100+ Free BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Practice Questions

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Sample BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under Rule 3 of COLREG, which of the following is included in the definition of a "vessel"?

A.Only mechanically self-propelled ships

B.Every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water

C.Only vessels over 500 gross tonnage

D.Only vessels engaged in international voyages

Explanation: Rule 3(a) of COLREG defines "vessel" broadly to include every description of watercraft, including non-displacement craft, WIG craft, and seaplanes, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water. This broad wording ensures the Rules apply to almost anything that transits on the water surface.

2According to Rule 9 (Narrow Channels), a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel navigating in a narrow channel shall:

A.Have right of way over all power-driven vessels

B.Not impede the passage of a vessel that can safely navigate only within the channel

C.Always overtake on the port side

D.Anchor immediately if traffic density increases

Explanation: Rule 9(b) states that a vessel of less than 20 metres in length or a sailing vessel shall not impede the passage of a vessel which can safely navigate only within a narrow channel or fairway, since larger deep-draft vessels have far less room to manoeuvre.

3Under Rule 13, a vessel is deemed to be "overtaking" another when coming up with it from a direction more than how many degrees abaft the other vessel's beam?

A.22.5 degrees

B.45 degrees

C.67.5 degrees

D.90 degrees

Explanation: Rule 13(b) defines overtaking as coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam — the point at which, at night, only her sternlight (and neither sidelight) would be visible, since the sternlight's 135-degree arc begins exactly there.

4When two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision (a head-on situation), Rule 14 requires each to:

A.Maintain course and speed

B.Alter course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other

C.Alter course to port so that each shall pass on the starboard side of the other

D.Reduce speed and sound five short blasts

Explanation: Rule 14 states that when two power-driven vessels are meeting head-on so as to involve risk of collision, each shall alter her course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other — a globally standardized rule that keeps both vessels' turns complementary.

5In a crossing situation between two power-driven vessels where risk of collision exists, Rule 15 requires the vessel that has the other on her own starboard side to:

A.Maintain course and speed as the stand-on vessel

B.Keep out of the way and, if circumstances allow, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel

C.Sound one short blast and hold her course

D.Alter course to port to pass astern-first

Explanation: Rule 15 makes the vessel that has another vessel on her own starboard side the give-way vessel; she must keep out of the way and, where possible, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel, typically by turning to pass astern of her.

6Rule 5 (Look-out) requires every vessel to maintain a proper look-out primarily by:

A.Radar alone, regardless of conditions

B.Sight and hearing as well as all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions

C.VHF radio monitoring only

D.The master personally, at all times

Explanation: Rule 5 requires every vessel at all times to maintain a proper look-out by sight and hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions, so as to make a full appraisal of the situation and risk of collision.

7Which factor is explicitly listed in Rule 6 for determining a vessel's "safe speed"?

A.The vessel's insured value

B.The state of visibility

C.The number of passengers on board

D.The nationality of the vessel's flag

Explanation: Rule 6 lists factors such as the state of visibility, traffic density, the vessel's manoeuvrability (stopping distance and turning ability), and the state of wind, sea, current, and proximity of navigational hazards as elements every vessel must take into account when determining a safe speed.

8In restricted visibility, Rule 19 requires a power-driven vessel to have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre and to proceed at:

A.Full sea speed to clear the area quickly

B.A safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility

C.Anchor immediately regardless of depth

D.The maximum speed permitted by her class certificate

Explanation: Rule 19(b) requires every vessel to proceed at a safe speed adapted to the prevailing circumstances and conditions of restricted visibility, and a power-driven vessel must additionally have her engines ready for immediate manoeuvre.

9Rule 19(d) states that a vessel detecting by radar alone the presence of another vessel forward of her beam, and determining a close-quarters situation is developing, shall avoid, so far as possible, an alteration of course consisting of:

A.A reduction of speed

B.An alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken

C.Use of the VHF radio

D.Sounding the fog signal

Explanation: Rule 19(d)(i) directs vessels avoiding a close-quarters situation detected by radar alone to avoid, as far as possible, an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (other than one being overtaken), because that manoeuvre could unpredictably bring the vessels closer together.

