Interview

Question 1

Where are the fire stations

Answer 1

Berths 
194-195
44
85-86
Fish Harbor

Question 2

Vincent Thomas bridge

Answer 2

1150 feet wide
165 felt tall
Middle 500 feet is 185 feet tall

Question 3

What to consider when determining UKC

Answer 3

Trim and list characteristics 
Depth of transit area
Depth of berth or anchorage 
Tim and current conditions
Weather impact

Question 4

UKC transiting LA

Answer 4

From approach buoy 1 to buoy 11 min UKC is 10% of vessels draft
From buoy 11 in UKC is 2 feet and must remain afloat while at berth
Outer harbor shifts require 3 feet UKC
B7 & 11 require 4 feet UKC when vessels draft is more than 50 feet
All other anchorages are 2.5 feet

Question 5

Controlled navigational areas

Answer 5

East channel
Slip 93 (cruise terminal)
Entire west basin
Pier 300 channel

Question 6

Pilot ladder

Answer 6

5 step must be a spreader
Spreaders are 180cm long
Max 8 steps between spreaders
Steps are 49 cm wide and no more than 30-38cm apart

Question 7

High winds

Answer 7

Small craft advisory will be issued for sustained winds of 21 to 33 knots potentially combined with wave heights exceeding 10 feet

Question 8

Visibility restrictions

Answer 8

Tankers 150,000 DWT or greater need 1 mile
Greater than 60000 but less than 150000 0.75 miles
Vessels 45’ draft or more require 0.75 miles
All other tank vessels require 0.5 miles
All other vessels are 3X their LOA

Question 9

Reduced Visibility

Answer 9

When visibility drops below 0.5 miles VTS will impose one way traffic.

When getting underway in reduced visibility shoreside radar and a PPU should be readily available for use.

If reduced visibility is encountered after getting underway pilot should take appropriate precautions to minimize risk which include continuing, anchoring, reducing speeds, shore based radar, additional tugs

Question 10

Windage area

Answer 10

50 tons of force is required to hold a ship beam to the wind if
1000 square meters with 60 knots
5000 square meters with 28 knots
10000 square meters wi5 18 knots of wind
(Big MOL ships have this much windage)

Question 11

11 things to be considered when getting underway during inclement weather

Answer 11

Traffic in the area
Transit speeds
Maneuvering characteristics of vessel
Quality of vessels radar
Vessels size and draft in relation to transit area
Number type and power of tugs
Number and power of thrusters
Maneuvering room at various stages of transit
Quality of vessels bridge team
Special circumstances (dredges, obstructions)
Wind direction in relation to planned maneuvers

Question 12

Anchoring guidelines

Answer 12

Have a licensed English speaking officer on watch at all times.

When wind up screeds 40 knots vessel will have power plant on standby and a 2nd anchor ready

When winds reach 40knots VTS will maintain watch for vessels dragging anchors

Question 13

Tug escorts

Answer 13

An escort tug is require for all tankers with 5000 M/T of product or more

Zone 1- 2 miles seawards of the breakwater

Zone 2- 3.5 mile from the LB breakwater for all tanker with draft more than 16.5m

Zone 3- 4 miles from the LA breakwater for all tanker with draft more than 14m

Question 14

Pre escort conference.

Answer 14

Contact escort tugs to confirm number and positions

Establish radio frequency to be used

Establish destination of tank vessel

Discuss any other pertinent info with the master pilot and tug captain

Ensure anchors are ready for emergency