Some Questions in Preparation for Interview Captain Dubaian & Q/A

Aramco Evaluation (Master/C.O/2.O)

but not limited only to that

1- What is your priority in safety?

 Personnel safety.
 Crew & Pax Safety.
 Ship Safety.
 Client Assets Safety.

2- What you will do in case of emergency?

 Call Master.
 Call nearest port control.
 Follow the emergency response plan.

3- How many annexes in MARPOL?

6 annexes.
4- MARPOL Means?
International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships.
5- MARPOL annexes?
 Annex I Regulations for the Prevention of Pollution by Oil (entered into force 2 October
1983).
 Annex II Regulations for the Control of Pollution by Noxious Liquid Substances in
Bulk (entered into force 2 October 1983).
 Annex III Prevention of Pollution by Harmful Substances Carried by Sea in
Packaged Form (entered into force 1 July 1992).
 Annex IV Prevention of Pollution by Sewage from Ships (entered into force 27 September
2003).
 Annex V Prevention of Pollution by Garbage from Ships (entered into force 31 December
1988).
 Annex VI Prevention of Air Pollution from Ships (entered into force 19 May 2005).
6- COLREG: -
 The rules contents of 41 rule & 4 Annexes
 Rule no. 5: Look - Out: -
Every vessel shall at all times maintain a proper lookout by sight & hearing as well as by all
available means appropriate in the prevailing circumstances & conditions so as to make a
full appraisal of the situation & of the risk of collision.
 Rule no. 6: Safe Speed: -
Every vessel shall at all time proceed at safe speed so that she can take proper and effective
action to avoid collision and be stopped within a distance appropriate to the prevailing
circumstances and conditions.
 Rule no. 7: Risk of Collision: -
If the compass bearing of the vessel is not change and distance change.
Vessels must use all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances &
conditions to determine if risk of collision exists.
NOTE: Radar on long range scanning to obtain early warning of risk of collision.
 Rule no. 8: Action to avoid collision: -
Any action to avoid collision shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, be positive made
in ample time
Any alternative of course or speed to avoid collision to be Large enough.
Safe distance.
If necessary, reduce speed or reversing her means of propulsion.
 Rule no. 9: Narrow channel: -
A vessel proceeding along a narrow channel must keep to starboard.
Small vessel or sailing vessels must not impede large vessels which can navigate only within
a narrow channel.
Ships must not cross a channel if to do so would impede another vessel which can navigate
only with that channel.
 Rule no. 10: TSS (Traffic Separation Schemes): -
TSS require ships to cross traffic lanes at right angles to reduce confusion and speed up
crossing.
 Rule no. 12: Sailing vessels: - Two Sailing vessels approaching one another must give way as
follows:
Port give way to starboard.
Windward gives way to Leeward.
Unsure port gives way.
 Rule no. 13: Overtaking: -
An over taking vessel must keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken.
Overtaking means approaching another vessel at more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam.
 Rule no. 14: Head-on situation: -
When two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on both must alter course to starboard.
 Rule no. 15: Crossing situation: -
When two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on starboard
side must give way and avoid crossing ahead of her “if to starboard red appear, it is your
duty to keep clear”.
 Rule no.16: Action by Give-Way Vessel: -
Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as
possible, take early & substantial action to keep well clear.
 Rule no. 17: The stand-on vessel: -
The stan-on vessel shall maintain her course and speed, but she may take action to avoid
collision if it becomes clear that give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action.
 Rule no. 18: Responsibilities between vessels: -
Exemption: - Rule no. (9, 10, 13) Narrow channels, Traffic Separation Schemes, and when
overtaking.
# A power-driven vessel: must give way to:
1-Not Under command.
2-Restricted in her ability to maneuver (this may include vessels towing one another).
3-Vessel engaged in fishing.
4-Sailing vessel.
 Rule no. 19: Restricted visibility: -
1-Applies to vessels (not in sight of one another) in or near restricted visibility.
2-All ship shall proceed at a safe speed.
3-Engine stand-by for immediate maneuver.
4-All Ships shall comply with rule no. 5 (Look-out), 6 (Safe speed), 7 (Risk of collision), 8
(Action to avoid collision), 9 (Narrow channels), 10 (Traffic Separation Schemes).
5-Avoid any turn to port side for a vessel detected forward of the beam, except for a vessel
being overtaken.
6-Avoid any change of course toward a vessel abeam, or abaft the beam.

