Guidance

MCA Deck Safety Examination Syllabuses

The examination syllabuses for the MCA's Deck safety examinations.

• From: Maritime and Coastguard Agency
• Published: 6 May 2014
• Last updated: 25 February 2025
  Show all updates

  1. 25 February 2025

     Removed old syllabuses. Syllabuses for March 2025 diets onwards already uploaded.

  2. 29 January 2025

     Upload of the following documents: OOW 500GT Near Coastal MCA/SQA Navigation Exam Syllabus (Used from March 2026 exam onwards) OOW 500GT Near Coastal MCA/SQA Stability & Operations Exam Syllabus (Used from March 2026 exam onwards) The documents have all been re-ordered from 2024 through to 2026

  3. 29 January 2025

     Update of the 034-84 OOW Stability and Operations Syllabus attachment

  4. 20 January 2025

     Removal of formula sheet from 034-84 OOW Navigation syllabus

  5. 31 December 2024

     Syllabus' for OOW, Chief Mate and Master Unlimited have been uploaded and are to be used from March 2025 exams onwards.

  6. 6 May 2014

     First published.

Documents

034-83 OOW Navigation Syllabus (Used from March 2025 exams onwards)

PDF, 150 KB, 3 pages

034-84 OOW Stability and Operations Syllabus (Used from March 2025 exams onwards)

PDF, 150 KB, 3 pages

032-73 Chief Mate - Master Unlimited MCA-SQA Navigation Exam Syllabus (Used from March 2025 exams onwards)

PDF, 187 KB, 5 pages

032-74 Chief Mate - Master Unlimited Stability and Structure Syllabus (Used from March 2025 exams onwards)

PDF, 165 KB, 7 pages

OOW 500GT Near Coastal MCA/SQA Chartwork and Practical Navigation Exam Syllabus (Used from March 2026 exam onwards)

PDF, 134 KB, 3 pages

OOW 500GT Near Coastal MCA/SQA General Ship Knowledge Exam Syllabus (Used from March 2026 exam onwards)

PDF, 155 KB, 3 pages

Details

This guidance provides information and outlines the examination syllabuses for Merchant Navy Deck safety examinations, leading to the issue of a UK Certificate of Competency. These exams are currently delegated to the Scottish Qualifications Authority.

This is guidance to all Owners, Masters, Officers, Ratings and those concerned with maritime training. This guidance should be read with with MSN 1856 - Amendment 1.