OOW <3000 oral questions
Example questions for each part of the MCA's OOW (Yachts less than 3000 GT) oral syllabus. They are our wording, not the MCA's — the examiner builds the oral 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 each oral is examined against, and every set below is our own wording of how one syllabus item can be asked. The syllabus on GOV.UK is the authority; check it for the full list.
Three parts. Navigation: planning and conducting a passage, keeping a safe navigational watch (including the COLREGs) and manoeuvring the vessel. Response to emergencies: navigational emergencies, other emergencies such as fire and abandoning ship, and communications. Onboard operations: pollution prevention, seaworthiness and stability, legislation, and business and law, including the codes yachts operate under.
Out loud, as if the examiner had just asked, and push yourself with the follow-up: 'and then what?', 'why that rule?'. If you can only answer a question silently in your head, you have not finished revising it.
“Talk me through planning a passage between two ports you know. Which publications do you use, and what goes on the chart?”
“How do you correct your charts, and where do the corrections come from?”
“How would you work out the height of tide at a secondary port at a given time?”
“Your GPS position and your radar fix disagree. What do you do?”
“What are the limitations of ECDIS, and what are the errors in the position it shows you?”
“How do you find the compass error, and how do you apply variation and deviation?”
“What is parallel indexing, and when would you use it?”
The syllabus asks for a thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the COLREGs, so expect scenarios rather than recitation:
“You are the stand-on vessel and the give-way vessel is not taking action. Talk me through what you do, and when.”
“In restricted visibility you detect a vessel by radar alone, forward of the beam and closing. What do you do?”
“At night you see these lights ahead. What is it, what is it doing, and what is your action?”
“What do you check before you take over the watch?”
“When would you call the captain?”
“How far would you rely on AIS to avoid a collision?”
“How do you change over from autopilot to hand steering, and when would you?”
“Talk me through anchoring: the preparation, the approach, and how you would know you are dragging.”
“What are squat and interaction, and when do they matter?”
“The steering fails at sea. What do you do?”
“How do you prepare to embark a pilot?”
“Man overboard on your watch. What are your first actions?”
“You have run aground. What do you do, in order?”
“Fire is reported in the engine room. Talk me through the response.”
“How do an EPIRB and a SART work, and how would you see a SART?”
“You hear a distress call. What are your obligations, and what do you do?”
“How would you use the IAMSAR Manual on board?”
“Which distress signals could you use, and where are they listed?”
“What happens to the yacht's stability when you lift the tender with the crane?”
“What is free surface effect, and why do slack tanks matter?”
“How do you prepare the vessel for heavy weather?”
“Why do freeing ports and scuppers matter for stability?”
“What can you discharge overboard, and where? What is a Special Area?”
“What are the SOPEP and the Garbage Management Plan for?”
“What is the ISM Code for, and how does it work on your yacht?”
“What are MSNs, MGNs and MINs, and which have you read?”
“Which code does a large commercial yacht operate under, and what does it require of you as OOW?”
“What are the rules on hours of work and rest?”
“What musters and drills must you hold, and how often?”
“What is salvage, in law?”
The notices change. Always check the current version on GOV.UK before you apply or book.
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