Ace Your Chemical Tanker Interview: The Tanker Master’s Question Guide

This article is about Master Interview Questionnaire, and I hope it will help you in preparation.

Before we dig into the questions, let’s look at something very important—your introduction.

When I was attending ashore as a Superintendent, I had the chance to take interviews of several Chief Officers and Masters. Honestly, I found many of their introductions very poor—either too long, confusing, or irrelevant. And the truth is, a bad introduction creates a wrong impression immediately.

Let me be blunt: I found some introductions were so poorly delivered that they immediately painted a negative picture in my mind. A weak introduction can sink your chances before you even get to the technical questions.

Sometimes I felt, “I will not take him” just because of the way he started his self-introduction. So remember: your introduction should be minimal, but effective. Short, confident, and professional. It should be a powerful and concise summary of who you are and what you bring to the bridge.

Here’s an example :

“I am Captain XXX. After passing out from the Academy (For private academy mention academy, for BMA you can mention full form of BMA, for others : After HSC/ graduation), I joined a chemical tanker as a Deck Cadet. Since then, I have been serving on various tanker vessels—mainly chemical tankers—for the past 15 years. I have sailed across all major continents, including trans-Pacific voyages. Although I have not sailed in the polar region, but I have experienced extreme winter conditions in Russian ports with sub-zero temperatures.

This type of introduction shows clarity, professionalism, and confidence without dragging on.

Pro tip: In any interview, if you don’t know the exact answer—never stop. Relate your knowledge, explain what you understand, and connect it to safe practice. Interviewers are testing your reasoning, safety mindset, and leadership qualities more than word-perfect answers.

Cargo Operation Questions

• Before voyage / departure checks: provisions, bunkers, fresh water, certificates, drafts, crew readiness.
• Before stowage plan: IBC Code requirements, compatibility chart, heated cargo requirements, toxic cargo, antidote medicine (MFAG), segregation.
• Provisional categorization of liquid substances under MARPOL Annex II: X, Y, Z, OS categories.
• Example of cargo you have carried earlier (E.g. Styrene Monomer): Inhibitor certificate, cargo temperature monitoring, chemical suit during hose connection-disconnection ops, safe ullaging/sampling, protest letters, temperature going higher- your actions.
• Tank cleaning – from palm oil to methanol, or From Annex -1 to methanol (Answer should be according to coating, finally you will take him to Wall-wash.
• Wall wash – how, when – Remember, initially you will check PTT & HC (before FW); if passes, only then, will go for Chloride (FW rinsing and DI spray).
• Boiler failure affecting cargo heating: report – re-circulation to avoid polymerization, inform office/charterers, monitor cargo closely.
• MARPOL Annex I slop requirements: segregated slop tank, discharge as per regulation, ODME use.
• MARPOL Annex II slop requirements: Explain the prewash requirements under MARPOL Annex II for persistent floating products.Residues to the reception facility, witnessed by the inspector (stamped on CRB).
• P&A Manual: approved cargo transfer procedures, stripping efficiency (“k” factor). TC pump cap.
• ISGOTT 6 (new topics): Enclosed Space Entry- PTW, risk assessment, rescue standby, gas check; human factors, SMS tools (LO/TO, SWA), tanker/terminal interface, LNG bunkering, cargo inspectors.
• FRAMO purging – how, when, recommended limits of leaking, actions – if seal leaking is higher, difference records of HO, Cargo, Water etc, difference between cargo & HO seal – how u know which one is leaking.
• Gas detectors: LEL test + volume %, personal and multi-gas detectors, tank scope.

ECDIS/ Navigation Related Questions

• ECDIS AIO: Admiralty Information Overlay—temporary & preliminary notices.
• How do you ensure the safety of a route planned on ECDIS?
• Safety Contour: contour setting based on draft + UKC, separates safe/unsafe water.
• ECDIS shades: blue = shallow/unsafe, white = safe water.
• Route check: detects dangers (depths, obstructions, T&P corrections).
• CATZOC: zone of confidence—accuracy of hydrographic survey (A1 = best).
• Updates & corrections: weekly ENC updates, permit management.
• ENC display settings: base + standard, highlight dangers, night mode, safety depth.
• ECDIS limitations: ENC accuracy, GPS errors, over-reliance on alarms, CATZOC limitations—must cross-check with radar, visual, echo sounder.
• What is drying height
• What is the difference between bold normal non-bold sounding depth meaning?
• Isolated danger buoy – how u know (no buoy is there)?
• ROR – any common rules may discuss with you, to guege your depth of knowledge. Some actions.
• Passage plan – appraisal, frequent checks as a Master.
• Bridge navigation audits
• Other than this – you must have some question bank of ECDIS, just go through that – I am missing a lot of common ECDIS questions here.

