the carriage,
stowage, securing, loading and unloading of cargoes on various types
of ships.
- Knowledge of the contents and application of the current publications
for carriage of dangerous goods Knowledge of relevant cargo handling
equipment
- Confined space entry principles
Section 7 - Ship Handling
- Basic understanding of manoeuvring techniques, principles and characteristics
for the main ship types.
- Knowledge of the safe principles of mooring and unmooring,
- Basic knowledge of the use of tugs and anchors
- Knowledge of the factors affecting manoeuvring in narrow channels
and shallow water
- Knowledge of the principles for the safe embarking and disembarking
of a pilot, and launch and recovery of rescue craft
- Understanding the affects of adverse weather on various ship operations
Section 8 - Prevention of Pollution
- Knowledge of Australian and International legislation in relation
to pollution, and shipboard precautions to prevent pollution.
- Understanding of the actions to be taken in event of a pollution incident
- Knowledge of bunkering precautions
Section 9 - Emergency Situations / Response and Equipment
- Knowledge of contemporary safety issues, reports and papers, affecting
the maritime industry
- Response as watch-keeper to various shipboard emergency situations
both in port, at anchor and at sea
- Recognition of signs of the approach of adverse weather conditions,
and action to be taken.
- Basic principles of damage control.
- Knowledge of ship/helicopter procedures
- Knowledge of principles of towing and being towed
- Distress, urgency and safety messages
Section 10 - Dry Docking
- Preparations for docking and undocking including stability issues
- Precautions and dangers whilst in dock, including OH & S issues
- Types of docking facilities
Section 11 - Search and Rescue
- Search and Rescue (SAR) publications, procedures, communications and
equipment
- Knowledge of SAR techniques
Section 12 Essential Shipboard Equipment and Machinery
- An understanding of the operation of various types of shipboard fire
fighting and life saving equipment, together with an understanding of
the associated safety aspects and precautions related to operation and
use of such equipment.
- Use, care and maintenance of all relevant deck appliances and shipboard
equipment.
- Knowledge of the factors affecting the watertight integrity of the
ship
- Knowledge of correct operation of on load release gear for survival
craft
- Organisation of statutory drills.
Section 13 Collision Avoidance
- Knowledge of the application and content of the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea, in collision avoidance and safe navigation
of a vessel
- Knowledge of the internationally adopted system of buoyage.
- International Code of Signals
