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RYA & STCW Courses – Sail, Power, Super-Yacht & Workboat

Master 200 & OOW 500 CoC Oral Exam Preparation

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MCA MASTER 200 COURSE DETAILS:

The Master 200 Exam is an oral exam taken with an MCA Examiner. Prior to your exam 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.

Coded vessel under 200 tonnes

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 EXAM 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 ✅ ✅
STCW Proficiency in Security Awareness ✅ ✅
HELM (Human Element Leadership & Management, Operational Level) ✅ ✅
RYA Coastal Skipper / Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased and RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence and Completed at least 6 months seagoing service while holding RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competence* OR MCA Fishing COC Class 2 ✅
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased and RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Shorebased and RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate of Competence and Completed at least 6 months seagoing service while holding RYA 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 is given below

NAVIGATIONAL SAFETY

1 PLAN AND CONDUCT A PASSAGE INCLUDING CHARTWORK AND POSITION DETERMINATION

  1. Passage planning with respect to use of navigational publications including navigational charts, sailing directions, light lists, tide tables, radio and navigational warnings
  2. IALA system of maritime buoyage A and B
  3. Limitations and sources of error of electronic chart and navigation systems
  4. Radar and ARPA – practical use of, modes of operation, limitations and sources of error, including basic radar plotting techniques
  5. Understands the importance of regular checking of the vessel’s position and action to be taken if found off track
  6. Applies variation and deviation to convert true course to compass course and vice versa; understands the basic causes of variation and deviation
  7. Fixe a ship’s position on the chart given magnetic bearings and/or radar ranges and quotes position by latitude and longitude
  8. Finds the magnetic course to steer and the ETA at a given destination given the starting position and log speed
  9. Identifies transits and clearing marks from the chart in order to plan a safe approach to harbour or anchorage
  10. States the meaning and explains the significance of chart symbols and abbreviations in common use
  11. Knows how to obtain and use weekly notices to mariners in order to correct charts
  12. Finds the time of high and low water, and predicts intermediate heights and/or times for standard and secondary ports
  13. Find and predict set and rate of the tide from tidal reference points on the chart, and tidal stream atlas

2 METEOROLOGY

  1. Knows the sources of meteorological information
  2. Interprets weather forecasts including knowledge of characteristics of various weather systems
  3. Ability to use and interpret information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments

3 MAINTAIN A SAFE NAVIGATIONAL WATCH

  1. A thorough knowledge of the principles of navigational watch keeping at sea, including watchkeeping at anchor; as STCW Code A-VIII and ICS Bridge Procedures Guide
  2. Understand the use of bridge equipment, including echo sounder and Navtex
  3. Knowledge of steering control systems, including automatic pilot and operational procedures and change over from manual to automatic control and vice-versa
  4. Maintain navigational records
  5. Knows the circumstances under which the Master should be called to the bridge
  6. Knows the principles for handing over and relieving the navigational watch

4 INTERNATIONAL REGULATIONS FOR PREVENTING COLLISIONS AT SEA (COLREGS). A THOROUGH KNOWLEDGE OF THE COLREGS INCLUDING:

  1. Requirements for proceeding at a safe speed and keeping a lookout
  2. Recognises the lights and shapes, and fog signals for all classes of vessel
  3. Recognises the manoeuvring sound signals
  4. Recognises light signals
  5. Recognise a developing collision situation by compass, radar or visual reference
  6. States the actions to be taken by day and night to avoid collision
  7. Describes the precautions to be taken when navigating in or near areas of restricted visibility; assess the likely likelihood of collision of vessel detected by radar alone and action to be taken to avoid a collision
  8. Describes the requirements for navigating in or near traffic separation schemes
  9. Describes the requirement for navigating in narrow channels

RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES, OPERATIONAL SAFETY AND POLLUTION CONTROL

1 DISTRESS SIGNALS AND COMMUNICATIONS

  1. State the conditions under which distress signals may be used; understands the various types of distress signal, action to be taken on receipt and the obligations to render assistance
  2. Understands the correct use of pyrotechnics, EPIRBS and SARTS including the appropriate circumstances for their use
  3. Understands correct distress communications procedures including the terms Mayday, PanPan and Securité messages
  4. Emergency communication with the GMDSS regulations

2 MANOEUVRING THE VESSEL

  1. Preparation for getting under way, duties prior to proceeding to sea, making harbour, entering a dock, berthing alongside quays and jetties or other ships, and securing to buoys
  2. Use and care of mooring lines and associated equipment
  3. Helm orders, conning the ship, effects of propellers on the steering of the ship, effects of wind and current, stopping, going astern, and turning short round
  4. Action in event of failure of bridge control, telegraph or steering gear, including emergency steering arrangements
  5. Procedures for anchoring
  6. Understand the precautions to be observed when using winches and windlass
  7. Understand the precautions to be observed when mooring and un-mooring

3 RESPONSE TO EMERGENCIES

  1. Initial action following: man overboard, collision, grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, initial damage assessment and control, protection of the marine environment
  2. Knowledge of fire prevention, use and care of fire-fighting appliances, the shut-down and isolation of plant and equipment, escape and breathing apparatus, fire and safety plans
  3. Use and care of lifesaving appliances and equipment including, immersion suits and thermal protective aids, pyrotechnics and line throwing apparatus
  4. Launching of life rafts and rescue boats; proper rigging of life raft hydrostatic release units
  5. Basic principles of survival

4 POLLUTION PREVENTION REQUIREMENTS

  1. Pollution prevention in port and at sea; measures to be taken to prevent pollution during bunkering
  2. Action to be taken in response to pollution incidents in port and at sea
  3. Basic understanding of garbage management, and disposal of garbage and oil residue

5 SEAWORTHINESS OF THE SHIP

  1. Understand fundamentals of watertight integrity, and the closing of all openings including hatches, access hatches and watertight doors
  2. Understands the difference between good stability and poor stability, and recognises the warnings signs of the latter
  3. Preparations for heavy weather, ensuring and maintaining watertight integrity
  4. Describes the effect on stability of:
  • raising and lowering weights
  • low freeboard
  • obstruction of deck freeing arrangements and scuppers
  • slack tanks

6 BUSINESS AND LAW

  1. Understand the content and application of the applicable Codes, namely ‘Small Vessels Code’1 and Large Commercial Yacht Code (LY2)2
  2. A knowledge of the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen 3, the content and practical application
  3. A knowledge of the requirements for musters and drills including fire, emergency, and abandon ship drills
  4. Understand the legal obligation to ensure a seaworthy vessel
  5. A basic understanding of the laws of salvage
  6. Understand the requirements for safe manning, hours of work and watch keeping
  7. Understand the circumstances when a vessel requires a crew agreement
Workboat Code Master 200

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 (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 MASTER 200 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.