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How to get your PPCDL
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How to get your Powered Pleasure Craft Driving Licence (PPCDL)
3 steps to get your PPCDL
1. Complete a 2 day course at one of the PPCDL centres approved by MPA
- Need to get a medical certificate to certify that pass eyesight test and not physically handicap (can book theory test first before the 2 day course and the medical test)
2. Theory test at Singapore Polytechnic (SP)
- $43.60 ($40+$3.60 GST)
- 30 MCQs, 26/30 to pass. After passing theory test , have to pass practical test within 2 years.
Tips : to pass the theory test, it is not only by memorizing, you need to understand the relationship especially COLREGs. The answer may be incorrect for some of the questions of online simulation test.
Remember chart symbols, location of islands (don't lose your one point due to these straightforward question).
3. Practical test at Poly Marina, 50 West Coast Road (next to RSYC)
- $109 ($100+$9 GST) - Singaporeans/PR
- $163.50 ($150+$13.50 GST) - Foreigners
- Less than 20 demerit point to pass.
Tips : to pass practical assessment, refresher course is strongly recommended.
4. After passing your practical (Congrats!), go to https://digitalport.mpa.gov.sg to apply your ppcdl license.
Under the tab Licenses, go to application for new PPCDL (get your NRIC, passport size pic, passed result slip ready)
After one working day, you will receive an email to pay. Go to payment and pay $20 nett (no GST) via debit/credit card and wait for the arrival of your physical license!
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PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment
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PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment (you need to know the rules to make sure you don't break it!)
1. Preparation to get underway
Overall hull condition check - 2
Equipment check - 2
Passenger check - 2
Lookout appointed - 2
Boat license check - 3
2. Starting engines
Propeller check - 3
Fuel / lubrication oil check - 3
Throttle position & steering check- 3
Engine cooling system check - 3
Start engine - 3
3. Unberthing
Surrounding check - 2
Steering control - 2
Engine speed control - 2
Cast off before starting engine - 5
Collided with jelly - 20 (Immediate failure)
4. Maneuvering
Look out not maintained - 3
Appropriate speed - 3
Steering ability - 3
One-hand steering - 3
Failure to give way - 20 (Immediate failure)
5. Man overboard
Inappropriate immediate action - 2
No follow up action - 2
Unable to take all the way before picking up - 5
2nd attempt - 5
Failed to retrieve "victim" - 20 (Immediate failure)
Collided with "victim" - 20 (Immediate failure)
6. Buoys and lighthouses
Identify buoys - 5
Identify lighthouses - 5
7. Berthing
Short / over berthing - 5
"Hard" berthing - 5
Fender-off - 5
Improper securing of boat - 5
2nd attempt - 5
Engine / hand stopping - 5
Failure to berth - 20 (Immediate failure)
Collided with jetty - 20 (Immediate failure)
8. Collision Prevention
Assessing risk of collision - 7
Action for head-on situation - 5
Action for crossing situation - 7
Action for overtaking vessel - 5
Action in narrow channel fairway - 5
Responsibilities between vessels - 5
Observance of good seamanship - 5
9. Recognition of lights and shapes (learn here)
Navigation lights and shapes - 4
Head on situation lights - 4
Crossing situation lights - 4
Overtaking situation lights - 4
Hampered vessel lights and shapes - 4
Anchored vessel light and shapes - 4
10. Action to be taken
In restricted visibilities - 5
To anchor the vessel - 5
Sound signal - 3
11. Other severe improper actions
Reckless action without good reasons - 10
Collided with large floating objects/crafts - 10
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PPCDL Practical Handling Assessment
PPCDL Practical Test Must Know
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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
IALA buoyage system
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IALA (International association of marine aids to navigation and lighthouse authorities)
IALA is divided into region A and B. Singapore is in Region A.
6 types of mark
Lateral mark, cardinal mark, isolated danger mark, safe water mark, special mark, emergency wreck marking buoy.
