Boatmasters’ Licence

Generic Syllabus
Categories A to D, and to
Limited Coastal Sea
Waters

Syllabus requirements for the issue of

Boatmasters’ Licence – Tier 1 Level 2

Maritime & Coastguard Agency

BML Tier 1-Level 2 Rev 5.1 Jan 2007

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Contents
Introduction

Section 1

1. Bridge watchkeeping

2. Meteorology

3. Ship manoeuvring

4. Vessel handling in extreme weather

5. Mooring and unmooring a vessel

6. Ropework, access and lifting gear

7. Ship knowledge and publications

8. Basic engineering knowledge and machinery

9. Health and safety

10. Emergency action

11. Pollution prevention and handling and waste management

Section 2

1. Generic chartwork, navigation and position fixing

2. Locks and bridges

Section 3

1. Tides and currents

2. Compass work

3. Anchor work

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Introduction
The mandatory requirements for the issue of Boatmasters’ Licence and the standards of
competence to be achieved are set out in relevant Statutory Instrument. The Maritime
and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has agreed with the relevant sectors that the
specifications described in this document will satisfy those requirements for
Boatmasters’ training and certification undertaken in the United Kingdom.

Health and Safety: Conduct of training

Training relevant to the certification and if undertaken must adhere to applicable

regulations made under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and take proper
account of the advice given in associated guidance documents and ‘Approved Codes of
Practice’.

Organisations or Centres providing related training are required to make assessments of

any potential risks to the health and safety of staff and trainees that may be associated
with their activities. They are also required to identify, implement, monitor and review
effective measures for minimising and controlling them. In addition, centres will be
required to make effective arrangements for dealing with any emergency, incident or
accident that may occur during the course of training. In the UK, the foregoing is
required in accordance with the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations
1999.

Training Guidance

It is expected that participants would spend at least 180 hours of full time study to
complete the syllabus.

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 GENERIC SYLLABUS – Tier 1 Level 2

1. Bridge watchkeeping

a) Describes the process of pre-sailing checks including the methods of

securing openings such as weather deck hatches, tank lids, ventilators,
air and sounding pipes prior to departure

b) Describes the process of pre-arrival checks and preparations

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of securing a vessel for departure

d) Describes the procedures for relief, maintenance, takeover and

handover of a watch

e) Explains and describes the responsibilities of a lookout

f) Recognises sound and light signals

g) Describes the reporting procedures

h) Demonstrates a knowledge of good navigational practice while

underway

i) Describes routine communication procedures with other members of the

watch/crew on matters relating to watchkeeping

j) Demonstrates a working knowledge of the English language in marine

terminology

2. Meteorology

a) Explains meteorological terms in sufficient depth to interpret weather

conditions

b) Explains use of non-instrumental observations

c) Describes wind force, Beaufort scale, direction, true and apparent wind

d) Describes types of cloud, cloud cover and precipitation

e) Identifies on surface charts the main synoptic patterns and describes

the associated weather (UK only)

f) Defines visibility including horizontal visibility

g) Describes waves, sea and swell state

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 h) Demonstrates a knowledge of the weather services available to
shipping

3. Ship Manoeuvring

Steering by compass

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of steering a vessel including helm orders

and altering course by helm orders

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of course keeping, altering course by

compass and the procedure for making large alterations including
maintaining of course by shore marks

c) Explains the effect of weather, ship’s speed and condition of loading on

steering

Steering Systems and their function

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of the components of steering systems and

their function including selection of information from instruction manual

b) Describes the steering wheel or lever, helm indicators, steering motor,

rudder, rudder indicators and rate of turn indicators including functioning
of the rudder and propeller

c) Describes emergency steering systems including the change over

procedures

Manoeuvring

a) Explains the effects on manoeuvring, turning circles and stopping

distances of deadweight, draught, trim, speed, rudder angle and
propeller/transverse thrust

b) Explains the effects on vessel manoeuvring of single, twin, controllable

pitch and fixed propellers

c) Describes the effects of wind, current and tidal stream on vessel

manoeuvring/handling

d) Describes the effects of underkeel clearance, squat and shallow water

on vessel manoeuvring

e) Demonstrates the knowledge of manual depth finding

f) Describes the effects of vessel to vessel and vessel / bank interaction

g) States the precautions to be taken when grounding and; during and

after a collision including minimising of collision damage

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 h) Demonstrates a knowledge of the manoeuvres for turning short round,
emergency stop and man overboard

