Guidance for exams in UK

Guidance for appearing in exams in UK for class II and class I


SENIOR MARINE
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY

COURSES FOR MARITIME & COASTGUARD (MCA) / SQA
CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY



TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION GUIDANCE

Every candidate for an STCW 95 certificate of competency as deck or engineer officer must complete approved education and training and meet standards of competence laid down in the STCW Code.

To apply for a Certificate of Competency Notice of Eligibility, application should be made by the candidate direct to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in Southampton using the examination application form EXN3, (MSF 4275/REV 1004) copies of which are available from MCGA website. The College strongly advises all candidates to apply for ‘Notice of Eligibility’ at the earliest opportunity, preferably prior to commencing the course of study at the College, but at least 8 weeks prior to the Monday of the examination week.

When making application, it is important to ensure that workshop service testimonials give exact dates between which, the applicant was employed, and state the kind of work on which he has engaged and the period of time spent in each branch, e.g. fitting, turning, machine work, drawing office, etc. and testify to his conduct and ability.

Sea service testimonials must state actual rank on watch and the nature of duties performed by the applicant. They should be singed by the Chief Engineer and counter signed by the Master, Engineer Superintendent, Managing Owner or Secretary of the Company.



A candidate who is attempting an examination, which leads to his initial Certificate of Competency under the STCW 95 Regulations, must send original STCW 95 certificates to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency as follows: -

• Personal Survival Techniques
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• Advanced Fire Fighting
• Elementary First Aid
• Medical First Aid
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (CPSC)
• Personal Safety & Social Responsibility

Every candidate must also hold a valid Medical Fitness Certificate.


Applications together with the appropriate supporting documentation, which must be originals and not photocopies, plus the MCA examination fee should be sent (Recorded Delivery) to:

Examiner of Engineers
Maritime & Coastguard Agency
Bay 2 / 11, Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
SOUTHAMPTON
SO1 OZD




www.mcga.gov.uk


Telephone Number: 02380 329 100




When a candidate’s application has been approved, a ‘Notice of Eligibility’ will be issued and forwarded to the candidate by post. The ‘Notice of Eligibility’ will specify which examination subjects have been exempted or previously passed, and will authorise admission of a candidate to the remaining written and oral parts of the examination as appropriate.

This ‘Notice of Eligibility’ will be required by the College where Engineering Knowledge written examinations are to be taken and by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency Examiner conducting the oral examination. Individual subjects, SQA Certificates will be issued to candidates who are successful in the written examinations at Chief Engineer and Second Engineer level and by the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI) at OOW level.

The results of the oral examinations will be entered on the ‘Notice of Eligibility’ by the MCA Examiner. When all sections of the examination have been passed and when the SQA / IAMI Certificates for the written papers have been received, they should be forwarded together with the complete Notice of Eligibility to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency in Southampton.

Intending students are advised to make sure that they are qualified to sit the examinations before attending College. This is especially true for overseas students. The qualifications necessary to enter the MCA examinations are given below but must be taken as a guide only. Decisions regarding entry to the examinations can only be made by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency in Southampton.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency no longer give exemptions from any of the written examinations on the basis of qualifications gained abroad nor on individual subject passes obtained overseas via Certificates of Competency examinations set by other national administrations.




SECOND ENGINEER – UNLIMITED (STCW REG III/2)

Candidates will be required to complete the following qualifying sea service in ships of not less than 750 kW registered power whilst holding a certificate as watchkeeping officer issued in accordance with Regulation III/1 of STCW 95, or a Class 3 or Class 4 Engineer Officer certificate issued under the 1986 Merchant Shipping Regulations.


Motor Certificate 18 months, of which at least 9 months must have been spent in watchkeeping on main propelling machinery of motor ships or duties associated with the Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS).

Steam Certificate 18 months, of which at least 9 months must have been spending in watchkeeping in the boilers and main propelling machinery of steam ships or duties associated with the Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS).

Combined Certificate 18 months, of which at least 9 months must have been spent in watchkeeping on main propelling machinery of motor ships duties associated with the Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) and at least 9 months must have been spent in watchkeeping on the boilers and main propelling machinery of steam ships or duties associated with the Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS).


Sea service must be recorded / endorsed in the seafarer’s Discharge Book and be supported by testimonials signed by the Chief Engineer.


Candidates will be required to:

1. Follow an approved programme of education and training, which covers knowledge, understanding and proficiencies listed in the STCW Code.

2. Pass external written examinations administered by the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) in the following academic subjects at Second Engineer or Chief Engineer levels or be granted exemption on the basis of past achievements in national examinations.

• Applied Mechanics
• Applied Heat
• Mathematics
• Engineering Drawing
• Marine Electrotechnology
• Naval Architecture



3. Pass external written examinations administered by Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) in the following profession subjects:

• General Engineering Knowledge
• Motor and / or
• Steam Engineering Knowledge


In addition, candidates will be required to undertake the MCA oral examination.