Differentiate by shape, color, top mark and light
1. Lateral mark
3 kinds of lateral mark
buoy (free floating structure)
beacon (fixed structure)
lighthouse (tower or building)
Region A only.
Port : color - red / light - flashing red / top mark : can shape
Starboard : color - green / light - flashing green / top mark : cone shape
Definition : downstream means from land to sea (like mountain which is land flows to sea), upstream means from sea to land (like sea flow up to mountain which is land)
If going back to land (upstream), red port buoy on your port side
If going out to sea (downstream), red port buoy on your starboard side
Green red green buoy - preferred channel port side. use the middle color (in this case is red), hence keep to port side.
Red green red buoy - prefer channel starboard side.
2. Cardinal mark
North - top mark : 2 cones point up / light - white, Q or VQ / color - Black over Yellow
South - top mark : 2 cones point down / light - white, Q(6)+LFI 10s or VQ(6)+LFI15s / color - Yellow over black
East - top mark : 2 cones point away (egg shape) / light - white, Q(3) 15s or VQ(3) 5s / color - Black over Yellow over black
West - top mark : 2 cones point toward (hourglass shape) / light - white, Q(9) 15s or VQ(9) 10s / color - Yellow over Black over Yellow
Tip to remember : If keep flashing ==> north, got long flash ==> south, group flash of 3 ==> east, group flash > 3 with pause AND NO long flash ==> west
3. Isolated danger mark
Danger below the mark. Stay clear as much as possible.
Color - black red black / white light - group flashing (2) / top mark : 2 black sphere
4. Safe water mark
Water around it are safe (opposite of isolated danger mark)
Color red white red / white light - one long flash every 10 s / top mark : 1 red sphere
5. Special mark
Indicate restricted area eg dumping ground, reclamation area, military exercise
Color yellow / yellow light - any rhythm not used by the rest of marks / top mark : "X" sign
6. Emergency wreck marking buoy
Temporary marking buoy until full suite of buoy can be deploy
Color yellow blue / yellow and blue light - alternate / top mark : "+" sign
See animation at https://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Navigation-buoys-marks-and-beacons
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Navigation lights and shapes
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Navigation lights and shapes (flashcards)
sidelights (green/red) 112.5 deg
stern light (white) 135 deg
3 cases
1.
🔴 port side
🟢 starboard side
🟢 🔴 ahead
⚪ stern
2. Optional mast light
🔴
🟢
🔴
port side
🔴
🟢
🟢
starboard side
🔴
🟢
🟢 🔴
ahead
🔴
🟢
⚪
stern
3. Sailing Vessel < 20 m
sidelights and stern combined in one lantern (112.5 deg * 2 one red for port and one green for starboard + 135 deg for stern white light)
Sailing vessel using engine
day sign (a cone pointing downward)
⮟
lights at night (same as power driven vessel < 50m)
⚪
🔴
port side
⚪
🟢
starboard side
⚪
🟢 🔴
ahead
⚪
stern
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
masthead head light (white) 225 deg (don't need if no engine eg sailing vessel)
sidelights (green/red) 112.5 deg
stern light (white) 135 deg
1. if < 50 m
⚪
🔴
port side
⚪
🟢
starboard side
⚪
🟢 🔴
ahead
⚪
stern
2. if > 50 m (+1 masthead light higher than front, total = 2 masthead lights)
⚪
⚪
🔴
port side
⚪
⚪
🟢
starboard side
⚪
⚪
🟢 🔴
ahead
⚪
stern
3. if > 12 m and < 20 m
masthead light, separate side lights and stern light
OR
masthead light, combined side lights and stern light
