Maritime Regulation Practice Questions for the MCA Orals

OOW Part A: 1 of the 15 questions, 50% to pass this topic

The real MCA oral is a spoken interview with an examiner; these questions are knowledge practice for it, each with a model answer.

Take the OOW Part A practice test

60 test points across every Part A topic in 40 minutes, scored against the MCA’s minimum for each topic.

Free Regulation drill
Free sample · Question 1 of 3Regulation

What does the STCW Convention set?

Choose the best answer

Regulation in the MCA orals

Regulation is a 50% topic on OOW Part A. MIN 653 asks for the purpose and application of the ISM and ISPS Codes, an understanding of MLC 2006 and STCW, flag and port state control, M-Notices and current Merchant Shipping health and safety law with the Code of Safe Working Practices.

On Part A
4 of the 60 test points (1 of 15 questions); you need 50%, 2 of 4
In the oral
The examiner can ask about any part of the syllabus, in scenarios. Say your answer out loud before you check it.
Our drill
10 questions from 32 Regulation questions, untimed, a model answer after every one; one free attempt, unlimited with a pass
Line drawing of a cargo ship at a quay with its gangway down and a table with a clipboard at the top
Start the free Regulation drill

Study notes

  • SOLAS sets the safety standards for construction, equipment and operation; MARPOL prevents pollution in six annexes (I oil, II noxious liquids in bulk, III harmful packaged substances, IV sewage, V garbage, VI air pollution); STCW sets training and certification; COLREG governs navigation.
  • The ISM Code requires a safety management system, a designated person ashore (DPA) with direct access to the highest level of management, a Document of Compliance for the company and a Safety Management Certificate for the ship.
  • The ISPS Code sets three security levels (1 normal, 2 heightened, 3 exceptional), a ship security plan, a ship security officer (SSO), a company security officer (CSO) and an International Ship Security Certificate.
  • MLC 2006 covers seafarers’ conditions: minimum age, medical certificates, seafarer employment agreements, hours of work and rest, accommodation, food, medical care and complaints. Ships of 500 GT and over on international voyages carry a Maritime Labour Certificate.
  • Merchant Shipping Notices (MSN) carry mandatory technical detail of legislation; Marine Guidance Notes (MGN) give guidance and good practice; Marine Information Notes (MIN) give time-limited information.
  • Port state control lets a port state inspect foreign ships and detain those with serious deficiencies; flag state control is the flag administration’s own survey and certification.

Sit the Part A practice test under the clock

Take the OOW Part A practice test

60 test points across every Part A topic in 40 minutes, scored against the MCA’s minimum for each topic.

Free Regulation drill

What the examiner looks for

  • Purpose and application of the ISM Code, the ISPS Code, MLC 2006 and STCW (MIN 653).
  • Flag state and port state control and the contents and use of M-Notices and Notices to Mariners.
  • Merchant Shipping health and safety law and the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seafarers.

How to study it

  • Make one line for each convention: what it covers and the certificate it produces.
  • Learn the six MARPOL annexes by number.
  • Take the regulation drill until you score 80% or better.

Common questions

What is the difference between an MSN, an MGN and a MIN?

An MSN is mandatory, carrying technical detail of legislation; an MGN is guidance and best practice; a MIN is information with a time limit, such as an exam syllabus or a process change.

What does the designated person ashore do?

Under the ISM Code, the DPA links the ship and the company, with direct access to the highest level of management, and monitors the safety and pollution-prevention aspects of each ship’s operation.

Take the OOW Part A practice test

60 test points across every Part A topic in 40 minutes, scored against the MCA’s minimum for each topic.

Free Regulation drill

The other MCA orals topics

Sources

The MCA oral is a spoken interview with an MCA examiner. These are knowledge drills for it, with the model answer an examiner would expect after every question; they are not a simulation of the interview. The timed test copies the format of the OOW Part A computer-based exam. Original practice questions written from the MCA deck oral exam syllabus (MIN 653), the COLREG 1972 as applied by MSN 1781 and the IALA Maritime Buoyage System; they are not MCA questions or questions reported by candidates. The real oral is a spoken interview with an MCA examiner, and this is knowledge practice for it, not a simulation of the interview. Independent practice, not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.