7- What are the Distress Signals? Rule No. 37 / Annex IV

 Pyrotechnics: a- Orange Smoke. b- Hand Flare. c- Rocket Parachute.
 Continuous sounding with any fog.
 Morse Code: SOS - - -
 GMDSS: Radiotelephony “Mayday”, DSC on VHF Ch. (70) or MF/HF, Inmarsat,
EPIRP & SART.
 Square Flag having above or below it a ball.
 Flames (burning tar barrel or oil barrel).
8- What are the Lights/Sound signals/day shapes of NUC, RAM, Towing, Aground and
Constrained by her draft?
“Lights” & “Sound Signals” and “Day shapes”

No. Type of vessel Light Shapes Sound Signals Day Shapes

1 Not Under Command
Rule No. 27

2 Restricted her ability to

maneuver
Rule No. 27

3 Constrained by her draft

Rule No. 28

4 Towing --------
Rule No. 24

5 Aground
Rule No. 30

9- Flags means?
Answer: -
10- What are the cardinal buoys, isolated Danger, and special mark buoys characteristics?
1- Cardinal Buoys:

Indicate that the deepest water in the area lies to the named side of the mark.

2- Isolated Danger Buoys:

Dangerous under my area
3- Special Mark Buoy:

Used to indicate special areas or features.

4- Safe Water Mark Buoy:

Serve to indicate that there is navigable water all-round the mark and do not mark a danger.
5- Emergency Wreck Buoy:

Is designed to provide high visual and radio aid to navigation recognition.

11- Passage plan preparation, procedures, Action in case emergency (lose Gyros / lose Magnetic
Compass/ lose propulsion during passage in channel)?
Answer: -
1- Passage Plan Procedures: -

 Appraisal: -
Check the correct charts onboard with last updates & check all navigational equipment.
 Planning: -
Areas to avoid ex. 500 m Zone.
UKC.
TS. Traffic Separation.
AIS update.
Time of HW & LW.
Departure & Arrival ports.
Master & Bridge Team Satisfied with voyage plan.
 Execution: -
once the vessel leaves the berth or platform until the voyage plan completed.
 Monitoring: -
By radar range & Bearing position of GPS, Parallel Index where possible to verify that the vessel
is maintaining its track & weather condition.

12- Action in case emergency: Lose Gyro Compass/Magnetic Compass/ Lose propulsion during
passage on channel?
1- Call Master.
2- Follow emergency response plan.
3- Inform nearest port control.
13- How many points does compass rose have & how many degrees is each point?
Compass rose points = 32 points
Degree = 11.25 degree.
14- H2S characteristic and actions to be taken in emergency?
Answer: -
H2S characteristics: -
Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) is a colorless, flammable, and toxic gas which is highly poisonous smell
like rotten eggs.
Heavier than air & easy to spread by wind and soluble in water.
Actions to be taken in case of an emergency: -
 Call master immediately.
 Start emergency gas alarm.
 Immediately wear EEBD or SCBA.
 All crew proceed to Master station at bridge & never go back without BA.
 All doors & ventilation must be closed & switched off.
 Pull out of the installation & proceed upwind & continue monitoring the gas.
 Inform VTS of location, port captain the time, wind speed as per ERP.
 The potential H2S can be reduced by using the vessel protective water spray system & FIFI
system.

15- What about SART/EPIRB/AIS and functions?

Answer: -
SART: - Search and Rescue Transponder.
Functions of SART: - designed to be used in distress situations at sea. It is typically a self-
contained and waterproof device that can be either a radar-SART or a GPS-based AIS-SART. A
radar-SART functions by producing a series of dots on a rescuing ship’s radar display to help
locate a vessel in distress.
It can only respond to a 9 GHz X-band radar and is not visible on other radars. On the other
hand, a GPS-based AIS-SART utilizes the Automatic Identification System to provide the
vessel’s identification, position, and other vital information to the rescuing ship.

EPIRB: - Emergency Positioning Indicating Radio Beacon.

Functions of EPIRB: - are designed to save your life if you get into trouble by alerting
rescue authorities and indicating your location.

 Activate by itself when sinking under water from 1 meter to 4 meter.

 Send message on 406 MHZ to Satellite – Land Station -- Mission Control Centre Station
– Rescue Coordinate Center.
 Send message to vessels & Helicopter on 121.5 MHZ.
AIS: - Automatic Identification System
Functions of AIS: - is an automated tracking system that uses transceivers on ships for
vessel traffic services (VTS) and operates on VHF frequency, providing vessel data.
 16- Radar uses, true motion and relative motion/ Differences X Band / S-Band, CPA / TCPA?
Answer: -

True Motion Relative Motion

 The radar displays own ship &  The radar echoes move relative to
moving objects in their True motion display, also I can consider if there
Accordance with their true course is any risk of collision.
& speed.

