State the use of TARB for training of deck cadets.

1. Provide detailed information about the tasks and duties which a trainee should
undertake.
2. Progress towards completion of those tasks can be monitored & entered by the training
officer.
3. Master is to check the validity at least twice a month & make recommendations towards
attaining proficiency by the trainee.
4. Evaluation process of the trainee’s competency endorsed by an assessor, not the
training officer, against the STCW 95 criteria reinforces the credibility of the training.
5. TARB duly certified by the training officer and assessor, and he master’s entries about
steering proficiency, bi-monthly comments, sea service, confidential report and other
training requirements provide good evidence that the on-board training & assessment
of the trainee has been well structured and properly conducted.
6. TARB will also be examined by the company’s training supervisor and the information
provided in the TARB may be reviewed for further improvement in the training and
assessment of prospective officers.

As the Chief Officer, state some of the shipboard safety practices you would promote.

Promoting shipboard safety:

1. Familiar with company’s Safety Management System.

2. Regular safety meetings; gather feedback on defect; irregularities; unsafe practices &
non-conformities.
3. Pro-active in taking remedial measures and improving safety.
4. Briefing after safety drills to measure effects/outcome.
5. Conducts basic safety lectures; use of safety films, CDs, posters inculcate safety
mindedness & internalized safety awareness.
6. Ensure new crew is familiarized the equipments & procedures – know the ISM checklists
for various operations especially the critical ones.
7. Informal assessments may be conducted and outcome acted upon.

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As the ship’s training officer, describe the various assessment methods that you can adopt for
your trainees.

Methods of assessing competence onboard ship

Competence: “the demonstration of knowledge, skills, understanding and personal

effectiveness to perform a given task aboard ship to the standards required by the various
codes of safe working practices and STCW 95 including employers & customers’ demands.”

Focus on actual performance i.e. what trainee “can do” rather “know”.

Assessment methods:

1. Observe work performance

2. Determining degree of skill demonstrated
3. Observe their discharge of responsibilities delegated to the trainees
4. Notice their sense of urgency in the important tasks
5. Monitor their performance as greater tasks are being progressively assigned to the
trainees
6. Oral questioning to reinforce their understanding and appreciation of various shipboard
operations
7. Written assessments, subjective or objective, according to level of trainees
8. Demonstrate proper response in simulated emergencies and exercises
9. Determine their understanding of the principles underlying the various procedures &
operations.

State the various checks onboard that the ISM auditor would carry out.

The ISM auditor would usually check the following:

1. All records, checklists and files;

2. ISM manuals and corrections to the manual;
3. Ship’s safety and fire-fighting equipments;
4. Navigational and machinery manuals, charts, log books;
5. Reports, standing orders, posters and placards, bridge procedures;
6. Maintenance and repair schedules and records, spares, etc.

The auditor may want to see any safety-related operation or drill being carried out.

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Master’s responsibilities and obligations under the ISM Code.

1. The main responsibility is to understand the SMS & implement its safety and
environmental protection policy.
2. The master is to issue clear and simple instructions and verify that specified
requirements are being observed thru the completed checklists and observations.
3. To maintain proper records and data.
4. Ensure newly joined crews are being familiarized with their normal emergency duties
including the use of the various equipment and emergency appliances.
5. Conduct drills and exercises. Monitor progress of training prospective officers.
6. Aware that Port State Control may test proficiency of crew in the normal and emergency
situations.
7. Reports to the company on any non-conformities, near-misses and accidents. Also
reports on failures, damages, defects and malfunctions with possible causes.
8. To prepare for audits, especially by external authorities.

Basically Master is to motivate the crew in observing the safety and environmental protection
policy, and the SMS manual instruction are being closely followed.

Crew Matters

Possible consequences (smuggling)

 Guilty seaman may be liable to be detained for the offence.

 May be fined, imprisoned or both.
 Ship may also be detained if unable to provide valid reasons that she is not a party to it.
 Delays often would occur pending full investigation is completed. Perhaps require total
change of crew for further investigation.
 Drug smuggling will lead delays & more complication and heavy liability to ship-owners.

Master’s Action

1. Investigate and indentify the other crew likely to have been implicated and surrender
them to authorities.
2. Determine the source of acquiring the items.
3. Communicate with owners and seek P&I Club assistance.
4. Note protest vessel not to be held responsible.
5. Master to make commitment and/or guarantee to the best of his liability that all parties
connected with the offence will be removed from the ship and dealt with seriously by
Singapore CNB.
6. Enter every event and communication in the OLB.

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 7. Maintain close communication/ consultation with owners.
8. Owners’ right to sue seaman civilly liable to owners.
9. Legal action against offender to recover expenses.
10. OLB/shore report & findings as evidence.

About a day after leaving port, several crew members fall ill with fever. As the Master, state
your actions.

 Complete isolation of sick members from the rest.

 Separate utensils, cutleries and cookeries.
 Only one delegated officer (2nd Officer) well protected, clean wear & masks can come in
proximity with patients for administering medication.
 Communicate with last port agents and/or health authorities for medical advice &
owners of the situation & condition of the patients.
 Seek medical advice & consult SCMG for precautionary measures to be taken by other
crew members.
 Master has to prepare for return to last port and ship quarantined.

Several crew suffers stomach upset and diarrhea soon after leaving port.