Regulations and systems for the safe movement of vessels

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of the content and application of the

International and National Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea
as appropriate for vessels in inland waterways, harbours and coastal
sea waters.

b) Describes IALA Buoyage System A

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of the direction of buoyage, recognition of

marks from shape, colour, top mark and light

d) Describes the procedure for taking the correct action on meeting marks

Visual Signalling

a) Recognises and demonstrates a knowledge of the use and meaning of

single letter code flags listed in the `international Code of Signals’
(Code flags that are considered essential for the tests are :- A, B, C, D,
E, F, J, K, L, M, N, O, U, V, Y and Z)

b) Identifies `Distress Signals’

c) Describes the use of phonetic alphabets

Communications and alarm systems

a) Describes routine and emergency communication procedures

b) Demonstrates knowledge of the use of telephones, hand held radios,

other signalling devices and emergency signals

4. Vessel Handling in Extreme Weather

a) Describes the precautions and procedures required to be carried out

when heavy weather is expected including the rigging of safety lines,
restriction of access to the weather deck

b) Describes how and when to make report on the conditions of

seaworthiness

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of pitching, pounding, rolling, racing and

broaching to (turning sideways or having stern sea in surf)

d) Demonstrates a knowledge of turning a vessel in rough sea

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5. Mooring and Unmooring a Vessel

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of the safety precautions and safe working

practices to be observed in securing the vessel when
mooring/unmooring including mooring terminology

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of relevant sections of Merchant Shipping

and HSE regulations, M notices, Company regulations and
requirements, manufacturers recommendations

c) Explains the need for personal safety equipment during mooring and
safe positions when towing and mooring ropes under strain

d) Explains the dangers of rope bights during towing, securing and

mooring operations

e) Explains the characteristics, safe handling and use of ropes including

heaving lines in mooring operations

f) Explains preparation and safe operation of winches, windlass, drum

ends and similar machineries in all weather situation

g) Identifies head and stern ropes, breast ropes, towing springs, back
springs, shore moorings, mooring bitts, fairleads and Panama roller
leads

h) Describes routine and emergency communication procedures

i) Explains the need to keep moorings clear of thrusters and propellers

j) Explains the procedures for making fast to fixed terminals and jetties,
mooring to buoys, single point moorings and exposed location buoys

k) Demonstrates a knowledge of adjusting moorings when alongside,

warping along a quay, use of fenders, overboard discharge covers

6. Rope work, Access and Lifting Gear

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of safe use of man-made fibre, wire and

combination ropes

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of correct use of basic knots, splices,

stoppers, friction turns in stopping and mooring a vessel

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of the safety requirements to rig, recover

and maintain gangways and other safe means of access to a vessel

d) Describes the methods available to ensure safe movement onboard

ship

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 e) Describes the effects of tide, wind, waves, swell, changes of draught,
trim and passing vessels while alongside

f) Outlines the care and maintenance of lifting gears including derricks,

cranes and other gears

g) States the precaution to take when using lifting gears

h) States the precautions to be taken when fork-lift trucks or similar

devices are used

i) States that all cargo gear should be inspected before the start of
operations each day

j) Identifies lubrication schedules for deck machinery and equipment

including correct lubrication of moving parts

7. Ship Knowledge and Publications

Ship Knowledge

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of terms and definitions used in connection

with vessel operations and vessel construction

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of use of various types of paints and correct

lubrication of moving parts including scheduling of lubrication for deck
machinery and equipment

c) Prepares surfaces for coating i.e. steel, aluminium and wood

d) Explains the maintenance of fire fighting and life saving equipment

e) Demonstrates a knowledge of the need for preparation of work area and

resources for maintenance

f) Identifies work area, tools and materials including safe stowage and use
of materials

g) Explains `Permit to Work’ procedures

h) Identifies plans, specifications, materials and equipment and the need

to ensure availability

Stability and structure

a) Describes the basic principles of ship stability including the principles of

floatation

b) Defines mass, volume, density and relative density

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 c) Defines volume, displacement, deadweight, buoyancy, waterline length,
breadth, draught, Length overall, Length between perpendicular,
freeboard (freeboard deck/deck line to water line) and identifies
hydrostatic data

d) Defines Centre of buoyancy, Centre of Gravity, free surface, transverse

metacentre, up-righting lever, up-righting moment at small angle of heel

e) Explains stable, neutral and unstable equilibrium, stiff and tender

vessels

f) Explains the effect on Centre of Gravity (G) on loading, discharging,

moving weights, ballasts or bunkers and changes (if any) in stability
during voyage

