MARINA Chief Mate / Master Theoretical Exam study plan

Solve 40 coastal and open-water passage-planning problems (great-circle and Mercator sailing, rhumb-line vs. great-circle comparison) and log each method and arithmetic check.

Compute 25 tidal predictions and tidal-window problems from a printed tide table, including height of tide at a required time and earliest/latest safe berth windows.

Rehearse the full paper-chart navigation workflow on three practice routes: lay off courses, apply variation and deviation from a deviation card, and convert between true, magnetic and compass bearings without error.

Build a one-page personal formula sheet for navigation (interpolation, dip, refraction, parallax, amplitude/azimuth) and verify every entry against an approved textbook.

Complete 30 terrestrial and electronic position-fixing exercises: running fix, doubling the angle on the bow, horizontal sextant angle, radar and GPS-derived fixes, and cross-check each against an independent method.

Calculate 20 set, drift and course-to-steer problems including current and leeway, and verify each with a scaled plot.

Interpret at least 15 chart symbols, buoyage and IALA region differences, and identify the correct action for each in a written log.

Explain the operating principles, error sources and failure modes of GPS, AIS, ECDIS, radar and echo sounder in 10 short written answers, and state the paper-chart fallback for each.

Demonstrate correct use of a marine sextant for index error and one sight reduction, recording every arithmetic step.

Solve 30 stability problems covering KG, GM, free-surface effect, list and loll, and the effect of adding, removing and shifting weights, showing each formula and unit.

Construct and interpret a GZ curve from supplied data, and state the criteria for intact stability including areas under the curve and angle of vanishing stability.

Explain damage stability, permeability, floodable length and the effect of a compartment bilging in 8 written answers.

Describe hull construction, framing systems, watertight subdivision and closing appliances, and identify the survey requirements for each in a written summary.

Calculate 15 trim and draft problems including change of trim, LCF effects and deadweight distribution.

Plan a full stowage for a mixed general-cargo and container load, resolving segregation, weight distribution, IMDG class conflicts and lashing requirements in a written plan.

Calculate 20 cargo quantity problems: draft survey, ullage and temperature correction for liquid cargo, and grain stability (heeling moment and angle of heel).

Interpret a ship's stability booklet and a loading computer output to confirm a proposed load is within limits, documenting each check.

Explain ventilation, condensation and cargo sweat prevention, and the carriage requirements for at least 6 cargo types in writing.

Identify the hazards and required precautions for timber deck, steel, bulk and container cargoes in a 10-item written checklist.

Draft and time-sequence the response to 6 emergency scenarios (fire, collision, flooding, man overboard, abandon ship, groundings) against the muster list, stating who does what and in what order.

Explain SOLAS fire-fighting appliance requirements, fixed systems and drills, and solve 15 fire-main, pump-capacity and extinguisher-number problems.

Summarise the master's obligations and reporting duties under SOLAS, MARPOL, COLREG and the salvage and towage regimes in a written comparison of at least 6 conventions.

Explain the ISM Code, MLC 2006 and STCW watchkeeping requirements and identify the records and certificates each requires.

Resolve 20 COLREG situation problems, stating the rule number and the required action for each.

Write out the master's responsibilities, authority and legal exposure in port, at sea and in an emergency, citing the relevant conventions and codes.

Explain personnel management: watchkeeping arrangements, rest hours, fatigue management, crew appraisal and grievance handling, and apply them to 5 written case scenarios.

Summarise the requirements for safe navigation, passage planning and bridge resource management, and produce a model passage plan for one route.

Explain the survey, certification and port state control regime, and identify which certificates a vessel must carry and their validity periods.

Resolve 10 written case problems on discipline, dismissal, injury and pollution reporting, stating the applicable law and the master's action.

Explain the operating principles of the main engine, auxiliary engines, boilers, steering gear and shafting, and solve 15 power, fuel-consumption and efficiency problems.

Identify the causes and symptoms of at least 8 common machinery faults and state the correct immediate action for each in writing.

Interpret a synoptic chart, identify frontal systems and pressure systems, and forecast the likely weather change for 10 chart scenarios.

Explain the formation and behaviour of tropical revolving storms, waves, swell, currents and tides, and state the master's avoidance action for each.

Convert and apply meteorological units and codes (wind force, pressure tendency, visibility, sea state) in 15 worked examples.

Complete two full timed mock examinations under exam conditions and mark them against the official marking scheme, recording the score per domain.

Re-work every question missed in the mocks until it is solved correctly without notes, and update the personal formula sheet.

Rehearse weak-domain recall with spaced repetition over the error log, targeting the two lowest-scoring domains.

Rehearse the oral-style explanations for stability, cargo, emergency and legal topics in 10 spoken run-throughs, timed to exam length.