Maritime Coastguard Agency
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This Marine Information Note (MIN) provides information and outlines the updated Oral exam syllabus, for Merchant Navy deck officers, leading to the issue of a UK Certificate of Competency.
This is a notice to all Owners, Masters, Officers, Ratings and those concerned with maritime training. This notice should be read with with MSN 1856 - Amendment 1, MIN 675 and replaces MGN 69.
The STCW Convention requires all officers to complete an approved education and training programme and meet the standards of competence specified in the STCW Code. All education and training programmes leading to a Certificate of Competency (CoC) must be mapped to the Code and approved by the MCA. The MCA Deck oral examination syllabus is mapped to the relevant STCW Code tables. The oral examination forms part of the assessment for the attainment of all MCA Certificates of Competency, and all candidates must demonstrate an adequate knowledge of the English language.
Please send any feedback to exams@mcga.gov.uk.
This MIN expires 01 May 2026