if < 12 m
all round white + side lights (red and green)
if < 7 m
all round white
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
4 cases
Length of tow < 200 m (NO day sign)
1. Length of tugboat < 50 m
⚪
⚪
🔴 🔴
port (green light for starboard)
⚪
⚪
🟢 🔴
🟢 🔴
ahead
🟡
⚪
⚪
stern
2. Length of tugboat > 50 m (+1 masthead light, hence total = 2 masthead lights)
⚪
⚪
⚪
🔴 🔴
port side (green lights for starboard)
⚪
⚪
⚪
🟢 🔴
🟢 🔴
ahead
🟡
⚪
⚪
stern
Length of tow > 200 m (HAVE day sign ♦ one on each vessel )
3. Length of tugboat < 50 m just add one more masthead light with ref to case 1
⚪
⚪
⚪
🔴 🔴
port side (green lights for starboard)
⚪
⚪
⚪
🟢 🔴
🟢 🔴
ahead
🟡
⚪
⚪
stern
◆
◆
day sign (one diamond on each boat)
4. Length of tugboat> 50 m just add one more masthead light with ref to case 2
⚪
⚪
⚪
⚪
🔴 🔴
port side (green lights for starboard)
⚪
⚪
⚪
⚪
🟢 🔴
🟢 🔴
from ahead
🟡
⚪
⚪
stern
◆
◆
day sign (one diamond on each boat)
In summary for vessel engaged in towing, only masthead lights is the differentiator
if length of tugboat < 50 m and length of tow < 200 m = 2 mastheads at fore
if length of tugboat > 50 m and length of tow < 200 m = 3 mastheads (2 fore + 1 behind)
if length of tugboat < 50 m and length of tow > 200 m = 3 mastheads at fore (got day sign of ♦ per vessel for > 200m)
if length of tugboat > 50 m and length of tow > 200 m = 4 mastheads (3 fore +1 behind) (got day sign of ♦ per vessel for > 200m)
If got yellow light, it is always vessel engage in towing and see from stern
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
Vessel engaged in fishing (other than trawling)
⮟ (hourglass shape)
⮝
⮝
⮝ (cone point up, opposite of sailing by power)
day sign
light (don't confuse with pilot vessel White over Red)
🔴
⚪
🔴
port side (green sidelight if starboard)
🔴
⚪
🟢 🔴
ahead
🔴
⚪
⚪
stern
Vessel engaged in fishing (trawling)
⮟ (hourglass shape)
⮝
day sign
light (green over white)
🟢
⚪
🔴
port side (green sidelight if starboard)
🟢
⚪
🟢 🔴
ahead
🟢
⚪
⚪
stern
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
vessel constrained by her draught
masthead light 225 deg
sidelights red/green 112.5 deg
stern light 135 deg
▮
day sign - black cylinder
3 red round (360 deg) light in vertical
⚪
🔴
🔴
🔴
🟢
starboard side (red sidelight if port side)
⚪
🔴
🔴
🔴
🟢 🔴
from front
🔴
🔴
🔴
⚪
from stern
Don't confuse 3 red balls (VCD) vs 3 black balls (Aground)
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
underwater operations, cabling, mine clearance operations
⚫
◆
⚫
day sign
🔴
⚪
🔴
light (RWR) not making way
light making way (include masthead, sidelights and stern light)
⚪
🔴
⚪
🔴
🟢
starboard side (red sidelight if port side) , < 50m
⚪
🔴
⚪
🔴
🟢 🔴
ahead, < 50m
🔴
⚪
🔴
⚪
stern, < 50m
RAM (dredger or diving operation) not making way
⚫
◆
⚫
⚫ ◆ (diamond safe to pass)
⚫ ◆
day sign
🔴
⚪
🔴
🔴 🟢 (green safe to pass)
🔴 🟢
ahead
🔴
⚪
🔴
🟢 🔴 (red obstruction)
🟢 🔴
stern
RAM (dredger or diving operation) making way
just include masthead (2 mastheads if > 50m), sidelights, and stern light
RAM - diving vessel
🔴
⚪
🔴
Day sign : Alpha flag - left white and right blue flag
RAM - minesweeper
⚫
⚫ ⚫
day sign
🟢
⚪
🟢 🟢
🟢 🔴
ahead (replace black balls with green lights + masthead + side lights)
🟢
🟢 🟢
⚪
stern
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
⚫
⚫
day sign
🔴
🔴
side, ahead and stern
if NUC making way then add masthead, sidelight and stern light
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
⚫ day sign
⚪ round white light
anchored vessel > 50 m
