post sea training

I went home for about a month after getting down from my last ship and reporting to

the office. After the completion of my leave, I went to office at Bombay and reported. They had

arranged accommodation for us in a three star hotel in Byculla. Three of us were put in a room.

The room was with A/C and T.V. We put our belongings there and went to L.B.S.College (now

known as LBS college of advanced maritime studies and research), which is located in Hay

Bunder, Bombay (near Reay Road Station).

We got our selves admitted there for our post sea training. Classes start at 0900 and end at

1700 everyday, Saturdays and Sunday being weekly holidays. We used to have our breakfast in

the hotel on SCI’s account. Lunch was at the college canteen and again dinner was in the hotel on

SCI’s account. This was the time for us to enjoy life on shore, having spent around 18 months on

board. We used to go to Matunga on the weekends for a south Indian lunch followed by a Tamil

movie.

Studies were not much different from what we learnt during our pre sea training. It was the

same subjects, but we had to study more in detail. There were assignments and tests every

week, making us study hard. But, we guys, freaked out, as usual, but making it a point to study,

complete the assignments before going out.

These classes were for four months and time passed very quickly. In between the classes,

Vidya’s marriage was also held. I rushed from Bombay only to attend the marriage and had to go

back the next day after marriage to avoid losing attendance.

Our exams were scheduled to be held in January, 2003. We had completed our classes and

were revising for the exams. During our stay there in Byculla, the famous Babri Masjid

demolition took place. We were literally trapped inside the hotel for several days, with only

bread to eat. Buildings around us were burning, as Byculla was a predominant Muslim area.

There were no buses plying. Trains were running, but only very few. Taxis were also scarce on

the roads. We had to walk the whole distance to the college to collect our admit cards for the

exam. On our way we could see many slum areas reduced to ashes, people on the streets,

without a proper shelter. There were only skeletons of buses, cars, bikes, scooters and cycles all

along the road.

Our exams came and all of us managed to fare well in the written. After the written, we had to

undergo three mandatory courses- proficiency in survival craft (PSC), first aid at sea and radar

orientation course + automatic radar plotting aids (ROC-ARPA). ROC-ARPA was a course on the

fundamentals of radar, how to operate a radar, how to use the radar for position plotting, as an

anti-collision device. It also had radar plotting, which was to use the information from radar and

plot various targets, to determine their speed, course, closest point of approach and time for

closest point of approach. ARPA is an automated system, which does the plotting and gives the

information necessary for collision avoidance.

In the PSC course, we were taught the survival techniques, when the ship is abandoned. Again,

we had to dive from a diving board and then swim to a life raft floating in the pool and board the

same. We were also taught rowing during this course.

First aid at sea taught us the basic first aid to be used on board, in case of a fall, injury, fire

accident, and other causes which may need first aid immediately to save the life. We did this

course in Malad, and the other two courses in the college.

We had one exam in Morse code, which was in use during that time. We had to decode, what

was being transmitted in Morse code, by the examiner. The minimum passing percentage for

this was 90.

The orals where, we would be examined by an examiner from the Mercantile Marine

Department were scheduled as per the availability of the examiner. We had to book for the

exams and await our turn to be examined by the examiner. It used to be a long wait for most of

us. The time would be put up and then the examiner would cancel it due to some other

appointments. It was a pain, waiting for the turn. On the day, where my oral was supposed to be,

I reached the MMD office in time for my orals. I was asked to go to D.G.Shipping office, where

the examiner was supposed to be. I went there and waited for the examiner the whole day. Since

there was some cricket match in Bombay during that time, he had gone to the stadium to see the

match. And, we guys were waiting for him, without food and water.

We got a message from him asking us to be in the MMD office for the orals by 1900. We rushed

back to the MMD office again. He first called the candidates for Master’s orals, followed by

candidates for Mate’s orals. After finishing with them, he called me and asked me if I wanted the

orals to be conducted that day or if I wanted it to be postponed to the next day. Not wanting to

continue the tension to the next day, I told him that I am ready to take the exam that day. He

then started asking me questions and after about 20 minutes or so, told me to carry on and that

I had passed.

That moment when he said that, my joy knew no bounds. I was so happy. I went out and called

home to convey this happy news to my parents.

After some days, the result for the written came and I had passed all the papers. It was

another happy moment for me. Now I had to apply for my certificate. I filled the application

form,attached the required documents, paid the fees for the same and submitted my application

form. It took about 15 days for me to get the certificate of competency as Navigational Watch

Keeping Officer (Graduate) [NWKO (grad)]. After getting the certificate, I had to apply for

Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC). I went to the Shipping Master’s office and gave the

necessary application form for it and I got the CDC in about 10 days time. Having collected my

certificate and CDC, I went to the office and gave the office copies of all my certificates and CDC.

Now I was certified officer and could sail in ships as a 3^rd officer.

I went home after reporting to the office to take a well deserved break from the non-stop

studies for about 8 months. More to continue on my next ships as an officer.