As a direct consequence of the decision made by the MCA to allow progression direct to Chief Engineer Level Academic Subjects, it has been decided by this College to offer only Engineering Drawing and Mathematics at Second Engineer Level.

Engineering Knowledge also runs as Second Engineer Course

All other academic subjects will be delivered at Chief Engineer Level only.

Candidates who wish to sit examination papers at Second Engineer Level will be free to do so and attend the Chief Engineer classes for the necessary approved course of study.



COURSE DETAILS – SECOND ENGINEER


SECOND ENGINEER - PART A

Subjects: Applied Mechanics
Heat Engines
Mathematics
Engineering Drawing

Course Length:

Mathematics and Drawing Only offered as Distant Learning
Applied Mechanics & Heat Engines (Chief Engineer Level) 12 Weeks


SECOND ENGINEER - PART B

Students applying for Engineering Knowledge subjects must hold a valid Notice of Eligibility

Subjects: Electrotechnology
Naval Architecture
Engineering Knowledge (General)
Engineering Knowledge (Steam or Motor) Viva voce examination


Course Length: The full Part B Course is delivered over 13 weeks.
(Academic subjects delivered at Chief Engineer level)



SECOND ENGINEER - PART B Engineering Knowledge Only

Subjects: Motor Engineering Knowledge
Steam Engineering Knowledge
General Engineering Knowledge

Course Length: 10 weeks



MCA EXAMINATION CANDIDATES

Entrance to examinations for any of the above subjects requires Candidates to have completed an approved course of study in order to comply with STCW 95 Regulations.




CHIEF ENGINEER - UNLIMITED (STCW REG III/2)

Candidates will be required to complete 36 months sea service in the engine department as an Engineer Officer, inclusive of the time detailed in the following paragraphs.

Sea service must be recorded/endorsed in the seafarer’s Discharge Book and be backed up by testimonials signed by the Chief Engineer.

Candidates who possess a Second Engineer certificate, issued in accordance with Regulation III/2 of STCW 95 obtained by following the route described above.


• Second Engineer certificate, issued in accordance with Regulation III/2 of STCW 95 by revalidation of a Second Engineer Officer certificate issued under the 1986 Merchant Shipping regulations, or

• Second Engineer Officer certificate, issued under the 1986 Merchant Shipping regulations will be required to:

1. Complete the following sea service whilst holding one of the above certificates:


Motor Certificate 18 months in ships of 1500 kW or more, including 12 months as officer in charge of the watch or other position of responsibility in motor ships of 3000 kW or more.

Steam Certificate 18 months in ships of 1500 kW or more, including 12 months as officer in charge of the watch or other position of responsibility in steam ships of 3000 kW or more.

Combined Certificate 18 months, of which 9 months must have been spent in charge of the watch or other position of responsibility in motor ships of 3000 kW or more and 9 months must have been spent in charge of the watch or other position of responsibility in steam ships of 3000 kW or more


2. Follow an approved programme of education and training, which covers knowledge, understanding and proficiencies listed in the STCW Code.






3. Pass external written examinations administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority in the academic subjects, from which it may be possible to gain exemption on the basis of past achievements in national examinations.

• Applied Mechanics
• Applied Heat
• Marine Electrotechnology
• Naval Architecture


4. Pass external written examinations administered by the Scottish Qualification Authority in the following professional subjects:

• General Engineering Knowledge
• Motor Engineering Knowledge and/or
• Steam Engineering Knowledge


5 Undertake the MCA Oral Examination












COURSE DETAILS – CHIEF ENGINEER


CHIEF ENGINEER - PART A

Subjects: Applied Mechanics
Heat Engines


Course Length: 12 weeks



CHIEF ENGINEER - PART B

Students applying for Engineering Knowledge subjects must hold a valid Notice of Eligibility

Subjects: Electrotechnology
Naval Architecture
Engineering Knowledge (General),
Engineering Knowledge (Steam or Motor) Viva voce examination

Course Length: The full Part B course is delivered over 13 weeks



CHIEF ENGINEER - PART B Engineering Knowledge Only

Subjects: Motor Engineering Knowledge
Steam Engineering Knowledge and General
General Engineering Knowledge


Course Length: 10 weeks


MCA EXAMINATION CANDIDATES

Entrance to examinations for any of the above subjects requires Candidates to have completed an approved course of study on order to comply with STCW 95 Regulations








COMBINED CERTIFICATE CHIEF ENGINEER OR SECOND ENGINEER
(Formerly termed Endorsement)


Entrance Requirements for Engineering Knowledge Examinations:

(a) For a combined certificate, 6 months sea service, of which at least 6 months must have been spent on the boilers and main propelling machinery of a steam ship, a motor ship whilst already in possession of a Class 1 Certificate in either discipline.

