100+ Free GMA OOW Deck Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: GMA OOW Deck Exam

70%

Passing Score

GMA

12-36 mo

Sea Service Required

STCW II/1

~$150

Examination Fee

GMA Guidelines

5 years

CoC Validity

STCW Revalidation

Oral + Written

Exam Format

GMA / RMU

100 Qs

Practice Test Size

OpenExamPrep

The GMA Officer of the Watch (Deck) CoC requires approved training at the Regional Maritime University, 12-36 months of documented sea service, and passing written and oral examinations. The written exams cover navigation (celestial and electronic), ship stability, cargo work, and watchkeeping protocols (Colregs). The credential is valid for 5 years before revalidation is required.

Sample GMA OOW Deck Practice Questions

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

1Under COLREGs Rule 6, which of the following is a primary factor that MUST be taken into account by all vessels in determining safe speed?

A.The maximum speed capability of the vessel's propulsion plant

B.The state of visibility, traffic density, and the state of wind, sea, and current

C.The scheduled arrival time at the next port of call

D.The quantity and type of hazardous cargo stowed on deck

Explanation: Rule 6 of the COLREGs specifies that the state of visibility, traffic density, and environmental conditions (wind, sea, and current) are critical factors that all vessels must consider to determine safe speed, enabling effective action to avoid collision.

2COLREGs Rule 9 dictates that a vessel proceeding along the course of a narrow channel or fairway shall keep as near to which limit of the channel as is safe and practicable?

A.The outer limit which lies on her port side

B.The outer limit which lies on her starboard side

C.The exact centerline of the channel or fairway

D.The side that offers the deepest draft, regardless of orientation

Explanation: Rule 9(a) requires vessels in narrow channels or fairways to keep as near to the outer limit of the channel which lies on their starboard side as is safe and practicable, establishing a clear 'keep to the right' rule.

3Under COLREGs Rule 10, a vessel crossing a traffic lane in a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) shall, so far as practicable, cross on what heading?

A.A heading at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow

B.A heading parallel to the general direction of traffic flow

C.A heading at an angle of 45 degrees to the general direction of traffic flow

D.A heading that minimizes the fuel consumption, regardless of angle

Explanation: Rule 10(c) states that a vessel crossing traffic lanes shall, so far as practicable, do so on a heading at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. This presents the vessel's profile clearly to transiting traffic and minimizes crossing time.

4According to COLREGs Rule 13, a vessel is deemed to be overtaking another when she approaches the other vessel from a direction more than how many degrees abaft her beam?

A.11.25 degrees

B.22.5 degrees

C.45 degrees

D.67.5 degrees

Explanation: Rule 13(b) states that a vessel is overtaking when coming up with another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam. At night, this means she would only be able to see the sternlight of the overtaken vessel, but neither of her sidelights.

5Under COLREGs Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses so as to involve risk of collision, what action MUST each take?

A.Both vessels must alter course to port to pass on each other's starboard side

B.Both vessels must alter course to starboard to pass on each other's port side

C.The vessel that has the other on her own starboard side must keep out of the way

D.Both vessels must maintain their course and speed and monitor the CPA

Explanation: COLREGs Rule 14 (Head-on situation) dictates that when two power-driven vessels are meeting on reciprocal or nearly reciprocal courses, each shall alter her course to starboard so that each shall pass on the port side of the other.

6In a crossing situation under COLREGs Rule 15, if two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision, which vessel must keep out of the way?

A.The vessel which has the other on her own port side

B.The vessel which has the other on her own starboard side

C.The larger vessel, which has less maneuverability

D.The vessel that is currently traveling at a higher speed

Explanation: Rule 15 states that when two power-driven vessels are crossing, the vessel which has the other on her own starboard side shall keep out of the way and shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel.

7Under COLREGs Rule 18, a power-driven vessel underway MUST keep out of the way of which of the following vessels?

A.A vessel engaged in towing another vessel in a standard, non-restricted operation

B.A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a vessel engaged in fishing, and a sailing vessel

C.A vessel constrained by her draft, but only when operating in a narrow channel

D.Any vessel that is smaller than 50 meters in length

Explanation: Rule 18 establishes the hierarchy of vessels. A power-driven vessel underway must keep out of the way of a vessel not under command (NUC), a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (RAM), a vessel engaged in fishing, and a sailing vessel.

8Under COLREGs Rule 19, when operating in restricted visibility, how must a vessel behave if she detects another vessel by radar alone?

A.She must maintain course and speed as the stand-on vessel until the other vessel is sighted visually

B.She must determine if a close-quarters situation is developing and, if so, take avoiding action in ample time, avoiding an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam

C.She must immediately sound a series of five short and rapid blasts and anchor

D.She must contact the other vessel via VHF radio and agree on a passing arrangement before altering course

Explanation: Rule 19(d) requires a vessel detecting another by radar alone in restricted visibility to determine if a close-quarters situation or risk of collision exists. If so, she must take avoiding action in ample time, avoiding an alteration of course to port for a vessel forward of the beam (except for an overtaken vessel).

9Under COLREGs Rule 21 and 22, what is the required arc of visibility and minimum range for a masthead light on a vessel of 50 meters or more in length?

