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Chapter 15 - Watchkeeping Mate

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General

15.1 General requirements

The general requirements for a certificate as Watchkeeping Mate, are listed in section 134 of the Marine Personnel Regulations.

15.2 Validity of certificates

The holder of this certificate may act as Officer in charge of the watch on board a vessel of any tonnage, engaged on an unlimited or a near coastal voyage, as Chief Mate on board a vessel of not more than 3000 GT engaged on an unlimited or a near coastal voyage and as Chief mate on board a vessel of any tonnage engaged on a sheltered waters voyage.

Syllabuses of Examinations

15.3 Communications, level 1 (Examination Code: COM 1)

Refer to section 5.3, Chapter 5 of this TP.

15.4 Communications, level 2 (Examination Code: COM 2)

Refer to section 5.4, Chapter 5 of this TP.

15.5 Chartwork & Pilotage, level 2 (Examination Code: C/P 2)

Refer to section 11.3, Chapter 11 of this TP.

15.6 Celestial navigation, level 2 (Examination Code: ASTRO 2)

Refer to section 5.5, Chapter 5 of this TP.

15.7 Navigation Safety, level 1 (Examination Code: NS 1)

Refer to section 11.4, Chapter 11 of this TP.

15.8 Meteorology, level 1 (Examination Code: MET 1)

Refer to section 8.5, Chapter 8 of this TP.

15.9 Ship Construction and Stability, level 4 (Examination Code: SCS 4)

Refer to section 5.12, Chapter 5 of this TP.

15.10 Cargo, level 2 (Examination Code: CG 2)

Refer to section 7.9, Chapter 7 of this TP.

15.11 General Ship Knowledge, level 3 (Examination Code: GSK 3)

Refer to section 11.7, Chapter 11 of this TP.

15.12 Simulated Electronic Navigation – Operational level (Examination Code: SIM I)

  1. The examination consists of a simulated exercise conducted by Marine Safety to candidates who have successfully completed the SEN 1 course.
  2. The objective is to determine that the student has sufficient knowledge, understanding and proficiency to undertake watchkeeping duties and to comply with the Collision regulations and with the Bridge Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed set out in STCW Regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code Section A-VIII/2
  3. In a simulated environment, the student will use radar and other electronic aids to plot the ship's position and progress, to communicate as required and in a one-on-one ship situation, take necessary action to avoid collision without putting the vessel at risk.
  4. The candidate has to produce a paper plot and must be able to report course, speed, CPA, TCPA and aspect of each target seen on the radar screen. Using his paper plot, he must be able to support his avoiding action in case of conflict with another target. The candidate may use ARPA during the exercise, but this will not dispense him from producing a paper plot.
  5. During a SIM 1 examination, one candidate will be in each cubicle acting as the O.O.W.. The candidate, after having carried out the necessary voyage planning and instruments start-up, will have to execute the pre-planned passage in compliance with exercise instructions and Collision regulations.
  6. The SIM 1 examination is of a 2 to 3 hours duration, broken down as follows:
    1. Briefing                 10-15 minutes
    2. Preparation           20-30 minutes
    3. Exam running time 1-1½ hour
    4. Debriefing             10-15 minutes per candidate
  7. The detailed syllabus of the SEN 1 course is presented in TP 4958, Simulated Electronic Navigation courses.
Subject Knowledge required
Competence: Use of Radar and ARPA to maintain Safety of Navigation
Radar navigation Practical use of radar

 Ability to properly start, set-up and maintain set-up of the radar; Proper use of radar controls; Ability to operate, to interpret and analyse information obtained from radar; Recognize and use major landmarks for proper positioning of the vessel; Ability to take and use for navigation and collision avoidance, ranges and bearings of targets or landmarks; Use parallel indexing techniques where appropriate; identify critical echoes in various traffic situation; Detect course and speed changes of other ships; Effect of changes in own ship’s course or speed or both; Comply with the applicable International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea.
Radar navigation Plotting techniques

 Using the “MOT triangle”, determine the course, speed, closest point of approach, time of closest point of approach and aspect of targets by plot on hard copy; Plan avoiding action in conflict situations using the vectors triangle; Determine the effect of an avoiding action on other targets; Assess the resumption action to original or new course and or speed.
Competence: Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
Voyage planning and navigational bridge preparation Plan and prepare a passage plan

 Select chart and lay off courses according to exercise instructions; Mark positions of danger areas in the proximity of the intended track; Mark traffic Calling-In-Points (C.I.P.) if any and distance and ETA to next C.I.P.; Provide parallel indexing information on the chart as applicable; Prepare messages containing appropriate information for Vessel traffic service if any; Obtain passage pertaining information from nautical publications.

