Norway Deck Officer Class 5 study guide
Norway Deck Officer Class 5 · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The Norwegian Deck Officer Class 5 (Dekksoffiser klasse 5) is an entry-level deck officer certificate issued under the Norwegian maritime qualification system, aligned with STCW requirements for officers in charge of a navigational watch. It is aimed at candidates starting a career as a deck officer on Norwegian-flagged vessels, typically after completing approved nautical education and required sea service. The Norway Deck Officer Class 5 study guide has 10 sections and about 3,840 words.
01Navigation
The navigation paper checks that you can plan and monitor a coastal or short-sea passage without depending entirely on electronics: chartwork, position fixing, compass work, current and tidal calculations, and IALA Region A buoyage as used along the Norwegian coast. Plot fixes at an interval set by speed and risk; a three-point fix is strongest when the objects subtend angles near 60 to 120 degrees.
386 words, about 2 min02Ship Stability and Ship Construction
This paper tests hydrostatics you can apply under time pressure: GM from KM and KG, free surface correction, interpretation of the GZ curve against the IMO intact stability criteria, and the structural members that keep those figures meaningful. Positive GM means the ship returns upright.
386 words, about 2 min03Meteorology and Oceanography
You must read a synoptic chart, apply Buys Ballot, judge sea state and visibility, and recognise the local weather that shapes Norwegian waters: polar lows, coastal icing, advection fog and the Skagerrak wind funnel. Buys Ballot (northern hemisphere): stand with your back to the wind and low pressure is on your left, about 90 to 120 degrees off the wind direction.
399 words, about 2 min04Ship Handling and Manoeuvring
Turning circles, pivot point, squat, interaction and bank effect, tug and anchor work, and berthing judgements in wind and current. Questions are usually situational: what happens next, and why.
401 words, about 2 min05Collision Regulations (COLREGs) and Watchkeeping
The paper tests rule-by-rule application, not memorised wording: risk of collision, conduct in sight and in restricted visibility, lights and shapes, sound signals, and the watchkeeping standards of STCW including rest hours. Rule 5 look-out, Rule 6 safe speed, Rule 7 risk of collision: use all available means, including radar plotting or systematic observation, and assume risk if the bearing is steady and range decreasing.
414 words, about 2 min06Maritime Law and International Conventions
You are expected to know which convention governs what, how certificates and surveys work, the flag and port State relationship, and the discharge and reporting obligations that apply at sea. SOLAS covers construction, fire protection, life-saving appliances, radio and safety management (ISM Code with DOC and SMC).
379 words, about 2 min07Cargo Operations and Stowage
Bulk and general cargo safety: hold preparation, stability and stress effects, dangerous goods segregation, ventilation decisions, and the codes that regulate practice, principally IMSBC, IMDG, CSS and the grain code. Hogging and sagging come from unequal distribution of weight along the hull; check shear force and bending moment against the loading manual before any multi-hold sequence.
370 words, about 2 min08Marine Engineering and Systems
As a deck officer you need working knowledge of propulsion, auxiliary systems, fuel and steering, enough to detect faults, keep records and know what to report to the engine room. Two-stroke slow-speed diesels drive most large ships directly; four-stroke medium-speed engines are common for auxiliaries and smaller vessels.
375 words, about 2 min09Maritime Safety and Emergency Procedures
Drill programmes, muster lists, fire fighting, abandon ship, man overboard and enclosed space entry. Questions are practical: which turn, which extinguisher, which interval, who does what.
385 words, about 2 min10Maritime English and Communication
Practical use of SMCP and GMDSS: distress, urgency and safety traffic, VHF and DSC procedure, message markers, position reporting, and clear bridge-to-bridge exchanges. Priority: MAYDAY (distress, grave and imminent danger), PAN PAN (urgency), SECURITE (safety).
345 words, about 2 min