BASIC THIRD MATE GUIDE

1.) THINGS TO DO DURING SIGNING ON

BOARD:
A. PROPER HAND OVER WITH THE OFFICER BEING
RELIEVED IF POSSIBLE.
TAKE DOWN NOTES OF THE FOLLOWING DURING HAND
OVER:
* Important details on operating procedures of Life
saving and Fire fighting Equipts.
* Defects of equipments observed during hand over
to rectify immediately once vessel sailed. Defects may
be hidden so be observant and dont be afraid to ask.
* Location of Safety Stores Spares. Ask if the
inventory of spares are updated
* Items that are about to expire. Equipment (Ex.
Pyrotechnics) or Service of equipment (Ex. Life raft
servicing)
* IF GIVEN THE CHANCE, ask for basic operation of
BRIDGE NAVIGATIONAL EQUIPMENTS (PROCEDURES FOR
TESTING ENGINE and STEERING GEAR). Departure might
be scheduled during your watch and you will be the one
assigned to prepare the bridge.
*IF GIVEN THE CHANCE, familiarization with
operation controls of all CARGO / BALLASTS Pumps and
Valves in CCR. Familiarize yourself with the line up
connections and piping of the vessel.
* Current operation on board (LOADING /
DISCHARGING)
* Next Port / ETA

* Current CARGO on board and QTY to be Loaded/

Discharged
B. COLLECT DOCS OF NEW JOINERS and UPDATE ALL
NECESSARY INFORMATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE; MOST
ESPECIALLY DEPARTURE CREWLIST and CREW EFFECTS
DECLARATION (may be needed during departure)

2.) THINGS TO DO DAILY:

BRIDGE :
* Check for new emails from Captain (Pre arrival
Docs needed, Some Circulars from the office, etc) MS
OFFICE OUTLOOK
* Synchronization of ships Chronometer via
GPS or MF/HF Rx 10000kHz , 15000kHz, 20000kHz (IF
Youre the one assigned to do so)
* Planning of things to do during overtime,
writing it in a list will help you organize which things to
do first. Checking YELLOW BOOK TSM Form 088 for
things not yet done.
* Taking compass errors if Possible
* Read diligently Navigational and
Meteorological Warnings being received by NAVTEX or
Inmarsat. For further info read GMDSS BOOK NP 285
* Read SOLAS training manual to familiarize
yourself on the LSA and FFE equipment on board and
their operations.
* Read books if you have nothing to do while on
duty
* OBSERVE PROPER WATCHKEEPING WHILE ON
DUTY. DO NOT BE TOO COMPLACENT. Have a glimpse of
your surroundings from time to time.

* Filling out properly Forms to be filled during

watch:
- LOG BOOK (Copy or Log similarly to what
was previously written by the previous third officer)
- OMD 007 HAND OVER OF THE WATCH
- COMPASS ERROR LOG
- RADAR LOG
* Familiarize yourself with other BRIDGE
CHECKLISTS and the PURPOSE when to use each one of
them.

OTHERS:
* Update WORK and REST HOURS
* OVERTIME / RETAIN according to the list you
had made during watch.
* 1 CBT MODULE if Possible. Take note of the
answers from the assessment so that you can take the
same CBT for other crew also.

3.) THINGS TO DO WEEKLY:

* Be sure to complete weekly check of LSA and FFE as
per TSM Form 088. Log the following in the log book if
weekly task is completed: Mostly Logged during
Saturdays.
Weekly inspection of LSA and FFE as per TSM form
088 Completed then affix your signature at the end.
Random Testing of fire Detection and Alarm System
Carried then affix your signature at the end. (THIS ONE

IF ONLY APPLICCABLE AND BEING DONE BY

ELECTRICIAN)

* Record of Drills or Trainings carried during the week.

Do not forget to right entry of trainings and drills at the
front part of the DECK LOG BOOK.
AND ALSO ON THE PAGE OF THE CURRENT DATE RIGHT
THE FOLLOWING AS APPLICABLE:
Drills Carried as Per TSM Form 091A : (LIST OF DRILLS
CARRIED FOR THE DAY)
Trainings Carried as Per TSM Form 162: (LIST OF
TRAININGS CARRIED FOR THE DAY)
*Double check every bodys work and rest hours record
according to the DRILLS, TRAININGS and MEETINGS done
for the week.
* Updating of Radio signal publications (If you are the
one assigned to do so)
* Be sure that received circulars are file accordingly
(ASK FOR FILE FOLDER of CIRCULARS on board) and
being displayed in mess rooms / day rooms as applicable
for everybodys reference.
* Be sure to update CBT, usually received by EMAIL from
Capt. And during MONDAYS. Procedure for updating is
also provided with the EMAIL.

4.) THINGS TO DO MONTHLY:

* Be sure to complete MONTHLY Checks of LSA and FFE

as per TSM form 088. Once completed, write this entry
in to the log book during the date of completion:
Monthly test and inspections of LSA and FFE
Completed as per TSM form 088 Then affix signature
at the end.

