1. Can you tell me  where are you graduated from?

For example: I graduated from Dalian Maritime University in July 2017. 

2. What are your responsibilities as a Third Officer?

(1)To perform sea watches and cargo watch, from 0800 to 1200 and from 2000 to 2400 hours?

(2) To assist the Chief Officer in supervising cargo handling operation

(3) To measure the draft at the discretion of the Chief Officer or the Master?

(4) To assist the Master on the bridge with anchoring and mooring and unmooring operation is underway?

(5) To inspect communication systems and important items related to the navigational system and other department before leaving port or shifting anchorage?

(6) To maintain the lifesaving appliances and fire fighting equipment and make records in the maintenance log and inventory book?

(7) To do some paper work and other jobs assigned by the Master

3. When do you call the Master to the Bridge?

If the master were not in the bridge room, according to some rules and my experience, I would call the master to the bridge under the following circumstances:

When I do not know the correct actions to take?

When the giving away vessel does not give away as a rule and cannot get into contact with it?

When navigational equipment fails to respond?

When receiving the distress call?

When navigational marks are missing or in the expected time, and did not see the marks?

When the depth sounding do not have expected result?

When entry into heavy traffic, low visibility areas?

When main engine speed decreases or breakdown?

When approaching the poor visibility areas?

And when the vessel is in danger and I am not sure how to react.

4. Who is responsible for the LSA and FFE equipment on board a ship?

LSA means Life Saving Apparatus? FFE means Fire Fighting Equipment. The Third Officer is responsible for the maintenance of all these apparatus. The maintenance records should be logged.

5. How often and what do you inspect the lifeboats?

Usually I inspect and test the important parts of the lifeboat weekly. My checking points include attachment to the hull, lifeline, （ID:seamanfriend)handrail, the condition of rudder, fuel oil tanks, fresh water, food and so on. After checking, I make records in the maintenance book and log book.

6. What actions should you take while you find fire in the cabin?

I should sound the fire alarm first, and then inform the bridge, the engine room and the Master immediately. And I will use the portable fire extinguisher to put out the fire the soonest possible if the fire is not that serious. At the same time, I shall watch the fire carefully and wait for the firefighting team assistance. When the fire fighting team is in their respective position, I will come to my position on the Fire Muster List.

7. Why must you check the compass error between the gyro and magnetic during the watch?

The duty officer should check the difference between the two compasses at least every hour. If significant error between magnetic and gyrocompass is found, compasses must be adjusted and corrected immediately. If the gyrocompass breaks down, I shall immediately report it to the Master.

8. How do you check the ship’s position when you keep the anchor watch and which way is the best?

I can use three ways i.e. Radar fixing, GPS fixing, landmark fixing to get the vessel’s position and define the anchor position. But I think the best way is radar fixing because it is more precise and reliable. For the sake of safety, instead of using only one means, all the other ways available should be used. At the same time, lockout is still very important.

9. What preparations should you make in anticipation of the PSC inspection on board the ship?

I should check very carefully the FFE and LSA to make sure they function well. I should also make sure that all the logs and records of the FFE and LSA and the drills are available for inspection.

10. How do you check the CO2 System?

The CO2 system is the fixed fire fighting system. I do the checks according to the checklist.

First, the date of last service, CO2 pipelines and bottles should be checked. The air blow test should be carried out to make sure that the system works well enough. Certificates also need to be checked to make sure they are up-to-date. The weight of the CO2 in the bottles should be tested at regular interval.

11. During cargo watch, what should the Third Officer on duty do?

According to the cargo stowage plan, the Third Officer must ensure the safety of the personnel, the cargo and the ship. He should watch and supervise the loading operation and cargo stowing, and report the accident and abnormalities, if any, to the Chief Officer. The Third Officer should keep watch on the weather, the mooring conditions, sea and vicinity condition, and check the draft regularly. All records should be made in the logbook.

12. What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAC) rate on board?

According to some rules and regulations, the BAC shall not be more than 0.04% by weight of the blood any time when being tested. But watchkeepers are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverage 4 hours before their watch. Anyway, （ID:seamanfriend)I shall refer to the SMS manual of the company to get some more detailed regulation in this regard.

13. When RADAR, ARPA and other positioning systems are in use, does the use of these apparatus relieve your duty of lookout as a watchkeeper?

No, the working of these apparatus does not relieve the watch officer of his duty to maintain a proper lookout at all time. You can not depend on the machines too much. Lockout (deck watch) is always very important, especially in some passages, inside the port and in some dangerous sailing areas. Delayed actions will possibly give rise to big accidents.

