新证二副必看：二副面试问题

 

二副面试前主要应准备关于职责范围内的问题，如图海图（电子海图）、如何修正海图、地理 常识、海事专业出版社及船上图书馆的管理、制定航路计划、船上药品管理、装卸货值班、正常海 上值班、垃圾处理、其他所负责的设备的维护和保养等问题。当然，也可能会问及《国际安全管理 规则》（ISM）以及《公司安全管理体系》方面的知识和问题。就目前中国船员整体状况而言，二 副职位的船员英文水平和业务水平越来越好。对于没有外派经历的二副，建议抓紧时间补习英文， 特别是专业英文。下面收集了一部分问题，可供参考。

 

1. Can you tell me about your education background and working experience? (Omitted) Please refer to the same questions for the master.

 

2. Can you tell me about your last vessel? (Omitted) Please refer to the answers to the same questions to the master or chief officer.

 

3. What are your responsibilities as a Second Officer?

 

The Second Officer is the navigational officer and sometimes also medical officer on board. Besides, the Second Officer shall assist the Chief Officer. His duties may include the following:

 

(1) Navigation watch keeping (from 1200 to 1600 , and from 0000 to 0400);

 

(2) Chart and navigational publication corrections;

 

(3) Passage plan making;

 

(4) Usually working as the designated communications officer;

 

(5) Maintenance of communication equipment, instruments and spare parts on board the ship;

 

(6) Care of all the basic navigation equipment and instruments, including magnetic compasses, gyrocompasses, gyro repeaters, rime changes, depth sounders and course recorder.

 

(7) Maintenance of inventories of the stationery

 

(8)Medical duties, and other duties designated by the Master or Chief Officer.

 

(9) Some other work designated by master or Chief Officer. 二副应该能用自己的语言流利地说出自己的职责。

 

4. Please briefly describe the procedure of dealing with navigational warnings.

 

Firstly, I shall register the navigational warnings in the Register Book and record the warning number in the card. Secondly, I shall select the charts that are affected by the warnings. Then I    shall use pens, scissors and glues to fix permanent notices. I shall also use pencils to fix tem -porary and preliminary notices. The charts are to be corrected according to all the concerned warnings . When I correct the chart, I shall frequently consult the geographical index.

 

5. Can you describe the charts correction procedures?

 

Please refer to the same question for the Master.

 

Firstly, the Second Officer has to make sure that he has received the latest Notice to Mariner and that he has to write the notice request on time. The Master shall make emergency request if   the latest is not received. 

Secondly, the Second Officer has to record the Notice to Mariner on the correction logs on time according to the chronological order. 

Thirdly, when correcting the chart, he has to make sure that the last small correction has been made on the chart. 

Erasure should never be made when deleting information crossed through. Instead, series of short double strokes should be used while correction fluid should not be used.

Always insert information before you delete any information .

 

任何海图和维护海图是二副最重要的职责之一，对于海图更新的有关程序是考官经常考到的题 目，一定要好好准备。关键是如何用自己的话表述出这个复杂的过程。

 

6. Who should draft the passage plan on board? What are included in passage plan? When you make the passage plan, what information do you need? 

Usually, the passage plan should be prepared by the Second Officer and approved by the Master. During passage, when an error or mistake is found about the passage plan, it should be    reported to the Master first and corrected afterwards by the Second Officer. But during voyage the passage plan cannot be changed without the Master s approval. 

The passage plan should include such information as way points, the distance between way points, courses, current, tide, weather conditions and means of communications, means of fixing position and interval and so on. 

Besides, the following information and publications are necessary in making the passage- plan: sailing directions, pilot book , port entry guidance , tide table’s local area warning, warning from the NAVAREA areas, list of light and radio signals, Admiralty Notice to Mariner, sea chart and catalogue of admiralty charts and other publications .

 

7. What is the scope the passage plan cover? If you miss one or two big or small scale charts for next voyage, can the ship give sea going or not?

 

The passage plan should cover the sailing route from berth to berth. Lack of information for some areas may lead to some serious accidents.

 

The ship cannot go if one or two charts are not available.

 

8. If the signal of "three red lights vertically aligned" is found on board a ship during     night voyage, what do you think is wrong with the ship? If a motor ship is moving under the way, but not under command, what kind of signals should she use? On what occasion do   you display two black balls during the day?

 

The vessel is constrained by her draught. It is very hard for her to maneuver. Our vessel should give a wide berth and take actions to keep away from her.

 

The motor ship should use not-under-control lights, i.e., two red lights vertically aligned during nighttime, and two blackballs vertically aligned during day time .

 

We shall display two blackballs when our vessel cannot get out the way of another.

