Master <3000 oral questions
Example questions for each part of the MCA's Master (Yachts less than 3000 GT) syllabus. They are our wording, not the MCA's — the examiner works from the syllabus, so use these to find the gaps, then answer them out loud.
No — they are our examples. What the MCA publishes is the syllabus, on GOV.UK with the other yacht deck oral syllabuses, and every set below is our own wording of how one syllabus item can be asked. The syllabus is the authority; check it for the full list.
Three parts. Navigation: planning and conducting safe navigation, watchkeeping arrangements (including the COLREGs), compasses, and ship manoeuvring. Response to Emergencies: navigational and other emergencies. Onboard Ship Operation: pollution, seaworthiness, crew management, the safety of crew and passengers, and legislative requirements.
Set side by side with the Master (Yachts <500 GT) syllabus, it goes into far more detail on anchors and cables, adds sections on crew management and on stowaways, smuggling, piracy and terrorism, and has a longer list of legislation.
No. MIN 690 Amendment 6 says only OOW Unlimited and Master (Code vessels <200 GT) / OOW (Yachts <500 GT) candidates currently take Part A. Master (Yachts <3000 GT) is a single online oral with an MCA examiner.
Out loud, and answer as the master: say what you would decide and what you would have the crew do, not only what the rule says. Then push yourself with the follow-up — 'and then what?', 'why?'.
“Plan this voyage. Which publications and routeing information do you use?”
“Which mandatory reporting systems apply, and what do you report?”
“What are the errors of your electronic navigation systems, and how do you correct for them?”
“How would you use parallel indexing on this approach?”
“What weather observations do you record, and who are they reported to?”
The syllabus asks for a thorough knowledge of the 'content, application and intent' of the COLREGs, so expect scenarios rather than recitation:
“How do you take your yacht through a traffic separation scheme and a VTS area?”
“You are the stand-on vessel and the give-way vessel is not taking action. What do you do, and when?”
“How do you apply the ICS Bridge Procedures Guide on your yacht?”
“How would you adjust the autopilot for a heavy following sea?”
“How do you make sure the engineering watch is safe at sea, at anchor and in port?”
“What are the limitations of the gyro compass, and how do you check it?”
“How do you look after the magnetic compass, and what are its limitations?”
“What are interaction and squat, and where would they catch you out?”
“Talk me through berthing with a tug and a strong onshore wind.”
“What are the limitations of controlling the engines remotely from the bridge?”
“How do you manoeuvre to launch and recover the rescue boat?”
“You are heading for waters where there may be ice. What do you plan for, and what do you do about ice accretion?”
“What type of anchor do you carry, and what are its advantages and disadvantages?”
“Talk me through anchoring in a tideway.”
“When would you use a second anchor?”
“The anchor is dragging. What do you do?”
“How do you clear a fouled anchor?”
“When would you slip the cable, and how?”
“A compartment is flooding. What happens to trim and stability, and what do you do?”
“When would you consider beaching the vessel?”
“What preparations do you make before towing or being towed?”
“How is search and rescue organised around the UK, and how does IAMSAR Volume III help you?”
“How do you operate the emergency steering?”
“How do you organise your fire-fighting and abandon ship parties?”
“How do you stop a fire from spreading?”
“How do you test watertight doors, side scuttles and scuppers?”
“What is in the SOLAS training manual?”
“A helicopter is coming to winch a casualty off. How do you prepare the vessel?”
“How do you assist a ship or aircraft in distress?”
“What are your responsibilities and liabilities as master if the yacht causes pollution?”
“What goes in the Oil Record Book?”
“Before sailing, how do you make sure the yacht is watertight?”
“Which load line items affect seaworthiness?”
“Water is coming into the hull. What do you do?”
“How do you prepare for dry-docking with damage?”
“How do you handle a disciplinary problem on board?”
“How do you organise training for your crew?”
“You find a stowaway. What are your responsibilities?”
“What precautions do you take against piracy, robbery and terrorism?”
“How do you prevent smuggling?”
“What are improvement and prohibition notices?”
“Which certificates and documents must a yacht under 3000 GT carry?”
“What is the difference between statutory and classification surveys?”
“What goes in the official log book, and what does the law require of the entries?”
“What do you need to know about towage and salvage agreements?”
“Which accidents must you report to the MAIB?”
“What are the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, Flag State and Port State Control for?”
The notices change. Always check the current version on GOV.UK before you apply or book.
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