14. When the vessel departs the port, what preparation shall the Master do?

(1) He shall make various principal calculations such as the ride, current and the time of sunrise and sunset that are necessary for securing safety during port entry or departure.

(2)Check to see that the disembarkation of the visitors and the embarkation or disembarkations of

supernumeraries in accordance with the safety management records.

(3) Check to see that the deck crew are on board.

(4) Prepare and check signal flags, make sure that the Port Clearance and other formalities are well prepared.

(5) make sure that the pilotage and tug service are prepared.

15. How often do you check and correct the chronometer（天文鐘）？

I shall check and correct it daily. The record of each correction shall be put into the record book. Besides, the chronometer shall be sent ashore for cleaning during each shipyard repair period.

16. When working on the bridge, when do you call the engine room for information?

(1) Whenever necessary to ascertain that engine room and bridge clocks are synchronized?

(2) At least one hour before starting or ending a sea passage?

(3) As soon as it appears that engine operation maneuvers may be required, with one hour's notice if possible?

(4) Whenever the ship machinery operation may be affected by weather or other condition changes, such as shallow water approach, concentration of marine life or seaweed, ice in water, or change of trim or draft due to ballasting shifting?

(5) One hour before inert gas system operation is required (for tanker)?

(6) One hour before steam is required on deck?

(7) Whenever the temperature falls to 2 degree centigrade to prevent damage to equipment?

(8) At least one hour before the standby generator is required?

(9) As soon as an excessive some is to be turned?

(10) Whenever the cargo pumps are used?

(11) One hour prior to getting underway.

17. When you join a vessel, what should you do first?

First, I shall report to the master and familiarize myself with the Emergency Card in the cabin and the Muster Lists, and the crewmen including the master and other officers and seamen on board the vessel. Second, with accompaniment of the relieved the 3/O, I shall have an inspection of those items the 3/O is responsible for. I shall discuss immediately with the master on any unsatisfactory conditions, including equipment malfunctions. I shall also take over all the documents the 2/O shall take care of. Lastly, I shall prepare for getting underway. I shall test the draft of the vessel and report the result to the C/O. A good handover with the relieved 3/O is the very important thing for me.

18. Please tell some parts of a lifeboat in English.

For instance, manrope, oars, ration, securing gears, launch tracks, slip gear, sea anchor, sea plug, davit, medicine, axe, provisions, （ID:seamanfriend)rat guards, lifejackets, lifejacket lights, lifebuoys, thermal protector, radar reflector, bailer, hatchets, sponges, lifeboat oil lamps, inflatable life jacket, immersion suit, matches, lifesaving signal, survival manual, waterproof electric torch, boathooks, and so on.

19. If ship collision happens when you are on duty, what procedure should you

follow up?

Firstly, I shall sound the alarm for emergency?

Secondly, I shall inform the master immediately?

Thirdly, I shall inform the engine room and prepare engine standby?

Fourthly, I shall sound the tanks including ballasting tanks and oil tanks?

Fifthly, I shall, at the discretion of the master, report to the head office of ship owner, management company and charter at the discretion of the master.

Lastly, I shall report to the relative department and coastal countries at the discretion of the master.

20. When should a turn over/hand over watch be deferred or postponed?

Usually, under the following situations, the turnover can be deferred or even postponed:

(1) If the officer on watch has reason to believe that the relieving officer is obviously not able to carry out his duties effectively? 

(2) when bridge maneuver is taking place, turnover of watch must be deferred until the action is completed and the ship is in a safe condition for the relief of

the watch to take place. 

(3) Other critical situations in which the master or Officers concerned believes the handover can not be done immediately.

21. Under what conditions should you as officer on watch change the ship's speed?

The OOW should not hesitate to use engine to change the sped of the ship. He should change the ship s speed on the following circumstances:

(l) when the ship meets restricted visibility? (2) when the ship is in traffic density area? (3) when the ship is in crossing situation or in close quarter situation.

22. What actions should be taken when restricted visibility is encountered or expected?

(1) Call or notify the master? (2) Switch on the navigational lights?

(3) Switch on and sound fog signals? (4) Switch on ARPA and Radar?

(5) Shift to manual steering for maneuver? (6) post additional lookout?

(7) Inform and advise engine room for any emergency maneuvers.

23. What precautionary measures are to be done 12 hours before arrival at or departure from any port?

I shall test the following before entering or getting underway: (1) Primary and secondary steering gear: (2) Internal control communications and control alarm? (3) Standby and emergency generator? (4) storage batteries for emergency lighting. (5) Main propulsion ahead and astern.

