Ive been approved to take the [I]DDE (designated duty engineer) 1000hp[/I] test and have been studying the CD from Hawespipe. I was wondering if anyone could put my mind at ease on the difficulty of this test as I am quite nervious. All I hear is to go throught the questions until Ive memorized them but with the study guide I have there are over 4000 questions in the three subjects I have to test for. Any info either way would be truly appreciated… Thank you
On that CD are the Navy Engineman, Machinist Mate and Basic Electricity and Electronics manuals.
Memorize THEM, not the test questions.
Learn to look up regulations in the CFRs.
Calm down fella you will be alright. Like the man said learn the material not the answers. Get well acquainted with the CFR’s you will have to use them every time you upgrade.
Thanks guys, thats good to hear i’ll switch gears here and concentrate on the material. Everyone Ive talk to has just done the question and answer technique and its not doing me any good, because Im not learning anything just beating my head againist a wall. The CD I have doesnt have navy engineman or machinist mate, but it covers everything in the three models I have to take, General, Motor and Aux Boiler, and Safety. The DDE 1000 hp doesnt require me to take electric so i havent studied that at all. I am well versed in the CFR (DINOP) and the equations for various conversions. Hope to give you all a good report on the 18th. Be safe out there.
Use two computers if you can , one to run the hawsepipe CD and the other to goggle all the answers you get wrong. Oh yes you tube is great for all the electrical theory stuff. practice writing down all your formula,s. Write them all down before you test . As posted above learn the material and you,ll get it.
Why should he study electricity and electronics?
Seasources.net actually has more current q and a for engineering… hawsepipe doesn’t seem to be updating their material.
[QUOTE=SLUGWRENCH;71294]Seasources.net actually has more current q and a for engineering… hawsepipe doesn’t seem to be updating their material.[/QUOTE]
How is seasources updating material if the CG is not publishing test questions?
If you learn the principle behind the material, you won’t have to memorize anything.
[QUOTE=Knots;71293]Why should he study electricity and electronics?[/QUOTE]
Because he’ll need to know it to upgrade. It’s never too early to start studying.
Because a DDE can sail as the only Engineer aboard, calling for an electrician while underway is kinda difficult.
Whatever the license an Engineer holds, he still has to have the knowledge to get the boat home.
It’s not about passing tests, it’s about knowing what you’re doing.
A mate can always ask the captain, an Engineer is on his own.
[QUOTE=seadog!;71318]Because a DDE can sail as the only Engineer aboard, calling for an electrician while underway is kinda difficult.
Whatever the license an Engineer holds, he still has to have the knowledge to get the boat home.
It’s not about passing tests, it’s about knowing what you’re doing.
A mate can always ask the captain, an Engineer is on his own.[/QUOTE]
Yeah, and he finds that out the first time that he has to call the port engineer on the sideband. . . . .
[QUOTE=Josh Davis;71192]Ive been approved to take the [I]DDE (designated duty engineer) 1000hp[/I] test and have been studying the CD from Hawespipe. I was wondering if anyone could put my mind at ease on the difficulty of this test as I am quite nervious. All I hear is to go throught the questions until Ive memorized them but with the study guide I have there are over 4000 questions in the three subjects I have to test for. Any info either way would be truly appreciated… Thank you[/QUOTE]
It is so easy the USCG will give you an oral exam for the DDE if you can’t read or write.
If you can load the Hawsepipe CD in a computer you are miles ahead of many that have passed this “exam” before. But go ahead and study because you will not want to be a 1000 hp DDE for long.
I find this very interesting actually. Would deck guys also suggest that a person studying for their 25 ton master study terrestrial, celestial, and stability just because they wont want to be a 25 ton master for long? Or just because “he should know it”.
Is it a bad idea? No, of course not. Learn all you can, but 90% of your knowledge is going to come from on the job experience anyway, not from a book.
Im all for being protective of your industry, and keeping out the hacks, but give the guy a break. Telling him to study electrical to pass the DDE 1000 is a joke. Pass the test first, get a job, and buy borrow and steal any electrical manual you can get your hands on to be a better engineer and have a jump on the upgrade. Just seems a little high and mighty to me. Dont forget what it felt like taking your first exam. He already said he is quite nervous. Jeesh.
You’re offshore…the boat goes black…no air for throttles…no coffee.
Your Engineer is clueless where to even start looking.
Do you want that guy to start getting OJT?
Two pieces of advice.
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If you have been studying just go take it. That way you will know what parts are on it, and it will go a long way to ‘de mystify’ what you are up against.
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If you flunk it, no harm no foul, you get a retest for free.
It is not all that hard. Your biggest thing to get over is just taking the exam. If this is the first one, I totally understand. But just go whack it out.
Guys I have been in the industry for 6 years (not long) and worked my way up from a green deckhand to an unlicensed engineer. I have the utmost respect for any “wisdom” from guys who have been in this line of work longer than I have. I do plan to upgrade of course but I am trying to tackle the obstacle at hand and as minor as it may sound to you season vets out there its a big deal to me as this is my first exam with the Coast Guard. I do appreciate the support and will be studying the material I have as suggested and hope to give a good report on the 18th when I go sit for this “exam.”
Be safe out there fellows!