X-Band
 Wave Length 3cm – Frequency 9
GHZ.
 Use in short range.
 Able to detect smaller objects.
 Can detect SART 9 GHZ.
CPA
 Closest Point of Approach.
 CPA is the minimum separation
distance between two vessels,
measured in nautical miles, and is
crucial for assessing collision risk
S-Band
 Wave length 10 cm – Frequency 3
GHZ.
 Use in long far range distance.
 Good in heavy weather.
TCPA
 Time of Closest Point of Approach.
 TCPA measured in minutes and
seconds, indicates the time it takes
for two vessels to approach their
closest point of approach,
suggesting a potential collision risk.

North up Head up Course up

 The radar display  The radar displays  The radar display
aligns with True the heading line and aligns with the
North, shows in the targets relative to vessel’s course,
top of screen, same the ship's heading. shows the ship’s
as chart.  In case of losing direction on the top
gyro automatic of screen, same as
change to H. UP eye view, Good in
mode, Same as eye Brg from E – W /
view. 090-270
The main difference lies in the reference direction.

True course Magnetic course Compass course

 The course  The course  The course
referenced to true referenced to referenced to the
north & un affected magnetic north & ship’s compass &
by magnetic requiring requiring
variation or adjustment for adjustments for
compass errors. magnetic variation both magnetic
to obtain True variations &
course. compass errors to
obtain true course.
 17- DP Questions??
Answer: -

PRS (Position Reference System)

 DGPS: Differential Global Navigation Satellite DGNS.
 Laser Based (CYSCAN – FAN BEAM).
 Hydro Acoustic based (HIPAP – Taut-Wire).
 Radio wave based (Radius – Rada-Scan - Artemis).

MRU (Motion Reference Unit) VRU/S (Vertical Reference Unit or System)

 Measures Roll, Pitch  Measures the Roll & Pitch.
and Heave.

ASOG: - Activity Specific Operation Guidelines.

 Operational, environmental and equipment’s performance limits with respect to the
specific activity that the DP vessel is undertaking.
 Had 4 stages: Green, Blue (Advisory), Yellow & Red.
 Green: Normal operation.
 Blue (Advisory): No immediate risk of losing position / Apply risk assessment.
 Yellow: High risk of losing position / A warning condition / I have to stop the operation.
 Red: Emergency Status / I have to stop the operation.
 You have to Notify Master if any condition except Green.
CAMO: - Critical Activity Mode of Operation. (PMS)
Shows how to Configure the vessels system to meets its maximum level of redundancy.
 Power generators.
 Distribution.
 Propulsion.
 Position reference system.
Have 2 stages: Green and Blue (Advisory).
TAM: - Task Appropriate Mode. (PMS)
The dp mode which the vessel can configure & accept that a single failure could in exceeding the
worst case & black out and loss of position (out of 500m Zone).
Capability Plot: -
 DP station keeping ability in a certain environmental condition.
 The position keeping ability in fully intact or certain degraded condition with respect to
various environmental condition.
Consequence analysis: -
 Consequence analysis evaluates potential impacts of system failure on a vessel, including
collisions, environmental damage, injuries, and operational disruptions, aiding in
identifying and addressing risks associated with DP operations.
Footprint: -
 It’s a plot showing the vessel excursions related to the selected target position.
 Excursions.
 Asses the capability plot.
Worst-Case Scenario / Failure: -

 Minimum capability of the vessel to hold position.

 Single failure mode resulting in maximum effect in DP capability.

Capability Plot: -

 DP Station keeping ability in a certain environmental condition.

 The position keeping ability in fully intact certain degraded condition and in various
environmental condition.
 Very important for risk assessment.

PMS: - Power Management System.

 The main task is to ensure the sufficient availability of power supply.

 To be capable of providing sufficient power for essential operation to prevent loads
from starting while there is insufficient generators capacity automatically or Loy
operator when necessary.
 PMS is to be applied with uninterruptible power supply system UPS.
UPS: - Uninterruptible Power Supply

 To be capable of supplying power for minimum of 30 mins after failure of the main
power system with fully function of DP control System.
Drift Off: -

 Loss of position caused by a partial / total loss of thrust leading vessel to drift away
from the installation.
Drive Off: -

 Loss of position caused by an improper & undesired force applied to the DP system
leading the vessel to move away from installation.
FMEA: - Failure Mode & Effects Analysis: - To evaluate processes for possible failures.
The main purpose of FMEA: -

 Carried out at least once Every 5 years

 A systematic analysis to the level of details required to demonstrate that no single
failure with cause a lose of position or heading and should verify worst case failure.
 For class 1 NO FMEA.
The ABC classification is used to categorize findings, dividing them into
o Class A (high-priority issues) for immediate attention.
o Class B (significant issues) for timely attention.
o Class C (less critical issues) for longer-term resolution.
FMECA: - Failure Mode & Effects Criticality Analysis: - A technique used to identify potential fails
the failure modes.