Bridge preparation

 Setting up of navigating instruments and radars; Navigation lights and sound signals to be used as necessary; Status of engine, steering and other controls as the case may be to be ascertained.
Conduct passage and determine position Electronic systems of position fixing and navigation

Ability to use all available electronic navigation aids; Judiciously select and use navaids which are appropriate to the geographical location and to the situation; Fix position at regular intervals; Follow pre-planned track; Cross check the different navigation systems used; Recognize errors in position fixing and deal with the situation as appropriate.

Competence: Maintain a safe navigational watch
Execution of the voyage Watchkeeping

Respect exercise instructions; Navigate, manoeuvre if necessary and avoid collision in compliance with the Collision regulations; Assess traffic situation properly; Take appropriate avoiding actions; Communicate adequately with Vessel Traffic Services (V.T.S.), or other vessels if necessary, as required, using recognized radio procedures and international maritime vocabulary; Maintain a proper record of the movements and activities relating to the navigation of the ship; Ability to conduct the watch in conformity with accepted principles and procedures.

Overall Comprehension and debriefing Collision regulations

During debriefing, justify that all actions taken during the exercise are according to the Collision regulations and the ordinary practice of seamen; Demonstrate overall comprehension of the exercise; Provide paper plot and log of movements and activities relating to the navigation of the ship; Show a proper understanding the use of electronic navaids and associated errors (including ARPA).

15.13 Oral examination on General Seamanship (Examination Code: OOW-O)

  1. Candidates should demonstrate the ability to apply the knowledge outlined in this oral examination syllabus by appropriate responses, anticipations and reactions to a range of routine, non-routine and contingency scenarios as presented by the examiner, from the perspective of the duties and responsibilities associated to the validity of the Watchkeeping Mate certificate, as set out in section 15.2 of this chapter.
  2. The examination is of an unlimited duration.
  3. The examination is based upon:
Subject Knowledge required
Competence: Plan and conduct a passage and determine position
Plan and conduct a passage and determine position Knowledge of the voyage planning requirements set out in section A-VIII/2 of the STCW Code.
Competence: Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch
Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch Bridge procedures

The responsibilities and duties of the officer for watchkeeping at sea, at anchor or in port; Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed for watchkeeping at sea under different conditions and in different areas as set out in the STCW Code, section A-VIII/2, including under pilotage, and watchkeeping at anchor and in port; The responsibilities and duties of the officer for keeping a safe deck watch in port when carrying hazardous cargo; purpose, necessity and general content of standing orders, night orders, bridge or movement book, ship’s logbook and similar material; knowledge of steering orders and responses; the purpose of maintaining a proper lookout; knowledge of the IALA systems of maritime buoyage.

Collision regulations

A thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at sea, 1972 with Canadian Modifications 1983.

Maintain a Safe Navigational Watch Steering control systems

Knowledge of steering control systems, including pre-departure and pre-arrival tests, automatic pilot, operational procedures and change-over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa – adjustment of controls for optimum performance; emergency steering gear procedures and use.