Investigate causes & actions:

 Whether food/water consumed from shore or ship

 Precautionary measures to be taken on board – purify/chlorinate or boil water before
use keep samples of ship’s food/water which has been consumed
 Close consultation of SCMG, treat the seaman accordingly
 Observe and detect any signs of sickness spreading – infectous
 Complete isolation. No contact with other personnel.
 Enter in Medical log the development of the sickness and the treatment administered.
 Communicate with Agents last port of possible illness crew might have contracted.
 If deteriorate – seek shore doctor’s advice by providing comprehensive and accurate
information about the sickness and patient.
 Seek AMVER/Ocean Routes Organization’s assistance whether any vessel in vicinity is
carrying a doctor. Decide position of rendervous soonest possible and maintain close
contact with the doctor of that ship.
 May be necessary to prepare survival craft to go across to the other vessel to fetch
doctor and treat your seaman. Enter his advice in the OLB.

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State the difference between General Average and Particular Charges ( Sue and Labor
Expenses ).

Difference between GA & Sue and Labor Expenses.

GA – Arises whenever a sacrifice of property or an extraordinary expenditure is reasonably

made/incurred for the common safety of the maritime adventure.

Or in some instances such expenditure voluntarily made for the common benefit of 3rd parties
involved in the adventure:

i. Damage to cargo by extinguishing medium in a fire

ii. Expenses by 3rd party assistance/ port of refuge
iii. Damage to machinery & boilers in trying to re-float the vessel

Underwriter obliged to pay Sue and Labor expenses as there is no 3rd party interests.

Sue and Labor supplementary contract i.e. expenses to be paid in addition to total loss.

e.g., Ship in ballast not chartered & not earning freight incurs salvage expenses; cargo re-
condition to prevent destruction etc.

State the various types of Partial Losses

Partial Loss Claims:

PA – Partial loss damage caused fortuitously. PA damage claims “lie where it falls”. Damage
caused directly by the accidents not voluntarily. e.g. collision, grounding damage.

GA – Arises whenever a sacrifice of property or an extraordinary expenditure is reasonably

made/ incurred for the common safety of the maritime adventure. Or in some instances such
expenditure voluntarily made for the common benefit. Example of GA claims;

i. Damage to cargo by extinguishing medium in a fire

ii. Damage to machinery & boilers in trying to refloat the vessel.

Particular charges under Sue & Labor Clause

Expenses incurred in attempting to avert/minimize loss of insured matter when it is in danger,

underwriter obliged to pay S/L expenses – particular charges. To be paid in addition to total
loss. e.g., Ship in ballast not chartered & not earning freight incurs salvage expenses; cargo re-
condition to prevent destruction etc.

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3/4th Collision Liability

The assured legal liability to the other colliding vessel is limited to 3/4th of the collision liability
incurred by the assured, with a further limit of 3/4th of the insured value stated in the policy.
The RDC covers collision liability for loss of or damage to the other vessel, also to property on
board other vessel; loss of use of that vessel etc.

Specific exclusions restrict cover for other liabilities.

Time Chartered Ship – Master’s responsibilities

Protect ship owners’ interests;

Ensure at all times before each voyage ship seaworthy, cargo-worthy, and fit for the voyage.
Avoid off hire claims and/or delays. Maintain chartered speed.

Charterers’ interests;

Cargo-worthy state at all times, comply with Hague-Visby Rules. Maintain charterers logs and
voyage documents. NOR tendered. Proper signing of B/Ls and papers on behalf. Note protests if
necessary.

Cargo interests;

Comply with Hague-Visby Rules and other Codes for carriage of goods. Proper handling of
cargo, preserve & care of cargo. Aware of commercial & legal obligations.

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Differences between Lloyd’s Open Form & Salvage Contract

Lloyd’s Open Form

1. Lloyd’s Open Form contains standard terms/conditions according to International

Salvage Convention & universally accepted by shipping community.
2. Awards & disputes referred to panel of arbitrators. “No cure – No pay” basis.
3. Upon financial security to meet salvor’s claims – Ship owners can obtain early release.
4. Salvor has right of lien on the salved property.
5. Underwriter’s maximum liability up to insured value.

Salvage Contract

1. Terms/conditions negotiated & prearranged.

2. Remuneration terms agreed before salvage
3. Contract of service – Salvors become owners’ employees.

Circumstances Master should agree on LOF

1. In dire need of assistances without which the ship may be in danger of perishing ;
Examples: total breakdown in heavy weather & danger of hitting the rocks.
2. Result of fire, collision or any other accident where Master & ship has no time for
owners to arrange for salvage contract.
3. Saving of life, property & environment is of immediate concern & priority.
4. Before salvage operation, both parties must agree. At least verbally that LOF to be
signed after completion.

State the significance of Official Log Book.

1. Name of managing owners and masters on front cover.

2. To record in prescribed pages requirements of MSA regarding Emergency Drill.
3. Inspection of accommodation, inspection of provisions and water.
4. Entry of arrival/departure drafts and freeboard.
5. Birth and death of person onboard; desertion.
6. Crew’s name against same ref no as in AA, rank and report of conduct.
7. Narrative sections for entry of irregular events and activities.
8. Most entries require Master and any other person usually the Chief Officers to sign.
9. Entries cannot be erased – can only be superseded by another entry.
10. Can be used as evidence and to support reports and claims.
11. To be closed at the same time as Article of Agreement.

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