MCA MASTER 200 COURSE DETAILS:
The Master 200 Exam is taken in two parts. Part A is an online exam. Once you have passed part A, you will be allocated a part B slot, usually within 6 weeks. Part B, the oral exam, is taken face to face on Microsoft Teams with an MCA Examiner. Prior to your exams it is sensible to undergo a preparation course.
Most candidates will join our 5-day preparation course which includes a short mock oral exam and personal debrief. Alternatively you can arrange 1:1 coaching. These are two distinct options, you choose the one that suits your budget and your time.
This course prepares candidates for the MCA Master 200 qualification; the full title of the qualification is “STCW Master (Code vessels less than 200gt) / Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 500gt).”
There are two versions of the Master 200 Certificate of Competence (CoC). The Master 200 (limited) can operate up to 150NM from a safe haven, whereas the full Master 200 (unlimited) qualification allows you to operate globally. The preparation course and exam for both are the same; it is your pre-requisites which dictate which level you become.
MCA MASTER 200 COURSE OVERVIEW:
The Master 200 qualification is the next rung up the ladder after Yachtmaster (Offshore and/or Ocean) Certificates of Competence. If you took the M200 (limited) as only a YM Offshore, it is a simple rubber stamp to add the Ocean later and become a M200 (unlimited).
The MCA / RYA Yachtmaster Certificates of Competence are written into UK legislation (as well as that of Australia, New Zealand and a few other countries). On a UK vessel, the qualification covers you legally up to 200 tonnes. Whilst RYA/MCA Yachtmaster CoCs are not written into the legislation of most countries, there are some countries (such as Portugal) who do informally recognise them as a valid qualification for commercial skippers. It is important to note, however, that there are still a few countries (including Italy and Monaco) that do not recognise the Yachtmaster CoC. The Master 200 is more likely to be recognised in law by all IMO countries (about 130 nations).
Benefits to an existing Yachtmaster (Offshore or Ocean) progressing to become a Master 200
- 1. The Master 200 Certificate of Competence (CoC) is legally recognised by more national authorities outside the UK than the Yachtmaster CoC.
- 2. Those qualified to Master 200 are also automatically qualified as a watch officer (OOW) on yachts up to 500 tonnes.
- 3. Although the Master 200 CoC does not open any more doors legally in the UK for vessels under 200 tonnes than a Yachtmaster CoC already does, it is acknowledged that the Master 200 certificate holder will have had a considerable level of additional Skipper training. Skippers who hold the Master 200 qualification are therefore considered step above those with the Yachtmaster and are ultimately more employable as a result. Some employers, particulary in the wind farm sector insist on this higher level qualification.
- 4. The Master 200 CoC is a good bridging between the MCA/RYA Yachtmaster courses and the MCA Deck Officer Courses.
- 5. In the workboat sector the Master 200 CoC is a route to Master 500 (workboat) CoC.
MCA MASTER 200 CONVERSION FROM FISHING COC CLASS 1 OR 2:
If you hold a Fishing COC Class 1, you can convert to Master 200 (unrestricted). If you hold a Fishing COC Class 2 you can convert to Master 200 (restricted).
MCA MASTER 200 EXAM PREPERATION FORMAT:
We offer Master 200 training in two formats. Choose between;
Master 200 Five Day Preparation Course
Join a small group of fellow candidates for our preparation course. On day 5 you will take a short 1:1 mock exam with our Instructor/Examiner. His feedback will be an essential part of your learning/review process before attending your actual exam, with the MCA.
Master 200 Bespoke 1:1 Training
1:1 Preparation course focusing on ensuring the candidate will pass the MCA Master 200 Oral Exam. Training is ideally run from Southampton, UK but can be over Zoom if necessary. Contact time can be as long or as short as you require. This bespoke option, is of course more expensive (per hour) but means that time is focused 100% on the areas you need. Most students book 12 or 16 hours 1:1 and then some students top up if they feel they would benefit from some more time with the Instructor. 12 or 16 hours can be spread over 2 or 3 days or can be 3 or 4 half days (i.e. mornings or afternoons) where you have time to self study during the other half of the day.