 Specific ways in which failures may occur for the components / assemblies /
subsystems we are analyzing.
 Studying the impact of identified failures modes on the whole system.
 Quantifying the level of risks associated with identified failure mode.

18- DP Procedures when entering 500-meter zone?

Before entering 500 meters

 One hour notice given prior to arrival at location to confirm cargo requirement and
location.
 Consideration of the weather condition.
 Clear communication channels established between all parties.
 Complete stop the vessel & test the maneuvering FWD & AFT / Function test for all
system.
 500-meter checklist / DP arrival checklist / DP setup checklist to be carried out.
 Establish Risk assessment for Escape route.
 Engine always manned by a certified marine engineer.
Entering 500 meter
 Auto pilot prohibited.
 Approach head on prohibited.
 No maintenance on any machinery effect DP system.
 No smoke, No MF/HF.
 No Hot work.
 Considering ASOG / CAMO.
 Max speed first 400-meter is 3.0 knots & last 100-meter 0.5 meter.
19- UKC Requirement in Aramco:
 Meaning: Under Keel Clearance
The distance between keel to highest point of seabed or pipeline.
 Maximum Speed:
From 1 to 2 meter = 5 knots.
From 2 to 3 meter = 8 knots.
From 3 meter or more = No speed restriction.
Inside Harbor when alongside jete minimum UKC = 0.3 meter.
Open sea or clear seabed minimum UKC = 1 meter or more.
Trenched pipeline minimum UKC = 5 meter or more.
Pipeline minimum UKC = 1 meter or more.
Note: -
Less than 2-meter UKC are to request permanent written dispensation from Rig
Move Group 48 hours prior to crossing.
Inform Tanajib Port VTS 1 hour before crossing including squat calculation.
 UKC Calculation:
Charted Depth + Ht. of tide – Draft – Squat
 Squat Calculation:
𝑽𝟐 ∗𝒄𝒃
in open water
𝟏𝟎𝟎

𝑽𝟐 ∗𝒄𝒃
in shallow water
𝟓𝟎

20- Safety Induction: -

21- Procedures from port to rig: -
 Confirm location with marine logistics.
 Ask permission from port control to start engine as per instruction from marine
logistics that you will proceed to the rig No...
 Call engine to start main engine.
 Start prepare passage plan, test all bridge equipment, prepare pre departure
checklist, Go or No-Go checklist and bridge team satisfied.
 Once you are ready call port control inform that engine ready & ask for mooring
man.
 Once all ropes onboard call port control ask permission to pull out.
 Call port control inform him enter channel outbound.
 Call port control again once finish with channel to inform him that you clear from
channel.
 1 hour before arrive to the field send passage plan WPT from field limit to rig for
approval by email to VTS / Field service.
 15 minutes before arrival to the field limit call VTS / Field service take approval for
passage plan & ask permission to enter the field limit to proceed to your location.
 15 minutes before arrive the location call rig.

22- Action in restricted visibility: -

 Call master.
 Reduce speed (stop the vessel if in oil field).
 Inform engine room.
 Adjust radars tunning.
 Extra lookout.
 Fog signals.
 Fill up company’s R.V C/L.
 Reduce position plotting interval.

23- Aramco Offshore Operation Manual elements:

 Health, Safety & Environment.
 Management of Emergencies.
 Contractor vessel operations.
 Port operations.
 Crew manning, Documents, Competency & Fitness.
 Marine Contracts Administration.
24- At a clear night you sighted a white light, what does it means to you?
 It may be a stern light of a vessel.
 It can be a small boat less than 7 meter long and speed.
 Vessel at anchor less than 50 meter.
 Masthead light of vessel less than 50 meter.
 Life raft top white light.

25- ERP: - Emergency Response Plan:

o IC: Incident Commander: For offshore emergencies will be the Rig move
coordinator, or Master of the vessel.
He is responsible for all incident activities.
o ICP: Incident Command Post: Will either be the vessel involved with the
incident remote locations only.
o IM: Incident Manager: He is the marine superintendent assigned to direct
offshore emergency response.
o ECC: Emergency Control Center: Port control is the initial point of contact
for all emergencies.