About this Course:

Aim of Course

The objectives of this course are to gain an understanding of safe working practices with regard to seamanship, cargo work, pilot ladders and means of access, shipboard organization and associated topics. Assessment will be made in the form of direct observation and oral questioning.

Validity of certificate

There is no expiry date on this certificate.

Personal Equipment required

• Working kit including Safety Boots
• Steering Certificate
• Proof of 12 months sea time
• A valid medical certificate
• Evidence of Survival Training, PSSR, FF (B) and EFA
• Evidence of previous Training (Certificate of Competency) where relevant
• Writing Materials
• Please also bring with you proof of identity such as Passport , discharge book, Driving License.If insufficient information is provided, it may be necessary to withhold your Certificate of Completion.

Course Content

The EDH course consists of 4 days of tuition followed by a fifth day of practical and theory assessment. The examination subject areas consist of:-

• Use of common nautical terms;
• Provision of LSA and Fire Fighting equipment;
• Working knowledge of common seamanship techniques including bends, hitches and splices.
• Good working knowledge of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen published by MCA.

Examination Syllabus

• 2.1 Meaning of common nautical terms
• 2.2 Navigational watch-keeping duties as follows: - duties of a bridge lookout and the reporting of lights and objects; knowledge of the compass card in 360° notation, understand helm orders.
• 2.3 Life saving appliances and fire fighting appliances as follows:- understand the importance of musters and drills and know what action to take on hearing alarm signals; understand the general arrangement and the dangers of fixed smothering systems; understand correct operation, precautions and dangers of lifeboat release gear; understand the procedures for boat preparation and launching; understand the precautions to be observed when maintaining lifeboats and davits; understand the importance of fire and watertight doors.
• 2.4 Practical work as follows:- 2.4.1 Common knots, bends and hitches including: reef knot, timber hitch, clove hitch, bowline, bowline on the bight, sheet bend, double sheet bend, sheepshank, rolling hitch, round turn and two half hitches, figure or eight knot, fisherman’s bend, monkeys fist and wall & crown knot.
• 2.4.2 Common splices including:- eye splice and eight strand plaited rope; eye, back and short splice in three strand rope; eye splice with locking tuck in wire rope.
• 2.4.3 Parcel and serve a splice;
• 2.4.4 Whippings and seizings;
• 2.4.5 Care, use and storage of ropes and wire;
• 2.4.6 The correct fitting of wire grips (e.g. ‘Bulldog’ grips);
• 2.4.7 Use and selection of stoppers for wires and ropes;
• 2.4.8 Slinging of stages and bosun’s chair;
• 2.4.9 Rigging of pilot ladders, gangways and accommodation ladders;
• 2.4.10 Rigging of a hydrostatic release unit;
• 2.4.11 Rigging a derrick;
• 2.4.12 Securing the deck for severe weathers;
• 2.4.13 Opening and closing of hatches and watertight doors including bow, stern and other shell doors;
• 2.4.14 Marking anchor cables.
• 2.5 Code of Safe Working Practice for Merchants Seamen (COSWP) 1998
• 2.5.1 In each of the sections below, the candidate will be expected to have a good working knowledge of the COSWP relevant to a seaman’s duties and responsibilities as follows: protective clothing and equipment; safety signs and to include standard signs and colours for dangerous goods, pipe lines, fire extinguishers and gas cylinders; safety induction; fire precautions; emergency procedure; safe movement on board ship; working aloft and outboard; work in machinery spaces; permit to work; enclosed spaces; boarding arrangements; manual lifting and carrying; use of work equipment; lifting plant; hydraulic and pneumatic equipment; batteries; anchoring and mooring and hatches.