Other Common Interview Areas

• Emergency Contingency Manual: crisis response framework for fire, spill, collision, MOB, etc.
• Toolbox / monthly safety meetings/ management meeting: hazard awareness, lessons learned, safety reinforcement.
• SIRE: In detailed difference between VIQ SIRE vs SIRE 2.0, includes chapter wise knowledge, recent observations, common observations, last done etc.
• SIRE vs CDI: In detailed difference between SIRE vs CDI. Mainly CDI includes “crew knowledge & proficiency.
• Various inspections – By flag/class – Statutory, Harmonised Survey System: periodical, intermediate, renewal surveys, any experience on change of class/ flag , PSC MoUs – recent campaigns by last the vsl regions.
• Audits – Difference of Internal vs external audits. Recent audits closure reports (must be signed by DPA)
• Unsafe act vs unsafe condition: unsafe act = not wearing gloves; unsafe condition = oil spill on deck.
• Drug & Alcohol Policy: zero tolerance on tankers, regular tests.
• Rest hours management (STCW/MLC): Special attention on exemptions, and plan of future.
• Crew change >25%: drills must be conducted within 24 hrs.
• Best Management Practices (BMP 5) withdrawn by recent OCIMF publication: anti-piracy measures—reporting, transit corridor, citadel, armed guards and recent changes of this new publication. If u need the publication, knock me.
• PMS (Planned Maintenance System): electronic e.g. AMOS, MESPAS, SHIPPALM- with experience.
• Shell Training – (All 3 chapter- Resilience, LET, LFI) Reflective Learning: e.g., safe Turkish Strait passage at night.
• Leadership & Crisis Management: motivating crew, handling emergencies, effective communication.
• Safety culture onboard: shared values, proactive reporting, just culture, risk minimisation.
• What are the key elements you include in your Master’s Standing Orders? – navigation safety, cargo ops safety, security, engine readiness.
• What are the key elements you include in your Master’s Night Orders?
• What are the key elements you include in your master’s cargo Operation Orders?
• How do you promote a positive safety culture on board?

Unexpected Management Questions

• Handling serious accident onboard: immediate response, inform company, preserve evidence, cooperate with authorities, RCA & corrective action.
• If C/E or C/O doesn’t follow instructions: stay professional, explain reasoning, document, escalate if needed—never compromise safety.
• Managing multicultural crew: respect, communication, fairness, avoid favoritism.
• Building safety culture: lead by example, encourage near-miss reporting, regular drills, reward safe behaviour, just culture.
• PSC or SIRE inspection handling: transparency, updated documents, involve officers, correct issues immediately.
• Company pressures to sail with deficiency: politely refuse if safety/legality compromised, report formally, document communication.
• Balancing rest hours vs operations: adjust routines, call extra hands, comply with MLC/STCW limits.
• Handling angry/non-cooperative crew: calm approach, private discussion, document if serious, escalate only if safety affected.
• Implementing PMS effectively: prioritize safety-critical items, delegate, monitor due dates, align with ISM/class.
• If near miss not reported: explain importance, encourage reporting, no blame, focus on prevention.

Conclusion

Preparing for an interview is about more than just memorising answers; it’s about demonstrating a command of your profession, your leadership philosophy, and your commitment to safety.

I hope this guide helps you structure your knowledge and present it with the confidence. Remember, there’s no single “right” answer, but there is a professional way to answer.

If you have any other questions, feel free to share them in the comments section below. Or, if you’d like to suggest an answer or ask a answer – to one of these questions, drop that in the comments too! Let’s help each other succeed.

Good luck, legends. Fair winds and following seas.

Bon Voyage