 

各种信号灯的含义和英文表示也是面试中经常提到的问题。希望二副全面复习一下这方面的知 识。请参阅 COLREG 1972 "NAVIGATION UGHTS"  部分。

 

9. Please describe how you take care of the magnetic compass.

 

The liquid magnetic compass should be regularly checked for air bubbles and it should always be covered when it is not in use. The deviation of the compass should be checked and observed   during every watch.

 

10. How do you set and adjust gyrocompass?

 

The Second Officer should frequently check the gyrocompass' error. Actually, gyrocompass     accuracy should be checked at least once a day at sea and at anchor, and for each course steered. During the watch , the simultaneous check should be made at least hourly. If there is any signifi-cant deviation error, the Second Officer should report it to the Master and record in the Compass   Record Book and Deck Logbook. The electronic devices should be kept away from the compasses in a reasonable distance. The Chief Officer or other designated officers should test the error in the morning and evening.

 

11. What are your responsibilities as the Second Officer while the vessel is in port?

 

My responsibilities are to keep good watch, to ensure the safety of life , the ship and the cargo and to maintain good working orders on the vessel.

 

During my watch I should be aware of the draft, under keel clearance, the state of ship, the mooring conditions so as to avoid dangerous listing , trim or hull stress during cargo operation. I should also make sure that de-ballasting causes no marine pollution . I should watch and supervise the loading process and report any incident or accident to the Chief Officer.

 

12. Please tell me the difference between the great circle line(大圆航线) and rhomb line (恒向线)?

 

In theory, the great circle line is the shortest distance between two places, while the rhomb  line is longer than the great circle line . However, it is very hard for a vessel just to take the circle line or rhomb line.

 

13. During cargo loading, if you find cargo damages in holds, what should you do?

 

I should record them in writing or even photograph the damages and report the situations to the Chief Officer immediately. The Chief Officer should report it to the tallyman and ask them to  replace the cargo, if possible. At the same time, the officer on duty should make the on-the-spot  record.

 

If the damages are really very serious, we should report to the Master and ask for his instructions.

 

14. When you usually do the chart work? When you are keeping watch, can you do the chart work?

 

Whenever I receive the Notice to Mariner, I will do the correction and drawing as soon as possible.

 

Generally, I should not do the chart work when am keeping watch. Doing chart work during watch keeping can give rise to some potential danger to the maneuvering of the vessel.

 

15. What is the maximum blood alcohol concentration (BAG) rate on board?

 

According to the STCW Code, the BAC shall not be more than 0.08% by weight at any time    when being tested. Watch-keepers are not allowed to drink any alcoholic beverage 4 hours before their watch. Besides, when bunkering , loading and unloading, mooring and unmooring , 4 hours before and after port all , the sailor on board cannot have any alcoholic drinks.

 

16. Please tell me your duties as the medical officer.

 

I am responsible for maintaining the medical inventory. I should keep a good record of the use of different medicines and make sure that the aide bags are at proper locations . I should also be careful with the medicine locker. The expired medicines should be replaced on time. When some   important medicines are out of stock, I should report to the Master and make requisition for supply.

 

17. When do you call the Master to the bridge?

 

In the following situations, according to the SMS manual , I will have to call the Master to the bridge:

 

( 1) When the visibility is lower than the one mentioned in the Master's standing order;

 

(2) Breakdown of the main engine, steering gear, gyro-compass or any other critical equipment related to the safety of the vessel ;

 

(3) When the ship's position and sounding are unusual or strange;

 

(4) When the navigational marks or sounding do not appear as expected ;

 

(5) When heavy weather is encountered ;

 

(6) When the ship is behaving in an unusual way; 

 

(7) When marine pollution is seen or suspected;

 

(8) When distress message is received or accident observed ;

 

(9) Any other situation when the officers are in doubt;

 

( 10) Whenever the ship is in danger;

 

知道何时叫船长到驾驶台是非常重要的，这对船舶的安全航行非常重要，通常船长在bridge order 或 standing order  里都有详细的说明，STCW95公约关于船员值班部分也有详细的规定。

 

18. When RADAR and ARPAR are in use, do they relieve your duty of lockout as a watch-keeper?

 

No, these apparatuses do not relieve the watch officer of his duty to maintain a proper lockout at all times . This is very important to the maneuvering of the vessel. Accidents often arise because of the officers' complete dependence on the RADAR , ARPAR , GPS and other equipment,especially in hazardous areas, such as the coast and port areas, low visibility area , restricted areas and heavy weather regions . All in all , the rules and regulation of the COLREG 1972 must be strictly obeyed.