g) Explains the dangers and effect of free surface at small angle of heel

h) Explains the causes of stress in a ship’s structure including loads that

create stress and strain in still water and a seaway

i) Describes water and weather tightness, watertight integrity and reserve

buoyancy, watertight doors, ports, windows, deadlights and doors

j) Demonstrates a knowledge of ship construction features for various

ship types sufficient to assist with ensuring watertightness and sea
worthiness including the function and structure of tanks

k) Identifies structures to resist pounding, panting including the parts of

structure liable to sustain damage due to heavy weather, vibration,
shifting cargo, grounding or collision

l) Describes the siting and securing of air and sounding pipes, bilge and
ballast piping systems from tanks/holds to engine rooms including non
return valves, sea chests and mud boxes

m) Explains the methods of ensuring watertightness/ seaworthiness when

closing openings in deck, bulkheads, deck machinery and lifting
devices, ventilators, air and sounding pipes including features to aid the
shedding of water

Publication and General

a) Explains the relationship between law, codes and other forms of

guidance

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of legislation, Codes of Practice and M

Notices

c) Demonstrates an awareness of the law, codes, principles and

procedures and other forms of guidance relating to:

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 • maintaining a safe working environment on board ship

• safe movement to, from and around the vessel

• reporting of accidents and dangerous occurrences

• safety management systems

• risk assessment

• using chemicals or other hazardous materials, COSHH (Control

of Substances Hazardous to Health) Regulations

• personal protective clothing and equipment

d) Appreciates the requirements of records for commercial and legislative

process

e) Describes the recording methods available – written records

f) Explains the requirement for accuracy, brevity and clarity in record

keeping

8. Basic Engineering Knowledge and Machinery

a) Plans engineering practices and procedures for small vessel

propulsion machinery, auxiliaries and services in compliance with
safety regulations including the use of machinery schedules and
instructions (to include manufacturer’s instructions).

b) Explains system operation and principles involved including the

appropriate sequence and timing of activities for machinery and
auxiliary operations

c) Describes how to locate common faults including the causes of

machinery malfunctions and actions required to be taken

d) Describes measures to avoid pollution of the marine environment

e) Describes how to operate the control systems, possible problems and

how to identify and correct minor deviations

f) Describes emergency shut down sequence, timing and hazards

g) Describes how to make adjustments to achieve and safe operation

including the use of instruments to monitor conditions

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Pumping and associated Control Systems

a) Describes routine pumping operations, bilge, ballast and operational

pumping systems, equipment and machinery operations and possible
problems that could occur

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of precautions to prevent pollution of the

marine environment, anti-pollution procedures and associated
equipment

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of relevant safety regulations, conditions,

manufacturer’s instructions and maintenance schedules with respect
to pumping and associated control systems

Electrical Equipment

a) Describes the basic principles and operation of electrical machines (to

include alternators or generators and control systems)

b) Describes electrical systems, protection arrangements, circuits and

circuit breakers, instruments to monitor conditions

c) Describes the maintenance of electrical supply within given

conditions, possible problems and irregularities that could occur

d) Explains fault detection system operation and isolating procedures

including simple fault diagnosis, location of common faults on plant
and control systems and actions to prevent damage

9. Health and Safety

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of the safety precautions, regulations, codes of

practice and guidelines relating to :

• use of powered cleaning devices, hand and powered tools

• working at a height or over side

• operating lifting plant and the slinging of heavy equipment

• use and storage of chemical or other hazardous materials

• entry into and working in enclosed spaces

• protective equipment and clothing

• cargo access equipment

• the section of MARPOL relating to the disposal of waste

• maintenance of batteries

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10. Emergency Action

a) Identifies the nature of emergency and takes initial action to conform to the
vessel’s emergency procedure

b) Takes appropriate action on recognising an alarm signal in accordance with

emergency procedure including the raising of alarm promptly by the most
appropriate method available

c) Communicates information to the relevant personnel promptly and

accurately

d) Explains the operation of distress signalling devices including pyrotechnics

including precautions to take when using signalling devices.

e) Describes how to avoid sending false distress signals and the remedial
action to take if false signal is sent

f) Demonstrates a knowledge of basic Search and Rescue as would be

applicable to inland waterways, harbours and coastal sea waters.

