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Open deck boat (also the boat use in practical test)
3 hand flares (why 3? one to signal distress, one for confirm location, one for spare)
1 life buoy : 4 passengers (check number of pax can carry at license)
1 life jacket for every passenger
Partially deck boat (must know for theory)
6 hand flares
2 life buoy on each side of the boat
1 life jacket for every passenger
Boat checks - M F B C
Motor
- bring up motor and check propeller (no damage, no entanglement, etc)
- lower motor (button either on left or right) until hear the thud sound
Fuel
- open fuel compartment and check no leaks and ensure enough fuel for test
- prime 2 pumps (can be more) for morning session
Battery
- open battery compartment and check connection is secure and no leaks
Compartment
- open front and mid ship compartments and remove items and check for water leaks
Check overall condition of boat
Check internal and external conditions of boat from bow to stern
check all ropes are not damage
Check boat license
4 things to check
1. License number same as the boat
2. Expiry of license
SZH (commercial) or SZ (private)
License renew annual for both. Inspect once every year for SZH and once every 3 years for SZ
3. Number of passengers which also determine the number of life buoy
4. Special conditions if any
11 items to check during practical
Life jacket for every person
Life buoy (1 life buoy : 4 passengers)
Paddle
Anchor (check that shackle pin is secure tightly)
Weight of anchor = 1.5 * length of boat eg 1.5 * 7 m boat = 10.5 kg anchor
Length of scope = 4 to 7 x the depth of water in m
Formula for depth = depth from chart + tide from Singapore tide table - draft of boat
(If possible, get some idea between the different between depth vs UKC, under keel clearance)
AIS (Automatic Identify System. Check security of water then safely of boaters)
check condition, check turned on, check batt status (last 48 hours if full charge), check expiry
Just for knowledge : 3 security agencies - MPA, Police Coast Guard, Navy
Navigation light
- turn it on and check the light is on then switch off.
- on between sunset and sunrise or restricted visibility)
Fire bucket
Fire extinguisher (check expiry and pressure at green, pin is attached, no expiry, safety tag not tamper)
Bailer
3 Hand flares (check expiry)
Air horn (check is new and full of gas, use the weight to feel the gas)
3 - 1 - 3 - 1 check before unberthing
3- helm - turn full to each side to ensure is ok
3- throttle - push forward then neutral, push aft then neutral
3- kill switch (check kill switch is working and must know how to use)
1- check engine test
3- appoint lookout
3- ensure all wear life jacket
3- appoint someone for ropes
ask permission to start engine
1- check cooling water (turn helm to starboard to see water flowing)
ask for permission to release ropes first then assistant release stern then bow rope.
ask permission to unberth then assistant release mid ship rope
speed limit - no wake zone. 5 knots river, 6 knots cruise bay. 12 knots east strait of Johor. 1 knot = 1.852km or 1852m (theory must know)
Unberthing
Check stern is clear
Turn helm to starboard (turn helm away from jetty) to create gap between stern from jetty
Check stern is clear and throttle astern to make boat parallel to jetty then turn to port then hit neutral
Check starboard is clear then turn starboard
Ask permission to test throttle (to test the sensitivity of the throttle)
Head out at slow speed and keep to starboard of narrow channel (rule 9), maintain no wake speed. Avoid driving near or into any debris (rubbish in the water in laymen term)
Man overboard (Mob)
Turn first then nit neutral on side of Mob eg if Mob port side, turn port side and neutral. The logic is propeller and stern will stay clear of the man.
Shout MOB port/starboard side ->Deploy buoy -> Lookout for man
Throttle forward to create distance to neutralise (drive into) wind.
Approach man at 1230 with wind behind you
Turn away from man and hit neutral before man cross over the bow. The logic is you prevent hitting the man and the stern will move closer to the man when you turn away.
Assistant or tester pick up man, ask check man for injury or ok?
Berthing (always check wind condition)
3 spots - J Jetty, M4 or Wooden Jetty. Can be starboard or port berthing.
Rule of thumb (3 cases)
1. If wind helping you then aim at where bow should be with narrow angle (~30 deg with ref to jetty)
2. If wind is against you then aim at where stern should be with broad angle (~80 deg with ref to jetty)
3. If no wind then aim at where mid ship should be with moderate angle (~45 deg with ref to jetty)
How to berth?
Use one of the cases depend on wind condition
Turn full port away from berth (distance of 1.5 times the length of boat), wait 1 s to hit neutral
Throttle astern and turn full starboard 2s before neutral
Turn full port or md ship and throttle forward 1 s before neutral
Above method for berthing is very subjective, best to look at stern and see where propeller is pointing and turn helm accordingly.
DO NOT use hand when berthing (5 demerit point)
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PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment