On VHF: transmit on Channel 16. On DSC: lift the cover and press and hold the dedicated distress control until the alert has been sent, following the fitted set's posted operating instructions. The alert transmits the vessel MMSI and, where current navigation input and a nature of distress are available, position, time and the selected nature of distress. Then follow up with the voice Mayday on Ch 16.
Say it out loud. Talk “DSC alerts — sending and responding” through with the live Tutor.
The Master–Pilot Exchange — Contents, Both Directions
From the ship
From the pilot
The pilot card: dimensions, draught, displacement, manoeuvring data (turning circles, stopping distances), propulsion and thruster particulars, equipment state and ANY defects
His intended plan: route, courses and speeds, tidal windows, tug arrangements, berthing plan and side-to
Our own berth-to-berth plan for the pilotage waters — compared and reconciled with his
Local conditions: works, traffic, depths differing from the chart
Working arrangements: helm order conventions, who works the engines, comms channels
Abort options and contingencies agreed
Say it out loud. Talk “Pilotage planning and the master–pilot exchange” through with the live Tutor.
Pilot Boarding Arrangements — The Physical Standard
SOLAS V/23 and the associated IMO standards make the ladder itself examinable, because pilots die on bad ladders every year:
Item
Standard
The ladder
Certified pilot ladder, in good condition, secured to strong points — never shackled to side rails; steps unbroken, whipped, clean
Position
On the lee side as the pilot requests, clear of discharges, within the parallel body of the hull where possible
Combination arrangements
Where freeboard exceeds 9 m, accommodation ladder rigged in combination per the required geometry
Attendance
A responsible officer at the ladder with lifebuoy and light, comms to the bridge; the ship making the lee, course and speed as agreed with the pilot boat
Say it out loud. Talk “Pilot boarding arrangements” through with the live Tutor.
DSC watch on Ch 70 (the set keeps it); AURAL watch on Ch 16 — a human keeps it: volume audible at the conn, checked at handover; plus the working/VTS channels for the area
Daily
DSC self-test without radiating; battery condition/charge; printers where fitted
Weekly
Live DSC test call where required; reserve power source tested
Monthly
EPIRB self-test and physical check (lanyard, hydrostatic release EXPIRY date — the classic Port State finding); SART test; survival craft VHF batteries; aerials and insulators inspected
Say it out loud. Talk “GMDSS watchkeeping and false alert procedures” through with the live Tutor.
The International Code of Signals gives every single letter a complete message — hoisted alone, each is a sentence. Examiners pick from a short list, and several also exist as sound signals (one letter = its Morse equivalent by whistle or lamp):
Flag
Meaning
A (Alfa)
I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed — rigid replica at least 1 m high for dive ops
B (Bravo)
I am taking in, discharging or carrying dangerous goods — the bunkering flag
G (Golf)
I require a pilot
H (Hotel)
I have a pilot on board
J (Juliett)
I am on fire and have dangerous cargo aboard: keep well clear
K (Kilo)
I wish to communicate with you
L (Lima)
You should stop your vessel instantly
N over C
The two-flag distress signal — NC
O (Oscar)
Man overboard
P (Papa)
The Blue Peter — in harbour: all persons report aboard, vessel about to sail
Q (Quebec)
My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique — the customs/clearance flag on arrival
T (Tango)
Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling
U (Uniform)
You are running into danger
V (Victor)
I require assistance
W (Whiskey)
I require medical assistance
X (X-ray)
Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals
Y (Yankee)
I am dragging my anchor
Z (Zulu)
I require a tug
Say it out loud. Talk “Pilotage planning and the master–pilot exchange” through with the live Tutor.
Scenario questions from the oral, with the reasoning after each one. The answers that look nearly right are there on purpose.
Module 14
Oral questions
Answer each one out loud before you open the model answer. If you can't say it, you don't know it yet.
Q1The pilot boards and immediately orders "full ahead, starboard ten" before any exchange has happened. What do you do?Model answer ▾
Execute nothing unsafe, and get the exchange done in parallel with safe progress: "Pilot, half ahead while we complete the exchange — here's the pilot card, our draught is 2.9, and we have a plan showing the tide gate at the narrows at 1440. What are your intentions for the approach?" The MPX is not optional ceremony — until it's done I cannot monitor him, and an unmonitored pilot is the setup for half the groundings in the MAIB library. If he resists the exchange entirely, that itself is information: the master comes to the bridge and the team's monitoring tightens rather than relaxes.
Q2A pilot is on board. Are you still responsible for the safe navigation of the vessel?Model answer ▾
Yes — completely. The presence of a pilot does not relieve the OOW or the Master of responsibility for safe navigation. The pilot is an expert adviser who knows the local waters. The Master commands the vessel. If I have any doubt about the pilot's actions or intentions I must seek clarification from the pilot directly. If doubt still exists after seeking clarification, I notify the Master immediately and take whatever action is necessary until the Master arrives on the bridge.
Q3What are the GMDSS sea areas?Model answer ▾
A1 — within VHF DSC range of a coast station, typically up to 30–40nm offshore. A2 — within MF DSC range, approximately 150–200nm offshore, outside A1. A3 — within coverage of a recognised mobile satellite service (Inmarsat, approximately 70°N to 70°S, or Iridium), outside A1 and A2 — covers all ocean passages in the main cruising latitudes. A4 — everything outside A1, A2 and A3: in practice the polar regions. Each sea area requires specific GMDSS equipment to be carried.
Q4How do you send a Mayday on VHF?Model answer ▾
On Ch 16: MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — THIS IS — [vessel name × 3] — MAYDAY — [vessel name] — my position is [position] — [nature of distress] — [number of persons on board] — [any other relevant information such as vessel type, condition, assistance required] — OVER. I would also activate the DSC distress function on the VHF controller — hold the distress button for 5 seconds — which broadcasts an automatic digital alert with our MMSI and GPS position to all DSC-equipped vessels and coast stations in range. Then follow up immediately with the voice Mayday on Ch 16.
Ready?
Sit a live oral on Pilot & GMDSS.
The live Examiner asks the questions out loud, coaches you when you miss, and gives you a debrief.