Sam R NZ

Hey all.... as I posted a while back, I'm not a pom, I'm a kiwi so luckily don't have to do all the immigration stuff.... I just got back from a trip across the ditch and have now passed my Deck Watchkeeper's Certificate of Recognition orals (their version of 2nd Mates) definitely isn't anything but a full 2nd Mates oral.... very theory intensive unlike my initial kiwi ticket which was very practical questions.... easier in some ways, harder in others..... first question was desrcribing a class society.... flag state and port state inspection.... which led to any other inspections.... I told him OHS inspection which then led to describing some basics of Aus OHS Act.... then talked about what international laws and regs I knew off the top of my head..... SOLAS.... MARPOL.... how many and what annexes of MARPOL.... no more in depth than that.... ISPS.... what Aussie law puts ISPS into effect Maritime Transport and Offshore Facilities Act 2003.... what documentation might you use as 2nd Mate? garbage and oil record books, compass error book, certificates of test.... which Marine Order deals with cargo gear and certificates of test.... Marine Order 32..... what do you do when joining ship as 3rd Mate first time when stepping out of taxi at the wharf..... then into IMDG.... what sort of paperwork must be seen to be in order and received onboard before loading containers of DG..... what sort of paperwork and precautions before loading on a bulk carrier (he was seeing if I knew any of that "liquefaction" stuff about grain? is it angle of repose or something like that? I've never been on a bulkie so I just told him I would consult the IMOs grain code..... ok what is min GM on grain ship? I just told him not sure would look in grain code? what's minimim GM on any ship.... 0.15m..... random question what bridge checks on a container ship pre departure..... wasn't really clear what he wanted... I spouted off all your radar, charts bla bla boa.... he had to give me the answer "check the visibility that no containers are blocking the view from the bridge"! Into some COLREGS and buoys. Gave me a chart and asked me to draw a little passage plan for approaching a pilot station... gave me the parallel ruler and dividers etc. Pointed out a few things on the chart for me to describe.... what does this light do "flashing one in 10s, 20m high 19 Miles" etc. explain launching of lifeboat.... on load release etc. wasn't too much more but I was in there for 2 and a bit hours..... I had studied pretty in depth for specific Aussie law... but it was really just a standard full 2nd Mates oral...... hope this helps a bit as I couldn't find anything in the way of past questions or what I was going into beforehand... wing and a prayer lol

Hey Maging, Just thought I'd sign up even though I'm a Kiwi haha.... I'm currently studying in NZ for doing the OOW or as AMSA call it "Deck Watchkeepers" Certificate of Recognition for my NZ 2nd Mates Cert of Competency..... gotta love the idea of STCW being international.... I don't cherish the idea of doing orals again as I only just qualified in April.... my paperwork is being assessed by AMSA at the moment so waiting on the green light to book my Certificate of Recognition orals.... I suppose one benefit for me is that being in NZ Aussie companies will generally fly me back and forth i.e. I don't need to migrate, indeed that is one of the prerequisites I believe for the CoR is to either have a company sponsoring you or be an Aus or NZ citizen.... good for me but probably catch 22 for the poms? anyway I've heard conflicting stories of the OOW CoR orals as well.... I'm guessing it depends on whether the examiner is in a good mood or not.... the only first hand experience is a mate I worked with in NZ who's gone over there.... he's put the fear of god into me as he reckons he was in the exam for 3 hours and the examiner asked NOTHING about Aussie law, just everything out of the OOW syllabus like the guy was going for his 1st ticket after being a cadet.... gulp..... so I'll let ya know how I go once AMSA gives me the green light... cheers