10In or near an area of restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water must sound, at intervals of not more than 2 minutes:

A.Two prolonged blasts

B.One prolonged blast

C.One prolonged blast followed by two short blasts

D.Rapid ringing of the bell for about five seconds

Explanation: Rule 35(a) requires a power-driven vessel making way through the water in or near restricted visibility to sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than two minutes.

About the BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Exam

The Bangladesh DoS Deck Officer Class 3 Certificate of Competency qualifies a seafarer to serve as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) under STCW Convention Regulation II/1 and Code Table A-II/1. Candidates must hold an eligibility ID from DoS, pass written subject examinations plus oral and signals tests, and hold a full set of required certificates of proficiency before the Certificate of Competency is issued through the DoS ERP system.

Assessment

Certificate of Competency assessment under the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Officers and Ratings Training, Certification, Recruitment, Work Hours and Watchkeeping Regulations, aligned with STCW Convention Regulation II/1 and STCW Code Table A-II/1 for Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW). Candidates must first complete an assessment and eligibility process, then pass separate written subject papers plus oral and signals examinations administered by the DoS COC Section, in addition to holding the required certificates of proficiency (such as PST, PSSR, EFA, AFF, FPFF, PSCRB, EDH, RADAR (OL), SSO, NAENS, ECDIS, BRM, SATDSD and SA) before a Class 3 (Deck) Certificate of Competency is issued.

Time Limit

DoS has not published a single fixed time limit applying to every Class 3 (Deck) subject paper; each written subject is typically sat as its own timed session, with oral and signals examinations conducted separately from the written papers. Confirm exact session timings with DoS or your maritime training institute.

Passing Score

DoS has not published one fixed overall percentage pass mark; deck officer examinations in Bangladesh are historically assessed subject-by-subject across written papers, with a separate oral and signals examination, and each subject generally must be passed individually. Confirm the current subject-wise pass requirements with DoS or your maritime training institute.

Exam Fee

DoS charges separate government fees for the assessment application, written/oral examination application, and certificate issuance, all paid online via the DoS ERP portal; these fees are set by the government and change periodically. Confirm the current fee schedule on the DoS ERP portal before applying. (Department of Shipping (DoS), Bangladesh, Ministry of Shipping)

BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Exam Content Outline

16%

COLREGs and Collision Avoidance

Steering and sailing rules, lights and shapes, sound and light signals, risk of collision, narrow channels, restricted visibility, and action to avoid collision.

15%

Passage Planning and Navigation

Voyage planning stages, great circle and rhumb-line sailing, compass error correction, gyrocompass, GPS, ECDIS, tides and tidal streams, and dead reckoning.

14%

Chartwork and Position Fixing

Chart symbols and datum, visual and radar position fixing, running fixes, clearing and danger bearings, parallel indexing, chart projections, and tidal height calculations.

13%

Watchkeeping and Bridge Procedures

OOW duties, watch handover, master's standing orders, Bridge Resource Management, pilotage, anchor watch, fatigue and rest-hour rules, and watch alarm systems.

10%

Ship Stability and Cargo Work

Metacentric height, free surface effect, trim, list and heel, load lines, deadweight and displacement, cargo securing, ballast operations, and cargo documentation.

10%

Seamanship and Ship Handling

Anchoring and mooring practice, ropes and wires, helm orders, effects of wind and current, squat in shallow water, towing operations, and knots and splices.

Meteorology and Oceanography

The Beaufort scale, tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal, Buys Ballot's Law, fog formation, ocean currents, weather charts, and sea and swell.

Safety and Emergency Procedures

Fire triangle and extinguishing methods, life-saving appliances, SART, muster and abandon-ship drills, man overboard, and pollution prevention under MARPOL.

Signals and Communications

International Code of Signals flag hoists, Morse code, GMDSS sea areas and VHF Channel 16, IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases, and manoeuvring signals.