⚫ day sign
⚪ round white light at forefront + ⚪ round white light at stern lower than forefront when > 50 m
⚪
ahead
⚪
⚪
port/starboard side
⚪
⚪
see from stern
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
⚫
⚫
⚫
day sign (don't confuse with 3 red balls which is VCD)
🔴
🔴
⚪
port/starboard (<50m)
🔴
🔴
⚪
ahead (<50m)
🔴
🔴
⚪
stern (<50m)
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
Pilot vessel (flag : hotel, white and red color)
⚪
🔴
🟢
starboard, < 50m (red light if port)
⚪
🔴
🟢 🔴
ahead , <50m
⚪
🔴
⚪
stern, <50m
Back to sitemap for lights and shapes
Alpha. left White and right Blue : display during diving operation
Bravo. Full red : carrying dangerous goods
Hotel. left White and right Red : pilot vessel
Quarantine : Full Yellow. Stay away at least 200m
When you see these flags, there are usually big ship (not boat), and stay clear as much as possible.
See boat diagram at https://www.sailingissues.com/navcourse10.html
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COLREGs MUST KNOW
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Boating hierarchy (the right of way) (rule 18)
NUC > RAM > VCD > Fishing > Sailing > Power
Narrow channel/fairways (rule 9)
keep to starboard side that is safe and practicable (during practical test, there are many boats on your starboard side, so keep a good safe distance while keeping starboard)
3 kinds of vessel should not impede the narrow channel/fairways. In short, they must give way despite of boating hierarchy.
1. Vessel < 20m
2. sailing vessel
3. vessel engaged in fishing
Risk of collision - if no compass onboard use clock reference.
If bearing or clock reference NO change, risk of collision exist!
If bearing or clock reference changes, risk of collision may still exist (eg the vessel is long)
Traffic separation scheme (rule 10)
Joining and leaving at small angle of the general direction.
If crossing, cross as nearly to 90 deg as possible.
Keep clear of separation line as much as practical
Overtaking (rule 13)
Overtaking vessel should keep out of the way of the vessel being overtaken (behind keep out)
Sailing also have to keep out of the way when overtaking power vessel despite rule 18
Head on (rule 14)
both vessels alter to starboard except power vessel meet non power vessel eg sailing vessel (rule 18)
Crossing (rule 15)
vessel who has vessel on starboard side should keep clear (vessel on the starboard stand on)
Applies to 2 power driven. If the case is NOT head on (rule 14) and overtaking(rule 13) then must be crossing
if you see port light, then you are give way vessel (remember as see red light, you give way)
if you see starboard light, then you are stand on vessel (remember as see green light, you can continue)
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Sound
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Sound
⚫ short blast 1s
─ long blast 4 to 6s
alter to starboard ⚫
alter to port ⚫⚫
astern ⚫⚫⚫
I do not understand ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ or more
overtaking starboard side ─ ─ ⚫
overtaking port side ─ ─ ⚫⚫
If agree ─ ⚫─ ⚫ else disagree ⚫⚫⚫⚫⚫ or more
In restricted visibility (2 cases)
1. Power driven vessel
Making way ─ no more than 120s or 2m
Under way ─ ─ no more than 120s or 2m
2. Others (sailing vessel, engaged in fishing, RAM, NUC)
─ ⚫⚫no more than 120s or 2m
Vessel being towed ─ ⚫ ⚫⚫
Pilot Vessel ⚫⚫⚫⚫
─ 1 prolonged to warning or going to start moving
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