a very difficult voyage situation in which to arrange satisfactory ventilation. From cold to warm voyage, the ventilation is not necessary. In case of carrying non-hygroscopic cargoes from a cold place to a warm place, no ventilation is needed, and cargo sweat would occur on the surface of the stow if relativel warmer moisture laden air was admitted. From the warm to the cold voyage, no ventilation is needed because ship sweat is inevitable but cargo will be unaffected unless condensation drips back on the stow.
34. How to prevent cargo from being damaged by rain or seawater? Before the voyage, I will check the hatch cover to see if it is properly closed that tight water condition is in good order. To make sure suction boxes and manholes are properly closed; to check the bulkhead of adjacent ballast tank.
35. What preparations should make before the pilot comes on board? Preparations should be made in the following steps
First, the duty officer is to contact the pilot station to confirm the availability the pilot
Second, the Master is to contact the coming pilot and discuss with him the vessel’s heading position and speed at the time of his boarding
Third, the duty officer should supervise the embarkation and disembarkation of the pilot to ensure his identity and safety
Fourth, the pilot ladder must meet the standards of the US Coast Guard and the IMO
Fifth, the deck crew is to prepare the ladder well and hoist the G flag Last, when the pilot is on board, H flag should be hoisted.
90910381.doc Page 41 of 51
36. When you pass through the Panama Canal, what should you pay attention to? Why?
The turn of bilge radius should be made known to the pilot. According to the regulations, the turn of bilge radius of the vessel cannot be over 12.04 meters in the fresh water area. No bilge water is allowed to be pumped. As a precaution, we should check with the MR Notice and apply for correction if on time. We should also prepare for the safety inspections by the boarding officers.
Seven days before the ship’s estimated time of passing by the Canal, we should report to the Canal authority on the vessel condition.
37. What materials and information do you need when you make the passage plan?
The passage plan shall contain all the charts required and shall locate all the information concerning the intended area. The information needed for the passage plan shall be found from the Sailing Direction, List and Lights, Tide Tables, Tidal Stream Table, Guide to Port Entry, Deep Draft Vessel Planning Guide, The IMO Ship Route Guide, Guide to Tanker Port, various ports’ information booklets, government and port regulations, Navigational Warnings, pilot Charts, Notice to Mariners, Weather Information, and so on. 38. Do you often change the ballast water? What should you pay attention to when changing the ballast water?
Yes. The ballast water change is required by most port authorities in the world.
Ballasting and de-ballasting on time is very important to keep the stress of the vessel in good condition. Under heavy weather conditions, it is necessary to test the ballasting and bilge water more often to make sure of the stability of the vessel.
39. What should you pay attention to when the vessel is loaded with coal?
90910381.doc Page 42 of 51
Trimming is very important to make sure that cargo is evenly loaded. Since coal is liable to get fire. Fire-fighting equipment should be available at any time. Air in the cargo space should be regularly checked. Bilge water should be tested systematically to see whether there is any water leakage. Ventilation is not allowed during the voyage. Reasonable ventilation is to be carried out when the cargo temperature is above 55 degrees Centigrade or the methane concentration is abnormal.
Also, you have to measure the cargo temperature at least once every day. If the temperature and methane are abnormal, I will report to the owner for instruction.
40. What are the functions of a B/L? what is a clean B/L and what is an unclean B/L?
A B/L has three very important functions. It constitutes evidence of the terms of the contract of carriage – a promise to carry and deliver the cargo. It constitutes the apparent order, condition, and quantity or weight of goods at the time of shipment. It is also a document of title (property) of the cargo.
A clean B/L is one on which there is not any remark of cargo loss, shortage or damage. An unclean B/L is also called claused B/L, which carries some remarks of cargo damage, quantity shortage and so on.
41. What is back dated or anti-dated B/L? What is advanced B/L? A back dated B/L is a B/L whose issuing date is earlier than the virtual loading completion date. An advanced B/L means a B/L that is signed and issued by the carried before the completion of loading. Both backdated and advanced B/Ls will bring some dangers and liabilities to the shipowner and charterer.
42. What anti-stowaway precautions should you take before the vessel sails from a port?
90910381.doc Page 43 of 51
Before departure from any port, stowaway search has to be carried out. The following spaces shall be searched thoroughly: void space, chain lockers, funnel, and other places where the stowaways can hide themselves. If stowaways are discovered before the ship sails, arrangement has to be made for his immediate disembarkation. Records have to be make in the Ship’s Logs and the company should be notified. Necessary steps should be taken to prevent any further reoccurrence.
43. Who should not be allowed to have the shore leave at the same time? In view of the jobs on board, the following positions and ranks can not be allowed to have shore leave at the same time: the Master and the Chief Officer; the Chief Engineer and First Engineer; the Chief Engineer and Electrician; the Bosun and Pumpman (in tankers); the Chief Cook and Second Cook (or mess boy); The Chief Officer and Pumpman (in tankers).
Any crew who wants to have shore leave must check with the department head for permission and return to the vessel on time.
44. What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rate on board? According to the STCW 95, the BAC shall not be more than 0.08% by weight any time when being tested, but the CFR (Code of Federal Regulations) requires the BAC to be no more than 0.04%. Watch-keepers are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverage 4 hours before their watch.
45. What kind of garbage cannot be thrown into incinerator? The following garbage can not be thrown into the incinerator:
l Any containers that once contained gases under pressure, or aerosol cans
l The materials that may produce harmful gases or ashes l The materials that may produce high temperature and prolonged incineration of such materials that may cause damage to the incinerator
90910381.doc Page 44 of 51