 

19. What do you know about EC and ECDB?

 

EC means Electronic Chart, and ECDIS means Electronic Chart and Information System. This system uses the computer technology to provide chart details on a visual display unit,combined with an automatic indication of ship’s position , and possibly a radar image , and a navigation aide. This kind of chart needs basic computer operation skills and automation     knowledge .

 

20. Can you tell me the main contents of a typical Admiralty Notice to Mariner? How did you get the Notice to Mariner on your last vessel?

 

The Admiralty Notice to Mariners is a maritime publication issued by the Hydrographic Department of the United Kingdom . They include Admiralty Notices, Australian and New Zealand Notices. They are published on a weekly basis. There is also an annual summary version.

 

The Admiralty Notice to Mariner includes 6 sections. Section one, Explanatory Notes and indexes to Section two. Sections two. Admiralty Notices to Mariners-Corrections to charts. Section three, reprints of Radio Navigational Warnings. Section four, Corrections to Admiralty Sailing Di-    rections. Section five , Corrections to Admiralty List of lights and Fog Signals . Section six, Corrections to Admiralty list of Radio Signals. 

On my last ship, the ship owner provided us with the Notice to Mariners in every major port. H they failed to give us the Notice , we' 11 send them a request for this .

 

21. It is very important to get rid of the outdated charts and other SMS documents on board. Why?

 

It is very important to keep the latest revised charts (also some other ISM documents on board) in the deck and engine room , and keep away those out-of-dated charts because after a     period of time, you will not be able to know what documents are the newest ones. The mixture of the old and new documents on board can easily give rise to some problems for the safety of he    vessel. So it is very important to do away with the obsolete documents as soon as possible.

 

22. How do you maintain the clocks?

 

I am responsible for the vessel clocks except for those in the engine room . Before getting    underway, clocks shall be compared and synchronized, and the synchronization recordshall be entered into the Deck Logbook.

 

23. Under what situations do you call the engine room when you are on duty?

 

(1) Whenever it is necessary to make sure 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) Whenever the cargo pumps are used ; 

(10) One hour prior to getting underway.

 

24. What should you do first after you join a vessel?

 

Firstly, I shall familiarize myself with the Familiarization Booklet, the Muster Lists and Emergency Card in my cabin . Second, I shall report to the Master and get familiar with other officers and crew on board the vessel. Third , with accompaniment of the relieved Second Officer, I shall have an inspection of those items he was responsible for. Ishall discuss immediately with the Master on any unsatisfactory conditions, including equipment malfunctions. I shall also take over   all the documents the Second Officer should take care of. A good handover with the relieved Second Officer is the most important thing for me .

 

25. When do you have to change from the automatic steering to manual steering?

 

The steering mode should be changed from automatic to manual mode under the following circumstances:

( 1) in any emergency situations; (2) in diminishing and restricted visibility, as defined by the Master; (3) when the ship's steering in shallow water; (4) when the Master thinks necessary.

 

When the steering mode is changed, the watch officers shall supervise the process.

 

26. If ship collision happens when you are on duty, what procedure should you follow?

 

I should follow the emergency checklist.

 

Firstly, I will sound the alarm for emergency;   Secondly, I will inform the Master immediately; Thirdly, I will inform the engine room and prepare engine standby;

 

After ship collision, all the tanks should be sounded and the ship owner, manager should be   informed of the accident. The accident report should also be sent to the all concerned parties and the coast country. And all the above actions, ship’s position, times, etc. should be recorded properly.

 

27. Before the ship sails to a new port, if you do not have one or two necessary charts, what should you possibly do?

 

If possible , I will ask for help from the Master. If the Master cannot help, I may ask for help from the vessels sailing in the same area. Anyway, I will try to solve the problem before the vessel sails to the port.

 

这是一个合格的二副所应该具备的应变的能力。相信绝大多数船东都能按时提供海图，但是万 一出现上述情况，二副应千方百计想办法弄到海图。

 

28. What is safety speed during sailing? What factors should you consider hi deciding the speed of a vessel during sailing hi the sea?

 

The safe speed is the speed at which the vessel can take proper and effective actions to be stopped in a safe distance. The following factors should be taken into account to achieve safe speed: visibility, number of ships in the area, the ship's maneuverability, wind force, sea tide and    current, background lights, draught and available depth of water, proximity of navigational hazards, standard and operation of technical equipment on board, ice condition and so on.

 

29. When navigating in a crossing situation, as master or duty officer, what anti-collision measures should be taken? When the vessels are proceed on head-on condition, what anti-collision rule should be observed? When a power-driven ship and sailing meet in the sea, what anti-collision rule should be observed?