g) Describes the assistance which may be given by authorities around the

coast of the United kingdom, and on inland waterways in addition to
assisting other vessels

h) States the contingency plans and action to take in the event of emergencies
at sea or in port as applicable, including imminent collision, collision,
stranding, grounding, beaching, shoring, flooding, man overboard and
abandon ship

11. Pollution Prevention and handling and Waste management

a) Describes how current guidance and legislation provides knowledge of

the precautions and procedures to be taken to prevent pollution of the
marine environment

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of pro-active and re-active policies, vessel

operations, bunkering, hazardous substances on board, garbage and
tank residual disposal, noise and clean air

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Section 2

1. Generic Chartwork and Navigation

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of Navigation and routeing charts, sailing

directions, chart catalogue, notices to mariners, nautical almanac, tide
tables and tidal atlases carried aboard the vessel including distance tables

b) Describes the procedures for and makes necessary corrections to update

charts and publications including ECDIS.

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of the use of Navigation drawing instruments,

parallel rulers, dividers and compasses

d) Describes natural scale, distance measurement and chart co-ordinates

e) Plots the position of the vessel on a chart using latitude and longitude, or
position lines derived from charted objects including the use of bearing,
range, cross bearings, transits, running fixes, vertical sextant angles,
procedures and limitations of navigation by GPS

f) Demonstrates a knowledge of the meaning of chart symbols and

abbreviations

g) Explains the effects of set, drift and leeway (drift due to wind) and how to
counteract

h) Explains navigational terms, international nautical mile, position line and

position circle

i) Identifies charted objects/shore marks suitable for position fixing

j) Calculates dead reckoning (DR) and estimated position (EP)

k) Demonstrates a knowledge and use of regulations and systems for the safe
movement of vessels

l) Explains and describes the procedures for appraisal, planning, execution

and monitoring of a passage plan

m) Describes the basic operational features and controls of marine Radar and
ARPA

n) Demonstrates a knowledge of the use of radar and ARPA to maintain

safety of navigation

o) Demonstrates a knowledge of the use of satellite positioning systems such

as GPS

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p) Demonstrates a knowledge of the proper use of Echo sounder and
Electronic Log

q) Describes reliability, common errors and limitations of Radar, ARPA,

Satellite positioning systems, Echo sounder and electronic log

2. Locks and Bridges

a) Demonstrates knowledge of entering and leaving a dock or a lock in all

stream conditions

b) Demonstrates a knowledge of passing through (under) bridges and

navigating in close proximity within a canal

Section 3

1. Tides and Currents

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of tide tables and tidal stream atlases

b) States the causes of spring and neap tides

c) Defines height of tide, Mean High Water Spring, Mean Low Water
Spring, range of tide, chart datum, height of charted objects, drying
heights, spring and neap ranges

d) Describes the use of tidal diamonds when using charts

e) Finds the height and time of high water and low water using tide tables

f) Calculates the height of tide at a given time using tide tables and tidal
curves

g) Calculates the time the tide will reach a given height using tide tables
and tidal curves

h) Calculates the correction of soundings to chart datum

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2. Compass Work

a) Demonstrates a knowledge of Magnetic Compass:

• card graduation in degrees

• compass bowl and binnacle

• dangers of magnetic material in the vicinity of the compass

• standard compass/steering compass

b) Calculates compass error and deviation by means of transits

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of Gyro compass and repeaters

• compass alarm and off course alarm

d) Converts compass or gyro courses to true courses

e) Determines variation and deviation using charts, curves and tables

f) Demonstrates the use of azimuth mirror, pelorus etc. for taking bearings

3. Anchor Work

a) Describes the types of anchor in common use on vessels operating in

inland waterways, harbours and coastal sea areas.

b) Describes various parts of anchors, spurling and hawse pipes,

connection and marking of anchor cables, chain lockers and
connections, bow stoppers and other securing devices.

c) Demonstrates a knowledge of connections and markings of anchor

cables, chain lockers and connections

d) Explains the securing of anchors and cables for passage and the
importance of ensuring watertight integrity

e) Explains anchoring terminology and describes lights, shapes and sound

signals for vessels at anchor

f) Demonstrates a knowledge of preparations and procedures for

anchoring operations including in an emergency

g) Demonstrates a knowledge of maintaining an anchor watch including

checks made for anchor dragging

h) Describes the safety precautions when anchoring, securing anchors

including the safe use of machinery

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