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PPCDL Handling Assessment (aka PPCDL Practical Test)

I’m taking the PPCDL Practical Test tomorrow. Here are my notes to prepare.

Approach: The test is very institutionalised. You only need to focus on whats in the mark sheet. You can’t be marked down for reasons other than that.

Note that the test boat is the Dynaglass 20DX, should be the same as the boat you had your training in.

Pre-sea Check

Preparations to get Underway:

  • Boat Berthing lines: Check condition of lines and check that they are secured
  • Boat Hull: Check the condition of the hull (bow, midship, stern on both port and starboard) for any cracks or signs of damage by craning your neck over the edge of the boat to look at the part of the hull visible over the water
  • Boat Compartments: There are 5 on the 20DX. Check for flooding (any water at all must be bailed out) and rubbish.
  • License Check: Check for four things: Registration number matches that on boat, number of passengers is adhered to, Expiry date of license and read the conditions of license
  • Equipment Check: See below.
  • Passenger Check: Remind passengers to help you keep a look out for any risk of collision and to promptly inform you if there is any risk of collision. Check that everyone is wearing a life jacket.
  • Passenger Rope Assistant: Appoint an assistant to untie the ropes, starting with stern then bow and finally midship

11 Equipment check

Fire(2):

  • Fire extinguisher – check expiry date and that the gauge is pointing in the green sector.
  • Fire bucket – check the condition of attached rope

Making presence known(4):

  • Flares – check that you have 3 for open deck boat (20DX) , and that they are not expired
  • AIS – ensure mounted and green light flashing every 6 seconds
  • Horn – check it works
  • Navigation lights – turn on and check top light and side lights

Drowning related(3):

  • Life jacket – everyone on board is wearing one, and spares up to capacity of the boat should be onboard
  • Life buoy – At least one for every four people on board
  • Bailer

Boat(2):

  • Anchor – check that anchor, chain and rope are connected and in good condition
  • Oars

Preparations to start engine:

  • Propellor check: Using either the button on the side of the outboard motor, or the button on the side of the throttle, raise the propellor of the outboard motor out of the water to check the propellor for damage or entanglement. Then lower the propellor. Can also check at this time if the OBM is securely fastened to the boat.
  • Controls check: Check that the throttle moves freely and all the way in both directions, then return it to neutral. Check that the helm rotates motor all the way in both directions (free movement and following helm). This is also a good time to remind yourself how many turns the helm allows from the central position.
  • Battery check: Check that wires are firmly connected to the battery
  • Fuel check: Check that there is sufficient fuel in the tank. If necessary, prime the engine by pressing the fuel pump 4-5 times until resistance is felt.
  • Kill switch: Explain that the kill switch is meant to connect to the driver but since the examiner is a qualified driver on board, we won’t do that. Just connect the kill switch.
  • Start engine: Ask examiner for permission and start the engine
  • Cooling check: Check that the cooling system of the engine is working. You should see a stream of water leaving the engine.

Unberthing

  • Lookout: Check your surroundings to ensure it is safe to move out. Assess direction of wind and current if any.
  • Manouevring: Turn helm hard away from the jetty and engage minimal astern propulsion. Straighten the helm slightly if that helps avoid collision between bow and jetty. Reverse out of tight spaces if there isn’t enough room to make a turn safely. Maintain a lookout as you reverse and keep to starboard side of narrow channel.

Man Overboard

  • Immediate action: Slow down, confirm by looking which side the man is overboard. Turn helm hard to that side. E.g. on hearing “Man overboard Port side!” -> Slow down immediately -> Check man is really on port side -> Hard to port
  • Follow up action – buoy: Ask the crew to throw a buoy to the man: “Crew throw a buoy!”
  • Follow up action – lookout: Ask the crew to maintain a constant lookout for the man (and by right, report the bearing of the man at short intervals). Do the same as the driver.
  • Follow up action – leeward side: Manouevre boat to rescue man on the leeward side. Announce to crew: “Crew prepare to rescue man on Port/Starboard side”.
  • Retrieve man: Bring the boat to a complete stop with the man abeam of the boat and within arms reach.
  • Check condition of man

Berthing

  • Tying knots: Make sure you are familiar with both knots (tying the boat to cleats or to a bar)

Oral assessment of Theory

Refer to my other blogpost where I discuss more about PPCDL theory.

Anchoring Theory:

  • First select an area to anchor. It should be sheltered (from wind, current and traffic), approved for anchoring, have plenty of space for swinging and have good holding ground (mud or sand).
  • Use a chart to determine depth and bottom conditions. Calculate the amount of scope as 4-7x the depth of the water.
  • Check the anchor, prepare it by laying out so it wont entangle, and cleat off at the point you want it to stop. Always anchor by the bow.
  • Face the wind and move astern slowly. Lower the anchor slowly until it lies on the seabed. Then keep lowering slowly as the boat is reversing. Once the anchor is set the line will stop shaking.
  • While anchored, monitor the bearing to two or more reference points to ensure that you are not drifting.
  • To release the anchor move forward while pulling the anchor up.

Helpful resources:

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