Competency exams · Deck
Second Mate exam preparation
The first deck officer certificate, issued after sea training as a deck cadet: what the exam involves and where to get help.
Second Mate (Foreign-Going) is the first Certificate of Competency for a deck officer. You sit it after your sea training as a deck cadet.
How the exam is structured
- Sea service as Deck Cadet. 18 months of sea service as a Deck Cadet.
- 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.
- Structured Shipboard Training Programme (SSTP) with Training Record Book. Successful completion of an approved Structured Shipboard Training Programme (SSTP).
- Post-sea Second Mate (F.G.) competency course. The post-sea Second Mate competency course applies to candidates from every other entry stream.
- 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.
- Examination: Navigation at the Operational Level (written, oral, visual signalling). An approved competency course, then the written, oral and visual-signalling examinations.
- 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.
- Certificate of Competency: Second Mate of a foreign-going ship. The Certificate of Competency is issued by DGMA. Reference: OIC NW, Form 1.
Source: DGMA (formerly DG Shipping) training rules and the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules 2014. Exam dates and booking are on the DGMA website.
Where to get help
The forum's Deck Officer Exams section is open to everyone: ask about the written papers, orals and signals there. A mentor session can help you plan your study.