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Knowledge test for deck officers

For masters and mates the recruitment knowledge test goes deep: COLREG and watchkeeping, passage planning and position, radar and ARPA, cargo work and stability, emergencies, pollution and the conventions. Senior ranks get more questions on leadership, security and law.

Sit the practice test for deck officers

If you are a Master, Chief Officer, Second or Third Officer, or a deck cadet about to sit for a first officer job, this is your paper: 30 multiple-choice questions drawn from 513 original questions relevant to your rank, 30 minutes, no feedback until the end, then a score by knowledge area with links to revise. All questions are ours; nothing comes from any real test.

Start the deck officers test

Independent practice. Not affiliated with any test provider; names of commercial tests appear only to explain what they are. Read our guide to the CES test for what to expect rank by rank.

What the test covers for deck officers

Weighted by the competence tables of STCW A-II/1 and A-II/2. "Core" areas give most of the questions; "basics" appear once or twice.

Knowledge areaWeightShareRevise
Cargo work core 6%
Communications, SMCP and GMDSS core 6% VHF and Channel 16
Conventions and regulations core 6% STCW English requirements guide
Emergencies, fire and life-saving core 6% Life-saving appliances and fire protection
Leadership, teamwork and fatigue core 6%
Occupational safety and permits core 6% Ship safety signs
Passage planning and position core 6% Units and coordinates
Pollution prevention (MARPOL) core 6%
Radar, ARPA and ECDIS core 6%
Ship handling, mooring and anchoring core 6% SMCP wheel and engine orders
Ship security (ISPS) core 6%
Stability and seaworthiness core 6%
Vessel types and their cargoes core 6% English and safety by ship type
Watchkeeping and COLREG core 6% COLREG lights, rules and sound signals
Deck work and equipment important 4%
Meteorology important 4% Beaufort scale
MLC: rest hours, contracts and welfare important 4%
Fuel, lubrication, ballast and pumps basics 2%
Galley, food hygiene and catering basics 2% Fire protection (galley fires)
Maintenance, tools and repair basics 2%

Most lost points are in the rules everybody "knows": COLREG lights and give-way situations, MARPOL discharge criteria, rest hours. Revise them from the text, not from memory.

Sample questions for deck officers

Five questions of the kind you will meet, from the core areas. Think first, then open the answer.

  1. Passage planning and position What are the four stages of passage planning?

    1. Appraisal, planning, execution, monitoring
    2. Departure, sea passage, arrival, berthing
    3. Chart work, weather, tides, fuel
    4. Briefing, watch, log, report
    Show the answer

    Appraisal, planning, execution, monitoring. IMO resolution A.893(21), Guidelines for voyage planning: appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring.

  2. Vessel types and their cargoes On a bulk carrier, the main danger of loading a heavy cargo like iron ore too fast is:

    1. Making the ship too light
    2. Damaging the cranes
    3. Wetting the cargo
    4. Overstressing the hull structure
    Show the answer

    Overstressing the hull structure. Loading sequences must follow the loading manual; the BLU Code covers safe loading and unloading of bulk carriers.

  3. Ship handling, mooring and anchoring In a narrow channel close to a bank, bank effect tends to:

    1. Have no effect
    2. Stop the ship
    3. Push the bow away from the bank and suck the stern towards it
    4. Pull the bow into the bank
    Show the answer

    Push the bow away from the bank and suck the stern towards it. The result is a sheer away from the bank; counter it early with rudder and keep to the centre where possible.

  4. Emergencies, fire and life-saving How does a fire damper differ from a smoke damper?

    1. They are two names for the same device
    2. The fire damper maintains the fire resistance of the division; the smoke damper only limits the flow of smoke and hot gases
    3. The smoke damper maintains the fire resistance and the fire damper only stops smoke
    4. The fire damper is closed by hand and the smoke damper works by itself
    Show the answer

    The fire damper maintains the fire resistance of the division; the smoke damper only limits the flow of smoke and hot gases. See the card: Fire doors and fire dampers. Read more

  5. Vessel types and their cargoes Topside and hopper tanks on a bulk carrier:

    1. Are the sloping tanks in the corners of the holds that self-trim the cargo and carry ballast
    2. Are the fuel tanks
    3. Are the slop tanks
    4. Are the lifeboat stations
    Show the answer

    Are the sloping tanks in the corners of the holds that self-trim the cargo and carry ballast. The hold shape lets the cargo settle without manual trimming for most cargoes. Read more

Take the full 30-question test

How to prepare

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