TO ALL CANDIDATES FOR MEC3

Training Manuals (TAR Books)

Please note that a TAR book is also required if you return for MEC2; in this case I would expect to see:The ‘familiarisation tasks’ pages completed for each ship you sail on, along with ship particulars page, if necessary by photocopying the appropriate pages or adding the forms used on the ship;Where a task calls for a list ((such as a list of safety gear in the enginerrom) this list to be attached;Where a task requires a note (for instance, of engine running temperatures and pressures) or sketch (ie piping diagram) these notes and sketches to be attached;Descriptions, in your own words, of particular procedures – perhaps bunkering – showing the planning process (how much, where to be put etc), precautions (blocking scuppers, oil spill equipment readily available etc) and so on

In other words, considerably more detail to indicate the knowledge you should have to sail as Second Engineer.

While you may, perhaps, photocopy ship’s piping diagrams, manuals, procedures and so on , please ensure that there is sufficient of you own input to show this hasn’t just been a paper exercise. Piping diagrams, for instance, should show ‘as built’ variations rather than just the design layout – there are inevitably differences!

Our Training Manual, and that put out by MNTB in UK are in ring-binders. Additional material can easily be incorporated. Others, such as that put out by DG Shipping in Mumbai, are bound books; you may have to get a ring-binder to keep with the TAR book, with your own material.

John H AckrillPrincipal Examiner, Marine EngineersMaritime New Zealandwww.maritimenz.govt.nz.