BD Deck Officer Class 1 (Master) study plan

BD Deck Officer Class 1 (Master) · Give each week a clear focus.

8 weeks · About 7 hours per week

Week 1

Navigation

Derive and apply the terrestrial coordinate system, great-circle sailing formulae and mercator sailing calculations to solve at least ten position and distance problems without reference notes
Compute course and distance by plane, parallel and middle-latitude sailing and identify which method applies to a given leg
Interpret and construct a route on a mercator chart, converting between true, magnetic and compass bearings using variation and deviation data
Explain the principles of the gyrocompass and magnetic compass errors, including how to determine and record deviation on a deviation card

A worked solutions booklet of 25 navigation calculation problems with answers checked to within 0.5 nautical mile and 0.5 degree

Week 2

Solve coastal position-fixing problems using visual bearings, transits, vertical and horizontal sextant angles, and running fixes
Demonstrate the use of echo sounders, GNSS and radar in pilotage waters, listing the limitations of each aid
Calculate tidal heights and times using standard and secondary port methods and apply them to under-keel clearance planning
Explain the components of an electronic chart display and information system and the safeguards needed when relying on it

A passage plan for a 60-nautical-mile coastal approach including at least eight plotted fixes, tide calculations and abort points

Week 3

Apply the collision regulations to at least fifteen scenario-based questions covering crossing, head-on, overtaking and restricted-visibility situations
Prepare a berth-to-berth voyage plan for a 300-nautical-mile leg, marking no-go areas, safe water, contingency anchorages and wheel-over points
Describe the duties of the officer of the watch and the correct handover procedure, including the criteria for calling the master
Explain the organisation and content of the bridge procedure and passage planning guidance for voyage planning

A complete voyage plan with a written collision-regulation decision log for ten traffic scenarios

Week 4

Calculate initial stability, righting levers, free surface effect and list from a given set of hydrostatic and tank data
Construct and interpret a curve of statical stability, identifying the angle of vanishing stability and the effect of a shift of weight
Explain the requirements for intact and damage stability, including subdivision, permeability and the flooding of compartments
Describe the main propulsion, steering and auxiliary machinery systems and the actions to take on failure of each

A stability calculation set of 15 problems with a hand-drawn curve of statical stability and a one-page machinery-failure action list

Week 5

Calculate cargo deadweight, broken stowage, stress on tank tops and lashing requirements for heavy and awkward lifts
Plan the stowage and segregation of dangerous goods using the international maritime dangerous goods code class structure and segregation table
Interpret a vessel's loading manual and cargo securing manual to produce a safe loading condition
Apply the discharge and pollution prevention requirements of the relevant conventions to at least ten operational scenarios
Explain the requirements of the ballast water management and ship recycling regimes in practical terms

A cargo stowage plan for a mixed general and dangerous goods consignment with segregation justification and a pollution-response checklist

Week 6

Apply the international conventions on safety of life at sea, load lines, tonnage and standards of training to given factual scenarios
Explain the master's obligations and authority under the law of the sea, salvage, general average and towage
Describe flag state and port state control inspection regimes and the certificates a master must keep valid
Produce a muster and emergency drill programme that meets statutory intervals and covers fire, abandon ship, man overboard and oil spill response

A compliance matrix of 20 required certificates and records with issue, validity and survey intervals, plus a 12-month drill schedule

Week 7

Interpret synoptic charts and forecast products to predict wind shift, visibility and sea state for a given route
Explain the formation and behaviour of tropical revolving storms and the avoidance manoeuvres available to a ship
Describe wave, swell and current systems and their effect on passage planning and fuel consumption
Explain the principles of automatic control systems, alarms and instrumentation used in engine room and bridge monitoring

A weather routeing analysis of a 5-day ocean passage with a hand-plotted forecast track and a written storm-avoidance decision

Week 8

Design a training and assessment plan for a deck cadet covering the mandatory competences and record-keeping
Explain the causes of human error and fatigue and the management actions that reduce them on board
Describe the requirements for shipboard safety committees, risk assessment and incident investigation
Consolidate all domains by completing a timed mixed-topic mock examination and reviewing every error

A full mock examination scored against a marking scheme, with a written corrective action plan for every topic scoring below 70 percent

Week 2: Complete a 20-question navigation self-test, achieving at least 70 percent on chartwork and tidal calculations without notes

Week 4: Produce correct answers to 12 of 15 stability calculations and correctly describe the actions for loss of steering gear and main engine

Week 6: State the validity period and issuing authority for 18 of 20 required certificates and correctly answer 8 of 10 legal scenario questions

Week 8: Score at least 75 percent overall on the timed mock examination with no single domain below 65 percent