* Be sure that DRILLS and TRAINING records are

completed at the end of the month as per your schedule
of drills and training. Then prepare for the next month
schedule of drills and trainings as per TSM form 091
Schedule of Drills and MPM matrix 004 Shipboard
Training Matrix and Schedules.

* Be sure to have a minimum record of 6 NEARMISS

Reports and STOPER card for the month. Usually crew
doesnt submit these reports so you do not have a
choice but to do it on your own. TIP: Keep a separate
paper to create record of draft for Nearmiss reports and
STOPER card that come into your mind. Note them and
keep this paper. Record them accordingly to OCEAN
MANAGER BEFORE THE END OF THE MONTH. Separate
instruction for Reporting NEARMISS and STOPER CARD
provided. CLOSURE of reports from the ocean manager
is to be printed and filed.

* Be sure to Make MONTHLY SAFETY REPORT for the

month. File altogether with the closure from office in
respective folder
TSM FORMS REQUIRED:

- TSM form 094 Monthly Safety Report (This has the

same format of what is to be filled up in OCEAN
MANAGER) Sample will be provided.
- TSM form 094A Addendum to Monthly Safety Report (
To be completed by hand writing. PART A for THIRD
OFFICER, PART B for CHIEF OFFICER, PART C for SECOND
MATE, PART D & E For CHIEF ENGR. Print empty form and
give each part accordingly to the following persons.
Once completed, collect all PARTS and double check for
some entries that might be incomplete. SCAN ALL
TOGETHER FORM 094A and save in PDF format. The PDF
Format will be attached to the OCEAM MANAGER
Monthly SAFETY Report. Sample completed form will be
provided.
- TSM form 700 Minutes of the meeting ( This contains
information or topics such as SAFETY CONCERNS,
NEARMISS / STOPER Cards, CIRCULARS etc. being
discussed during monthly safety meeting. Have master
sign this form then SCAN to PDF format once completed.
The PDF format will be attached also in OCEAN Manager
monthly safety Reports.

* Be Sure to EXPORT CBT monthly results and send to

captain. Usually procedures for exporting are provided
already on board.

5.) THINGS TO DO BEFORE ARRIVAL IN

PORT:
* Be sure that all LSA and FFE are in place and in good
working condition
* Deck log book is updated for records of weekly and
monthly maintenance and records of drills and trainings
being carried
* Be sure that Drill records and Trainings records are
kept up to date
* Assigned RADIOSIGNAL PUBLICATION is up to date (If
being assigned to do so)
* Fire plans are updated of the following: CREWLISTS,
MSDS and STOWAGE PLAN
* TSM form no 175 PORT contacts information Sheet is
updated. Usually displayed in BRIDGE, CCR, SHIPs
OFFICE, ALLEYWAY of A-DECK. For updating, you can ask
captain / 2nd officer for assistance. you can find port
informations from DNV Navigator, ALRS VOL 6 DIGITAL,
GUIDE TO PORT ENTRY BOOK. Agent Details are found in
the Emails sent by captain. Sample is provided.
* Arrival Documents required are already completed and
signed/stamped as applicable.
* COMMON PORT DOCUMENTS YOU NEED TO PREPARE
ON EACH PORTS ARE:
- CREWLISTS, CREW EFFECT DECLERATIONS, STORES
DECLERATION, LAST TEN PORTS OF CALL, MARITIME
HEALTH DECLERATION, NIL LIST, VACCINATION LIST.
Samples will be provided.

6.) THINGS TO DO DURING CREW

CHANGE:
* Collect on signers documents and update CREW DATA
accordingly with the needed information.
* Record ONSIGNERS PERSONAL EFFECT DECLARATIONS.
* Familiarization to be carried for the on signers and
TSM Form 099 - Safety and Security Tour /
Familiarization to be completed. ONE COPY to be filed,
PHOTO COPY to be given to on Signers.
* UPDATE As soon as possible CREWLISTS DISPLAYED in
all parts of the accommodation and also in fire plans.

7.) SUMMARY OF RELEVANT FORMS and

MANUALS ASSIGNED FOR THIRDMATE:
*TSM FORM 088 YELLOW BOOK (PDF FORMAT) to be
printed yearly
*TSM FORM 091 Schedule of Drills
*TSM FORM 091A Drill Record
*MPM Matrix 004 Shipboard Training Matrix and
Schedule
*TSM FORM 162 Training Record
* TSM Form 161 - EMS Training Booklet (to be displayed
together with SOLAS training and Fire Safety Training
Manual)
*SOLAS TRAINING MANUAL

*FIRE SAFETY TRAINING MANUAL

*TSM Form 099 - Safety Security Tour & Familiarization
*TSM Form 093 - Near Miss Report
*TSM Form 093S- STOPER CARD
*TSM Form 094 - Monthy Safety Report
*TSM Form 094A - Addendum to Monthly Safety Report
*TSM Form 700 - Minutes of Meeting
*TSM Form 175 - Port Contacts Sheet