MCA MASTER 200 COURSE DURATION:
Master 200 Classroom Prep. Course
The prep course runs for 5 days, Monday to Friday.
Master 200 Bespoke (classroom or zoom) 1:1 Training
This is bespoke 1:1 coaching and can be for any number of hours. We recommend 12-16 for most students, particularly if you can do some directed study between your Instructor led sessions.
MCA MASTER 200 CoC PRE REQUISITES:
| Master 200 (limited) | Master 200 (un-limited) | |
| Minimum Age 18 | ✅ | ✅ |
| ENG1 Seafarers Medical | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW Personal Survival Techniques | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW PSSR | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW Fire Fighting & Fire Prevention | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW Elementary First Aid (or higher) | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness | ✅ | ✅ |
| HELM O (Human Element Leadership & Management, Operational Level) | ✅ | ✅ |
| RYA or IYT Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased | ✅ | |
| RYA or IYT Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and Completed at least 6 months seagoing service while holding Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence* OR MCA Fishing COC Class 2 | ✅ | |
| RYA or IYT Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased | ✅ | ✅ |
| RYA or IYT Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence and Completed at least 6 months seagoing service while holding Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence* OR MCA Fishing COC Class 1 OR UK OOW Unlimited COC | ✅ | ✅ |
| STCW GMDSS ROC (Restricted Operator Certificate) | ✅ | |
| STCW GMDSS GOC (General Operator Certificate) | ✅ | |
| Notice of Eligibility from the MCA | ✅ | ✅ |
- If your Yachtmaster Certificate of Competence was issued prior to 31 July 2003, this is not required.
EXAM PREPERATION CONTENT:
You will spend time studying the following:
- IRPCS
- Navigational safety
- Voyage planning
- Responses to emergencies
- Use of Radar
- Law
- Business
- Pollution control
- GMDSS
A more detailed exam syllabus can be found at Master 200 Exam Syllabus.
MASTER 200 PART A- ONLINE EXAM
Part A is a proctored online exam. It consist of 15 questions, each worth 4 marks. You have 40 minutes to complete the exam, once you have answered a question you can not go back.
There are 3 question (12 marks) on IRPCS, for which you must score at least 90%. There are 3 questions (12 marks) on IALA buoyage, for which again you must score 90%. There are then 3 questions on Navigational Procedures where you must score at least 80%. The remaining six questions are drawn from the remainder of the syllabus above and you must score at least 50% on each one.
MASTER 200 PART B- ORAL EXAM
Part B is the actual MCA oral exam, which is taken on Microsoft Teams. It is 1-2 hrs.
INCLUDED IN OUR EXAM PREPARATION:
- Tuition
- Use of resources
- Tea/Coffee
- Free (on street) parking
NOT INCLUDED IN OUR EXAM PREPARATION:
- Your Oral Exam, which is booked directly with the MCA. To book this you will need to have a NOE (Notice of Eligibility) from the MCA.
HOW MUCH IS MASTER 200 PREP TRAINING?
- 5 day face to face course at our centre £1,190
- 2 Hour 1:1 mock exam and debrief £200 (classroom or zoom)
- 12 Hours 1:1 preparation £1,100 (classroom or zoom), subsequent hours are £85/hour
BOOKING THE MCA MASTER 200 EXAM PREPARATION:
Dates for the 5 day course can be selected below. Due to its bespoke nature the 1:1 course version is best arranged by phone or email.
WHY CHOOSE CHIEFTAIN TRAINING FOR YOUR MCA ORAL EXAM PREPARATION COURSE?
Our Lead Deck Officer Instructor is the MCA’s former Chief Examiner. This is the man who recruited and trained many of today’s MCA examiners as well as set the standards they should follow. He will be involved in the delivery of your training, whether you book our classroom or zoom option. There is no one better to have on your team as we help prepare you for your MCA oral exam. Our Principal was one of the UK’s first ever M200s and has been involved with these courses ever since.