 

When two power-driven ships are crossing, the ship which has the other ship on her own starboard side shall keep out of way. To do this, this ship can either alter course to starboard side or slow down her speed in order to avoid collision .

 

When two power-driven ships are meeting head-on situation or near head-on situation , each ship shall alter course to starboard so that they can pass on the port side of each other at a safe  distance.

 

When a ship sails at a higher speed overtakes another ship , the ship shall sails at higher speed or shall alter its course to avoid collision.

 

A power-driven ship shall keep out of the way of a sailing ship. This can be done either altering its course or speed up to avoid collision .

 

30. You are the watch officer at anchor on an 8000-ton ship which is about 400 feet long. If the weather becomes foggy and foggy, what precautions should you take?

 

I would station a man forward with orders to ring the ship’s bell rapidly for about 5 seconds every minutes and another man aft to sound the gong likewise. Ship's whistle or siren would be ready for use in case of necessity to give warning of my position to a vessel approaching. The   signals for this warning shall be 3 blasts in succession.

 

31. When should a turnover (handover) of watch be deferred or postponed?

 

Usually, under the following situations, the turnover can be deferred or even postponed: (1) K 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 us 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.

 

32. Under what conditions should you as officer on watch change the ship's speed? Refer to the Questions and Reference Answers for the Chief Officer.

 

33. 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 lockout; 

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

 

34. 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.

 

35. 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.

 

36. When is great circle sailing most advantageous? Please explain briefly.

 

The shortest distance between two meridians is the arc of the great circle contained between these two points. The advantages of using the great circle sailing are most obvious in high

 

latitudes, where there is a large difference of longitude between the points of departure and destination .

 

37. How do you do the chart work?

 

The chart work must be so detailed that the Master or relieving officer can easily and find out the ship’s last known position and from that they can determine its present position .

 

Detailed chart work includes course line, DR position marked with time and distance , observed position with time and distance plus the position fixing method.Special notes like when the Master should be informed and when to slow down, etc . are also needed in some dangerous areas.

 

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

 

I should throw him a lifebuoy and follow the emergency procedure. That is to say, I should sound the alarm , inform the Master and the engine room , make the Williamson Turn and keep  constant lockout.

 

39. What is confine waters? What factor should you take into account when you make passage plan in the confined waters?

 

Confined waters means an area of the sea where the width of the safely navigable waterway is not more than about 2 miles, such as a strait, considering the draft of the vessel and water depth.

 

For navigation in confined waters, I shall consider the following matters in planning a passage:

 

(1) Presence/absence of special navigational rules and items to report. 

(2) Information on the sailing directions, coast pilot, and so on . 

(3) The draft of the vessel and the navigable area of the sea. 

(4)The effect of sinkage of the hull (squat) and keeping enough under keel clearance. 

(5) Tides, and a tidal current. 

(6) Weather conditions and counter-measures against restricted visibility. 

(7) Use of navigation aids to give a sign, and setting of Parallel Index (line for avoiding danger). 

(8) Passing time of danger points (daylight/night-time)? 

(9) The degree of congested water-traffic , crowded area with fishing boats, and counter-measures for the above mentioned. 

(10) The vessel's maneuvering ability. 

(11) Necessity/lack of necessity for adjustment of the vessel’s speed.

 

40. What is safety speed during sailing? What factors should you consider in deciding the speed of a vessel during sailing in the sea?

 

The safe speed is the speed at which the vessel can take proper and effective actions to be stopped in a safe distance. The following factors should be taken into account to achieve safe speed: visibility, number of ships in the area, the ship' s maneuverability, wind force, sea tide and   current, background lights, draught and available depth of water, proximity of navigational hazards, standard and operation of technical equipment on board, ice condition and so on.

 

41. When navigating in a crossing situation, as master or duty officer, what anti-collision measures should be taken? When the vessels are proceed on head-on condition, what anti-collision rule should be observed? When a power-driven ship and sailing meet in the sea, what anti-collision rule should be observed?

 

When two power-driven ships are crossing , the ship which has the other ship on her own starboard side shall keep out of way. To do this, this ship can either alter course to starboard side or slow down her speed in order to avoid collision .

 

When two power-driven ships are meeting head-on situation or near head-on situation , each ship shall alter course to starboard so that they can pass on the port side of each other at a safe  distance.

 

When a ship sails at a higher speed overtakes another ship , the ship shall sails at higher speed or shall alter its course to avoid collision.

 

A power-driven ship shall keep out of the way of a sailing ship. This can be done either altering its course or speed up to avoid collision .

 

42. What is ISM Code? How many chapters are there in ISM Code now? What is DOC and SMC?

 

ISM means International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and for Pollution Prevention . It is made by the IMO.