For a Chief Engineer Combined Certificate the sea service must have been ships with a power of not less than 3000 kW.

(b) A Chief Engineer or Second Engineer Certificate either Steam or Motor as appropriate.


Subjects: Engineering Knowledge (Steam or Motor); Viva voce examination

Course Length: 6 weeks (Infill into 10 week EKs class)



REVALIDATION UNDER STCW 95

Existing power and area limitations will be carried forward regardless of the date of issue of the original certificate.

Candidates will be required to hold either a Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft (CPSC) or the new Certificate of Proficiency in Survival and Rescue Boats (CPSC & RB)

The old Certificates of Efficiency as a lifeboat man will be acceptable as equivalent to the CPSC provided that candidate must also undertake the Personal Survival Techniques or the Basic Sea Survival Training. OPITO courses will not be treated as equivalent to CPSC.

Candidates will be required to hold either a First Aid at Sea or the new Medical First Aid Certificate.

Requirements in respect of sea-service or acceptable professionally related employment and medical fitness will continue to apply.




DISTANCE LEARNING

COURSES FOR MCA CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY


Note: It has been agreed that our Distance Learning material satisfies STCW 95 requirements for an approved course of study.

These distance learning courses are devised to satisfy demand from potential students of the college, who for whatever reason are unable to attend full time college based courses.

The advantages of this arrangement are:

• Avoidance of travelling expenses to and from college
• Avoidance of accommodation expenses in the college vicinity
• Continuation of employment while studying
• The students can progress at their own individual pace

Note: This provision would also be of assistance to candidates contemplating attempting Chief Engineer academic subject examinations at Second Engineer level.


The only disadvantage of the distance learning type of education is the absence of a lecturer to solve problems as they occur and motivate students in the correct direction. In consequence of this, a student taking a distance learning course must be willing to apply himself to the various tasks given. It is our intention to set up an ‘Intranet Forum’, to enable students to contact each other, this will hopefully start when the ‘Blackboard’ courses are made available.

The number of subjects studied simultaneously by a student is left to his / her own discretion and consequently the distance learning fee is quoted on a single subject basis and full course basis. It is estimated that even the more able student will take at least 3 weeks to study one subject.

The distance learning courses available are:

• Second Engineer <3000 kW MCA Certificate of Competency
(also known as Class 3)

• Second Engineer MCA Certificate of Competency
• Chief Engineer MCA Certificate of Competency (Academic subjects only)





Second Engineer < 3000 kW MCA Certificate of Competency

The subject packages available within the above Distance Learning course are as follows:

• General Engineering Science I (Maths & Mechanics)
• General Engineering Science II (Heat & Electrotechnology)
• Engineering Knowledge I
• Engineering Knowledge II



Second Engineer MCA Certificate of Competency

The subjects available within the Class 2 Distance Learning course are as follows: -

Part A Subjects Part B Subjects
Mathematics Naval Architecture
Applied Mechanics Electrotechnology
Applied Heat Engineering Knowledge – General / Motor / Steam
Engineering Drawing


Chief Engineer MCA Certificate of Competency

The subjects available within the Class 1 Distance Learning course are as follows: -

Part A Subjects Part B Subjects

Applied Heat Electrotechnology
Applied Mechanics Naval Architecture



ORAL EXAMINATIONS

Your application for examinations will only be accepted if your training / or qualifying seas service satisfies the Agency’s requirements. Oral examinations will be held at the following Marine Offices of the MCA.


1 Aberdeen
Blaikies Quay
Aberdeen
AB11 5EZ
Telephone: 01224 597900


2 Belfast
Marine Office
Bregenz House
Quay Street
Bangor
Co. Down
Befast
BT20 5ED
Telephone: 028 9147 5310
Email Belfast_mo@mcga.gov.uk


3 Cardiff
Anchor Court
Keen Road
Cardiff
CF24 5JW
Telephone: 029 2044 8822
Email Cardiff_mo@mcga.gov.uk


4 Glasgow
Marine Office
Navy Buildings
Eldon Street
Greenock
Inverclyde
PA16 7QY
Telephone: 01475 553370


5 Hull
Crosskill House
Mill Lane
HU17 9JB
Telephone: 01482 866606


6 Liverpool
Hall Road West
Crosby
Liverpool
L23 8SY
Telephone: 0151 931 6600
Email Liverpool_mo@mcga.gov.uk


7 London
1B Knoll Rise
Orpington
Kent
BR6 0JA
Telephone: 01689 890 400


8 Newcastle
Government Building
Broadway West
Gosforth
Newcastle-Upon-Tyne
NE3 2JL
Telephone: 0191 496 9900


9 Plymouth
New Fish Market
Baylys Wharf
Fish Quay
Plymouth
PL4 0lH
Telephone: 01752 266 211
Email Plymouth_mo@mcga.gov.uk


10 Southampton
‘Spring Place’
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO1 0ZD
Telephone: 02380 329100