24. What should you do in case of steering failure?

When there is a steering failure, I shall report to the master immediately, so that he may take whatever actions are required. At the same time, provided no further incidents occur, hoist the signals for a vessel not under command. At the same time, inform the engine room and determine the time necessary for repairs, if possible, so that the necessary preparations can be made on the bridge.

25. When is great circle sailing most advantageous? Explain briefly.

The shortest distance between two meridians is the arc of the great circle contained between these two points. The advantages obtained from the use of the great circle sailing are greatest in high latitudes, where, there is a large difference of longitude between the points of departure and destination.

26. If a man is overboard, what actions should you take immediately?

I shall throw him a lifebuoy, inform the engine room, change sailing course, make engine full astern and steer towards him. （ID:seamanfriend)Before he is picked up from the water, medical serve is prepared in case he is found to be injured.

27. How do you know how many persons a lifeboat is allowed to carry?

Usually, number of persons a lifeboat is allowed to carry is marked on each lifeboat's bows and on at least two of the thwarts.

28. In case of steering failure and loss of bridge control, what actions should the officer on duty take?

In case of the vessel fall into loss of bridge control which results from trouble in steering system, the Officer of the watch shall take the following measures for the purpose of avoiding the present crisis.

(1) When the trouble occurs in auto steering (AUTO) and Hand steering (HAND), turn the system selection switch (SYSTEM SWITCH) to the standby side.

(2) When the steering is still impossible by the measures of above(1), turn the mode selection switch (MODE SWITCH) to non-follow-up (NFU) position to steer the lever.

(3) When the steering is still impossible by the measures of above(2), turn the system to emergency steering at local side, together with in use of Telephone, Transceivers, Microphone / Loud speaker and repeater gyro/spare compass, etc.

29. If the ship is sailing in the high density traffic area, what actions will you take if you are on watchkeeping?

The OOW must always be aware of the possibility of navigation in congested waters. If

the own vessel is expected to navigate such areas, he must take the following actions:

(1) early stay away from the congested area, if possible.

(2) arrangement of lockout (s).

(3) report to the Master.

(4) test of manual steering or changeover to manual steering.

(5) contact with Engineers, if necessary.

(6) if required, reduce down to a safe speed.

(7) running in parallel of Power Units of Steering Gears.

(8) Note the time of entering and leaving in congested water in the logbook and in the

check list.

30. If you do the on board patrol, what should you pay special attention to during your patrol tour?

Usually, there should be an Onboard Patrol Check List. In the checklist, the following

items shall be included which shall be paid great attention when the Onboard Patrol is carried out:

(1) check for any sign of a fire

(2) check for leakage of oil or water , abnormal sound, smell and smoke.

( 3 ) closure of watertight doors.

(4) confirmation of Navigation Equipments, Steering Gear and etc. in working order.

(5) inspection of lashing conditions of movable articles on board (and stowage condition of cargo if necessary)

(6) thorough lighting control.

31. What is your favorite subject? Why? (Maritime English)

Maritime English   航海英語(yǔ)

Communication English    通信英語(yǔ)

Practical English   實(shí)用英語(yǔ)

Mathematics for Navigation   航海數(shù)學(xué)

Computer Application  計(jì)算機(jī)應(yīng)用

Ship management  船舶管理

Ship Manoeuvring 船舶操縱

Navigational Instruments   航海儀器

Navigation (science)    航海學(xué)

Ship structure and equipment   船舶結(jié)構(gòu)與設(shè)備

Meteorology and Oceanography 船舶氣象與海洋學(xué)

Watch- Keeping & Collision prevention of Ship 船舶值班與避碰

Marine radio communication   海上無(wú)線電通信

Ship signals    船舶信號(hào)

Carriage of Goods by Sea    海上貨物運(yùn)輸

Shipping Business & maritime law   航運(yùn)業(yè)務(wù)與海商法

Seamanship   船藝

Seaman’s professional ethics    海員職業(yè)道德

Proficiency in Life-saving boat& raft training 精通艇筏

Proficiency in First Aid  精通急救

Advanced Fire-Fighting  船舶高級(jí)消防

注意:當(dāng)你聽(tīng)不懂面試官的提問(wèn)時(shí)，可讓對(duì)方重復(fù)(pardon，can you repeat?)．如果實(shí)在聽(tīng)不懂就直接回答(sorry, I don’t know), 切不可胡亂回答．

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