How to Pass the BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: DoS has not published one fixed overall percentage pass mark; deck officer examinations in Bangladesh are historically assessed subject-by-subject across written papers, with a separate oral and signals examination, and each subject generally must be passed individually. Confirm the current subject-wise pass requirements with DoS or your maritime training institute.
Assessment: Certificate of Competency assessment under the Bangladesh Merchant Shipping Officers and Ratings Training, Certification, Recruitment, Work Hours and Watchkeeping Regulations, aligned with STCW Convention Regulation II/1 and STCW Code Table A-II/1 for Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW). Candidates must first complete an assessment and eligibility process, then pass separate written subject papers plus oral and signals examinations administered by the DoS COC Section, in addition to holding the required certificates of proficiency (such as PST, PSSR, EFA, AFF, FPFF, PSCRB, EDH, RADAR (OL), SSO, NAENS, ECDIS, BRM, SATDSD and SA) before a Class 3 (Deck) Certificate of Competency is issued.
Time limit: DoS has not published a single fixed time limit applying to every Class 3 (Deck) subject paper; each written subject is typically sat as its own timed session, with oral and signals examinations conducted separately from the written papers. Confirm exact session timings with DoS or your maritime training institute.
Exam fee: DoS charges separate government fees for the assessment application, written/oral examination application, and certificate issuance, all paid online via the DoS ERP portal; these fees are set by the government and change periodically. Confirm the current fee schedule on the DoS ERP portal before applying.

Keys to Passing

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BD Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Study Tips from Top Performers

1Start with COLREGs and build outward, since collision-avoidance rules, lights, shapes, and sound signals underpin watchkeeping, narrow-channel navigation, and restricted-visibility scenarios tested throughout the exam.

2Practice chartwork calculations by hand — course and compass conversions, running fixes, doubling the angle on the bow, and tidal height by the rule of twelfths — since coastal navigation on the Class 3 papers is calculation-heavy, not just definitional.

3Pair each navigation and stability topic with a practical bridge or cargo-watch task, such as verifying a danger bearing, checking anchor position for dragging, or assessing free surface effect in a slack tank, since STCW competency for an OOW is demonstrated through applied judgement, not memorization alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who awards the Deck Officer Class 3 (OOW) Certificate of Competency and what does it qualify you to do?

The Department of Shipping (DoS), Bangladesh, under the Ministry of Shipping, awards the Class 3 (Deck) Certificate of Competency, which qualifies the holder to serve as Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OOW) under STCW Convention Regulation II/1 and Code Table A-II/1, aboard seagoing merchant ships.

Is the Class 3 (Deck) examination only multiple-choice?

No. The DoS examination for Class 3 (Deck) consists of separate written subject papers plus oral and signals examinations, rather than a single multiple-choice test. This free bank focuses on the underlying knowledge with 100 multiple-choice questions to help you revise the core syllabus.

How many questions are in this practice bank and what topics does it cover?

This free bank has 100 multiple-choice questions covering COLREGs and collision avoidance, passage planning and navigation, chartwork and position fixing, watchkeeping and bridge procedures, ship stability and cargo work, seamanship and ship handling, meteorology and oceanography, safety and emergency procedures, and signals and communications.

What pass mark do I need for the Class 3 (Deck) written examination?

DoS has not published one fixed overall percentage pass mark; Bangladesh deck officer examinations are historically assessed subject-by-subject, with candidates generally required to pass each written subject individually in addition to a separate oral and signals examination. Confirm the current subject-wise pass requirements with DoS or your maritime training institute.

What certificates of proficiency are needed alongside the written and oral exams for a Class 3 (Deck) COC?

Beyond passing the written and oral examinations, DoS requires candidates for a new Class 3 (Deck) Certificate of Competency to hold current certificates of proficiency such as PST, AFF, FPFF, PSCRB, EDH, RADAR (Operational Level), SSO, NAENS, ECDIS, PSSR, EFA, BRM, SATDSD, and SA, along with sea service documented in the CDC and Training Record Book.