1 It is important that masters and chief mates
should have had relevant experience and training before assuming the
duties of master or chief mate of large ships or ships having unusual
manoeuvring and handling characteristics significantly different from
those in which they have recently served. Such characteristics will
generally be found in ships which are of considerable deadweight or
length or of special design or of high speed.
2 Prior to their appointment to such a ship, masters
and chief mates should:
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.1 be informed of the ship’s handling characteristics
by the company, particularly in relation to the knowledge, understanding
and proficiency listed under ship manoeuvring and handling in column
2 of table A-II/2 – Specification
of the minimum standard of competence for masters and chief mates
on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more; and
-
.2 be made thoroughly familiar with the use of
all navigational and manoeuvring aids fitted in the ship concerned,
including their capabilities and limitations.
3 Before initially assuming command of one of
the ships referred to above, the prospective master should have sufficient
and appropriate general experience as master or chief mate, and either:
-
.1 have sufficient and appropriate experience
manoeuvring the same ship under supervision or in manoeuvring a ship
having similar manoeuvring characteristics; or
-
.2 have attended an approved ship handling simulator
course on an installation capable of simulating the manoeuvring characteristics
of such a ship. footnote