I WOULD like to respond to the very pertinent points raised by your reader Harold Buckles, in his letter to the Sunday Morning Post, on October 1, concerning the Pleasure Vessel Engineer Examination questions.
Most of the questions being asked in the examination are on the safety aspects and general and emergency operations of the type of machinery fitted on board mechanised pleasure vessels.
Some theoretical engineering questions are also included to encourage the operators to know more about the differences in systems of the various types of engines normally installed on board.
This additional knowledge can be very helpful as very often pleasure boats sail far off the coast and even beyond local water areas where immediate assistance may not be readily available when needed.
The Marine Department has been constantly monitoring the situation and is fully aware of the changing environment as well as the needs of society.
In this regard, about two years ago, a major review was conducted and a new local certification system, including the pleasure vessel examinations, has now been formulated.
