MARINA OIC-NW Theoretical Exam study guide
MARINA OIC-NW Theoretical Exam · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.
The MARINA OIC-NW theoretical examination is the written assessment that the Philippines' Maritime Industry Authority uses to test whether a candidate is ready to stand a navigational watch as officer in charge. It is aimed at deck officers who have completed their seagoing service and approved training and are now seeking the certificate of competency that allows them to serve as OIC-NW on Philippine-registered and internationally trading vessels. The MARINA OIC-NW Theoretical Exam study guide has 9 sections and about 2,803 words.
01Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation, Position Fixing, Passage Planning and Chartwork
Domain 1 tests whether you can turn observations into a reliable fix, plot it correctly, and convert a planned route into a safe, monitored passage. Expect practical chartwork and clear reasoning rather than memorised definitions.
299 words, about 1 min02COLREGs: Steering and Sailing Rules, Lights, Shapes and Signals
Domain 2 examines rule-by-rule application. Scenarios ask who gives way, what action is required, which lights or shapes are displayed, and what sound signal is made.
359 words, about 2 min03Meteorology and Oceanography: Weather Systems, Forecasts and Their Effect on the Vessel
Domain 3 tests how pressure systems, fronts and sea state affect passage decisions, and whether you can interpret a forecast and barometer correctly. Isobars show the pressure gradient: close isobars mean strong wind.
318 words, about 2 min04Ship Stability, Ship Construction and Vessel Manoeuvring and Handling
Domain 4 tests whether you can judge stability from hydrostatic data and understand how hull form and machinery affect handling. Displacement is the weight of water displaced.
315 words, about 2 min05Watchkeeping: Bridge Procedures, Lookout, Handover and Record Keeping
Domain 5 tests bridge discipline: who is on watch, what is checked, how information is handed over, and what is recorded. The officer of the watch is responsible for the safe navigational watch, while the master remains responsible overall.
321 words, about 2 min06Electronic Navigation and Bridge Equipment: Radar, ECDIS, GPS, Echo Sounder, Compass and AIS
Domain 6 tests practical use and limitations of bridge electronics: what equipment displays, how to verify it, and when not to trust it. Radar shows relative motion; a steady bearing with decreasing range indicates risk of collision.
308 words, about 2 min07Emergency Procedures, Safety of Life at Sea, SAR and Pollution Prevention
Domain 7 tests immediate action and the regulatory framework: distress and urgency communications, abandon-ship and fire response, search and rescue, and pollution prevention. Muster lists and drills cover fire, abandon ship, man overboard, collision, grounding and oil spill.
308 words, about 2 min08Cargo Operations and Stowage Basics, Including Dangerous Goods Awareness
Domain 8 tests safe stowage, basic calculations, and awareness of dangerous goods rules rather than detailed chemistry. Stowage factor is volume per unit weight, in m³/t.
271 words, about 1 min09Seamanship: Ropework, Rigging, Anchoring and Deck Maintenance
Domain 9 tests hands-on deck knowledge: ropework, rigging, anchoring and maintenance, with questions on what you would actually do. Know wire, fibre and synthetic ropes; wire rope lays include regular lay and lang lay; fibre rope may be three-strand or braided.
304 words, about 2 min