A.An unbroken arc of 112.5 degrees over 3 miles

B.An unbroken arc of 225 degrees over 6 miles

C.An unbroken arc of 135 degrees over 2 miles

D.An unbroken arc of 360 degrees over 5 miles

Explanation: A masthead light on a vessel of 50m or more must show an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 225 degrees (from right ahead to 22.5 degrees abaft the beam on either side) and have a minimum range of 6 miles under Rule 22.

10COLREGs Rule 24 dictates that when a power-driven vessel is towing another, and the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, what day shape and lights MUST be exhibited?

A.A black ball day shape; two masthead lights in a vertical line

B.A diamond shape where it can best be seen; three masthead lights in a vertical line

C.A cylinder shape; a single all-round red light

D.Two black cones points together; a yellow towing light above the sternlight

Explanation: Under Rule 24(a), if the length of the tow exceeds 200 meters, the towing vessel must display three masthead lights in a vertical line (the third light indicating a tow > 200m) and a diamond day shape on both the towing vessel and the tow.

About the GMA OOW Deck Exam

The Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA) Certificate of Competency (CoC) for Officer of the Watch (OOW) Deck level is the standard qualification for bridge watchkeeping officers on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, in compliance with STCW Regulation II/1. The training program is administered via the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, and candidates are tested across written examinations in marine navigation, meteorology, ship construction and stability, cargo operations, and seamanship/watchkeeping, followed by a rigorous oral exam.

Assessment

Written examinations (Navigation, Stability, Seamanship) + oral assessment

Time Limit

3 hours per paper

Passing Score

70%

Exam Fee

~$150 (Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA))

GMA OOW Deck Exam Content Outline

25%

Navigation & Chartwork

Terrestrial and celestial navigation, charts, tidal calculations, magnetic/gyro compass corrections, and ECDIS/GPS operations.

25%

COLREGs & Watchkeeping

International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (Rules 1-38), steering and sailing rules, lights/shapes, and watchkeeping principles.

15%

Radar & ARPA Plotting

Relative and true plotting, CPA/TCPA calculations, target course/speed vector analysis, and radar control settings (STC/FTC).

20%

Ship Stability & Seamanship

Transverse stability calculations (GM/GZ), trim/list, free surface effect, cargo stowage/securing (CSS Code), and ship handling (anchoring/mooring).

15%

Safety, Emergency & MARPOL

SOLAS life-saving appliances, fire fighting (FFA), MARPOL Annexes I-VI, and search and rescue (IAMSAR) procedures.

How to Pass the GMA OOW Deck Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 70%
Assessment: Written examinations (Navigation, Stability, Seamanship) + oral assessment
Time limit: 3 hours per paper
Exam fee: ~$150

Keys to Passing

Complete 500+ practice questions
Score 80%+ consistently before scheduling
Focus on highest-weighted sections
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

GMA OOW Deck Study Tips from Top Performers

1Memorize COLREGs Rules 1 to 38 word-for-word, particularly the lights, day shapes, and sound signal sectors.

2Practice drawing relative motion lines on radar plotting sheets to calculate CPA, TCPA, target true course, and aspect.

3Understand standard gyro and magnetic compass error calculations including sun amplitude and azimuth observations.

4Master transverse stability calculations including the effect of shifting or loading weights on GM and GZ righting levers.

5Practice free surface correction calculations for slack cargo and ballast tanks.

6Know the steps for correcting a sextant altitude: index error, dip, refraction, and semi-diameter adjustments.

7Learn the IAMSAR search patterns (Sector Search, Expanding Square, Parallel Sweep) and when to deploy each.

8Be prepared for oral exam questions on emergency responses such as man-overboard (Williamson turn), grounding, and fire boundaries.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the GMA Officer of the Watch (OOW) CoC?

The GMA Officer of the Watch (Deck) Certificate of Competency is a professional licensing qualification issued by the Ghana Maritime Authority under STCW Regulation II/1. It qualifies you to act as a bridge watchkeeping officer on merchant vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more on unlimited voyages.

Where does the training for this exam take place?

All approved training and upgrading courses for Ghanaian seafarers are primarily conducted at the Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Accra, which is the sole GMA-approved Maritime Education and Training Institution for unlimited deck officer certification.

What are the sea-service requirements for the OOW Deck CoC?

Candidates must have either: (1) at least 12 months of approved seagoing service as part of an approved training programme that includes onboard training recorded in a Cadet Record Book; or (2) at least 36 months of approved seagoing service in the deck department.

What is the structure of the GMA exam?

The examination consists of multiple written papers covering marine navigation, ship stability, cargo work, meteorology, and seamanship/COLREGs. After passing the written exams, candidates must pass a comprehensive oral examination conducted by GMA examiners to assess practical watchkeeping competency.

What is the passing score for the written examinations?

The passing score for written examinations is typically 70%. In particular, critical safety-related sections like COLREGs require high precision, and oral exams require demonstrating absolute competence in emergency and watchkeeping situations.

How much does the GMA CoC exam cost?

The examination and assessment fee is approximately $150 USD (or equivalent in Ghana Cedis). This does not include tuition or training course fees at the Regional Maritime University or auxiliary medical fitness certification fees.

How long is the GMA OOW CoC valid for?

The Certificate of Competency is valid for five years from the date of issue. To revalidate the certificate, seafarers must demonstrate continued professional competence (sea service or refresher training) and possess a valid medical fitness certificate.