Appendix 1 - Syllabus for the AMSA Oral Exam, Cert
Compt, Master & Chief Mate (Unlimited), Master and
Chief Mate <3000 GT
AUSTRALIAN MARITIME SAFETY AUTHORITY
NOTES TO CANDIDATES:
1. It should be noted that the following is not a fully detailed list of orals
questions, but a list of topics about which candidates are expected to have
adequate knowledge, and is provided for the guidance of candidates only
2. The Examiner may ask any questions relevant to the following topic
areas, and / or ask the candidate to provide answers in diagrammatic
form, or to complete simple calculations, to the extent necessary to test
the candidate’s competency in the managerial, operational and safety
aspects related to the duties of the grade of certificate applied for.
3. Candidates for both Masters and Chief Mates grade of certificate can be
asked questions from all sections listed, however the focus of the
questions and the assessment, will be related to the main management
responsibilities and shipboard duties involved in the certificate being
applied for.
4. As this syllabus also incorporates the syllabus for lower grade
certificates, the Examiner may ask questions related to those lower grade
certificates as it effects the overall safe operation of the vessel.
5. Candidates should note that they may be required to demonstrate their
proficiency in RADAR plotting and chart-work.
6. During the examination, candidates will be required to demonstrate that
they possess an adequate knowledge and understanding in the use of the
English language.
Section 1 – Management of Regulatory and Ship’s
Administration
Knowledge of ship inspection and survey programmes and
the roll of Port State control and Flag State Control Officers
Knowledge of a ships certification, documentation and
records.
Knowledge of classification societies, classification and
surveys of ships and equipment.
Knowledge of appropriate Australian legislation, statutory
requirements, including the ISM Code and the application
thereof.
Knowledge of relevant International Codes and Conventions
and the application thereof.
Knowledge of Australian OH & S legislation as it applies to
the maritime industry.
Ship administration duties, shipmasters business and
carriage of goods by sea
Joining a vessel and the responsibilities and duties of
shipboard personnel
Section 2 – STCW Standards of Watch-keeping
Principals to be observed in keeping a watch in port, on the
bridge watch at sea, at anchor and under pilotage.
Voyage planning berth to berth
Bridge resource management
Protection of the marine environment
Section 3 - Bridge Equipment
Knowledge of the different types of bridge and navigation
equipment, along with the operation, testing, errors and
precautions associated with the use of such equipment.
Section 4 – Navigation, Charts and Publications
Maintenance and practical knowledge of nautical publications
and charts.
Knowledge of ship reporting systems and the promulgation
of all relevant maritime safety information.
Knowledge of the use of charts and interpretation of charted
information, including the general principles of voyage planning.
Knowledge of all aspects of practical navigation and
obtaining tidal information required by senior management
shipboard personnel
Section 5 - Stress and Stability
Practical knowledge and use of all relevant sources of
information to safely load a vessel and assess a vessel’s
stability condition, trim and list.
Principles of ship stability
Knowledge of Load lines and seasonal zones, drafts and the
effects of changes in water density
Knowledge of the different types of shipboard stresses and
means of reducing such stresses.
Management of free surface effects
Section 6 - Cargo Work
Knowledge of Australian and international legislation, and
detailed knowledge of the requirements, relating to the
carriage, stowage, securing, loading and unloading of cargoes
on various types of vessels.
Knowledge of typical cargo handling equipment found on
various types of vessels.
Knowledge of all aspects on confined space entry
Knowledge of the carriage of dangerous goods
Section 7 - Ship Handling
Knowledge of manoeuvring techniques, principles and
characteristics for the main ship types, and their propulsion
systems.
Knowledge of the safe principles of mooring and unmooring,
anchoring and heaving to
Knowledge of the use of tugs and anchors
Knowledge of interaction and other factors affecting
manoeuvring in narrow channels and shallow water
Knowledge of the principles for the safe embarking and
disembarking of a pilot, and launch and recovery of rescue craft
Management of vessel in adverse weather and the effect of
wave impact on a vessel, the effect of adverse weather on
various ship operations involving manoeuvring
Section 8 - Prevention of Pollution
Knowledge of Australian and International legislation in
relation to pollution
Safe management principles of all relevant shipboard
precautions to prevent pollution.
Knowledge of the actions to be taken in event of a pollution
incident
Knowledge of bunkering precautions
Section 9 - Emergency Situations / Response and Equipment
Knowledge of contemporary safety issues, reports and
papers, affecting the maritime industry
Management level response to various shipboard emergency
situations both in port and at sea
Principles of damage control and salvage
Obligations to render assistance and in sending emergency
signals
Knowledge of the safe management of helicopter operations
Knowledge of the safe principles of towing operations
Section 10 - Dry Docking
Preparations for docking and undocking including stability
issues
Precautions and dangers whilst in dock
Management of OH & S issues in dock
Section 11 - Search and Rescue
Knowledge of search and rescue publications, procedures,
communications and equipment
Knowledge of survival techniques
Section 12 – Essential Shipboard Equipment and Machinery
Knowledge of the operation of various types of shipboard fire
fighting and life saving equipment, together with an
understanding of the associated safety aspects and precautions
related to operation of such equipment.
Operation, maintenance and inspection requirements of
essential shipboard equipment and machinery
Management and organisation of statutory drills.
Knowledge of all factors affecting the watertight integrity of
the ship
Knowledge of correct operation of on load release gear for
survival craft
Section 13 – Collision Avoidance and Buoyage
The application and content of the International Regulations
for Preventing Collisions at Sea Collision avoidance
Knowledge of the internationally adopted system of buoyage.
