Prepare for your competency exam

Already at sea? Start with the certificate planner: enter your rank, sea time and certificates and it shows your next step and what it requires. The two most common first exams are set out below.

MEO Class IV (Fourth Engineer)

The first engineer officer certificate, issued after sea training as a trainee marine engineer. The exam has two parts:

1. MEO Class IV Part A examination (Heat Engines, Applied Mechanics, Mathematics, Engineering Drawing). The MEO Class IV Part A examination in the functions and subjects of the TEAP table.
2. Exemptions from Part A, where the stream earns them. Part A exemptions follow the sub-clauses of clause 13, Section III/9 of the TEAP manual.
3. Approved sea service documented in the Training and Assessment Record (TAR) book. Six months of approved sea service documented in the Training and Assessment Record Book.
4. MEO Class IV Part B written and oral examination (four functions). The Part B written and oral examination across the four engineering functions.
5. Certificate of Competency: MEO Class IV (OIC EW, Form 14). The Certificate of Competency is issued in Form 14 (MEO Class IV).

Second Mate (Foreign-Going)

The first deck officer certificate, issued after sea training as a deck cadet:

1. Sea service as Deck Cadet. 18 months of sea service as a Deck Cadet.
2. Bridge watch-keeping under supervision, documented in the Training Record Book. At least 8 hours of bridge watch in every 24 hours at sea, recorded in the Training Record Book.
3. Structured Shipboard Training Programme (SSTP) with Training Record Book. Successful completion of an approved Structured Shipboard Training Programme (SSTP).
4. Post-sea Second Mate (F.G.) competency course. The post-sea Second Mate competency course applies to candidates from every other entry stream.
5. Post-sea proficiency courses (ROSC, ARPA, ECDIS, GMDSS GOC, PSCRB, AFF, MFA, security). The post-sea proficiency courses — ROSC, ARPA, ECDIS, GMDSS GOC, PSCRB, AFF, MFA and the security course.
6. Examination: Navigation at the Operational Level (written, oral, visual signalling). An approved competency course, then the written, oral and visual-signalling examinations.
7. Examination: Cargo Handling and Stowage; Controlling the Operation of the Ship (written and oral). The written and oral examination in Cargo Handling and Stowage at the operational level.
8. Certificate of Competency: Second Mate of a foreign-going ship (OIC NW, Form 1). The Certificate of Competency is issued in Form 1 (Second Mate, foreign-going).

Source: DGMA (formerly DG Shipping) training rules (TEAP) and the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules 2014, as held in the Marine One route data. Exam dates and booking are on the DGMA website.

Exam preparation courses

Marine One's competency exam courses are being prepared. Until they open, the Exam & Study Help section of the forum is the place to ask about papers and orals, and a mentor session can help you plan your study.