Competence: Manoeuvre the ship
Knowledge of the effects of deadweight, draught, trim, speed and under keel clearance on turning circles and stopping distances General manoeuvring characteristics of merchant vessels of all types; Definitions of terms: turning circle, advance, transfer, drift angle, tactical diameter, track reach, head reach and side reach; Turning circles of a ship in the loaded and ballast conditions, at different speeds; Accelerating turn and decelerating turn; Stopping distances in loaded and ballast conditions; The effect of shallow or deep water on the turning circle; Directional stability.
Knowledge of the effects of wind and current on ship handling Behaviour of the ship when engines are put astern, the pivoting point; Behaviour of a ship moving ahead with a wind from various directions; Effects of wind when making large turns, on a disabled vessel, when the ship is slowed, when making sternway; Creating a lee; The effect of current on the motion of a ship, when in rivers and narrow channels, when turning in a channel; Use of an anchor to dredge down with a current.
Knowledge of manoeuvres and procedures for the rescue of person overboard Distinguish between immediate action, delayed action and person missing situations; Manoeuvres required in a man overboard situation; Single turn, Williamson turn and Scharnow turn manoeuvres; Situations in which each turn is appropriate; The sequence of action to take when a person is seen to fall overboard; The action to take when a man-overboard report is received on the bridge.
Knowledge of squat, shallow water and similar effects Definition of shallow water, squat, blockage factor; Shallow water effects as: increased directional stability, a large increase in turning radius, the ship carrying her way longer and responding slowly to changes in engine speed, speed falling less during turns, squat increasing, trim changing; Effect of squat on manoeuvrability; Effect of bank suction and bank cushion in restricted waters; The squat and other shallow water effects increase as the blockage factor increase; Propeller and rudder effects on steering, including wake current, transverse thrust and screw race when going ahead and astern.
Knowledge of proper procedures for anchoring and mooring Preparation of anchors to be ready for use; The approach to an anchorage; The use of anchor buoys; Safety measures to be taken by the anchor party; Method of letting go; Fittings and cable markings; Communication with the bridge; Anchoring in water too deep to let the anchor go on the brake; Securing of anchors on the completion of anchoring; Preparation and procedures during heaving up; Securing anchor gear in preparation for sea passage; Use, care and stowage of mooring lines, types of line used for mooring and their characteristics; Names of the various mooring lines and orders; Preparation to be made for berthing alongside, including head ropes, stern ropes, breast ropes, springs, stopper, heaving lines, winches, self-tensioning winches, capstan, windlass, wire rope; Making fast on-shore bollards being used by another ship; Use of mooring on the bight and doubling up; Use, handling and securing of towing wires; Handling and securing of insurance wires; Use of lines in securing a vessel and in warping alongside a berth; Use of lines in a lock or lay-by; How to make fast tugs on towing hawsers or lashed up alongside; Methods of mooring to a buoy; Use of a messenger to pass on a wire or chain to a buoy; Preparation, use, handling and securing of a pilot ladder.
Transit on the St-Lawrence Seaway Seaway Handbook

 Awareness of Part I – Condition of ships and Part III – Seaway navigation of the Seaway Handbook.
Competence: Cargo Handling and Stowage
Loading and unloading of cargoes Safety of operations

 The responsibilities, duties and tasks of the OOW during cargo handling, stowage and securing; the proper use of derricks, cranes and other cargo gear; the surveillance of cargo handling operations to ensure compliance with safe working practices and regulations; protection of crew members and stevedores; the significance of SWL inscriptions on derricks, cranes and cargo gear; Basic knowledge of the dangerous goods handling, stowage, securing and carriage requirements as indicated in the IMDG Code.
Competence: Maintain Seaworthiness of the ship
Maintain Seaworthiness of the ship Understand fundamentals of watertight integrity, and the closing of all openings including hatch covers, access hatches and watertight doors; Preparations of a vessel for heavy weather.
Competence: Monitor compliance with legislative requirements
Basic working knowledge of the relevant IMO conventions concerning the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment Basic working knowledge of the SOLAS and MARPOL conventions; Purpose and application of the international Safety Management (ISM) and International Ship and Shore Facility Security (ISPS) Codes; Purpose of Flag State and Port State control.
Canadian legislation and regulations and vessels documentation Basic knowledge and application of the Canada Labour Code and the Marine Occupational Safety and Health Regulations; Practical knowledge of the rights and privileges of the various certificates of competency and endorsements required on board ship and issued by Transport Canada; Basic knowledge of ship’s documentation, inspection certificates, loadline certificates, manning certificates, tackle book, oil record book.
Competence: Seamanship
Mooring Lines Use, care and stowage of mooring lines, types of line used for mooring and their characteristics; Names of the various mooring lines and orders; Making fast on-shore bollards being used by another ship; Use of moorings on the bight and doubling up; Use, handling and securing of lines to make fast a harbour tug; Use, handling and securing towing wires; Use, handling and securing of insurance wires; Use of lines in securing a vessel and in warping alongside a berth, lock or lay-by; Use of mooring wire-ropes reels; Types of fairleads, their construction, naming and use; Use of rat guards.
Deck Machinery Practical use and care in the use of : electric and hydraulic winches (ordinary and self-tensioning), windlasses and capstans; Electric and hydraulic derrick winches and deck cranes; Elevators and hatch opening systems.
Knots and Splicing Basic knotting, gripping and splicing with reference to current practice, seizings, rackings, frappings, and stoppers.
Rigging Practical knowledge of the rigging of ships, comprising the names, purpose, and construction of standing and running rigging; Reeving of blocks and purchases; Rigging of stages and chairs; Rigging of booms for single or doubled up operations; Names, purposes and construction of the various parts of a boom; Stresses on the various parts of a boom system during operation.

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Date modified:
2010-01-21