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ΚΕΣΕΝ Μηχανικών Promotional Examinations — Chief/Second Engineer Certificate of Competency (Μηχανικός Α΄ & Β΄ τάξης Ε.Ν., Greece)

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Key Facts: ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων Exam

STCW II/2

Convention Standard

IMO STCW 1978/2010

50 / 100

Pass Mark Per Subject

Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ άρθρα 25-26

€0

Tuition / Exam Fee

Υ.ΝΑ.Ν.Π. Public Training

π.δ. 141/2014

Statutory Authority

ΦΕΚ Α΄ 232/2014

609 / 98 hrs

Cycle Hours (Class B / A)

Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ άρθρο 12

Greek (el)

Official Exam Language

Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ άρθρο 21

Written Paper

Official Assessment Format

Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ άρθρο 24

The ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων promotional examinations are state-mandated qualifying assessments administered by ΚΕΣΕΝ under the Hellenic Coast Guard and Ministry of Maritime Affairs (Υ.ΝΑ.Ν.Π.) pursuant to Presidential Decree 141/2014 and STCW Regulation II/2. Deck officers complete modular cycles for Πλοίαρχος Β΄ (3 cycles, 609 hours) and Πλοίαρχος Α΄ (1 cycle, 98 hours), evaluated through written subject examinations with a 50/100 passing threshold per subject. Tuition is free and students receive a statutory training allowance. Core syllabus domains comprise navigation and passage planning, ship stability and trim, cargo handling, and maritime law. This bank provides 100 English-language MCQ study-adaptation questions with complete rationales and worked calculations.

Sample ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων Practice Questions

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1A vessel steers a gyro course of 084° with a gyro error of 2° High. The magnetic compass reads 089° when heading on this course. If the local magnetic variation from the chart is 4° West, what is the magnetic compass deviation on this heading?

A.3° East

B.3° West

C.1° West

D.1° East

Explanation: Work in the standard direction Compass → Magnetic → True, adding easterly corrections and subtracting westerly ones: True = Compass + Deviation + Variation. A gyro error of 2° High is subtracted, so True course = 084° − 2° = 082°. Variation is 4° West, so it enters as −4°. Substituting: 082° = 089° + Deviation − 4°, which gives Deviation = −3°, i.e. 3° West. This agrees with the mnemonic 'Compass Best, Error West': the compass reads 089°, higher than the magnetic course of 086°, so the deviation must be westerly.

2An observer in DR position Lat 32°15.0' N, Long 028°40.0' E observes a celestial body. After applying all corrections, the true altitude (Ho) is 48°24.6'. The sight reduction calculation yields a computed altitude (Hc) of 48°18.2' and an azimuth (Zn) of 135°. What is the intercept distance and direction?

A.6.4 nautical miles Away from 135°

B.12.8 nautical miles Towards 135°

C.6.4 nautical miles Towards 135°

D.3.2 nautical miles Away from 135°

Explanation: Under the Marcq St Hilaire intercept method the intercept is the difference between observed and computed altitude: Ho − Hc = 48°24.6' − 48°18.2' = 6.4', and one minute of altitude equals one nautical mile, so the intercept is 6.4 nm. The direction follows the rule 'Ho More, Toward': because Ho is greater than Hc the observer is closer to the body's geographical position than the DR assumed, so the intercept is laid off 6.4 nm Towards the azimuth of 135°.

3At meridian passage, the Sun is observed bearing South with a true altitude (Ho) of 64°18.0'. The Sun's declination at that instant is 18°22.0' N. What is the observer's latitude?

A.44°04.0' N

B.07°36.0' N

C.25°42.0' N

D.51°40.0' N

Explanation: At meridian passage the zenith distance is ZX = 90° − Ho = 90°00.0' − 64°18.0' = 25°42.0'. Because the Sun bears South, the observer's zenith lies North of the body, so the zenith distance is named North. Zenith distance and declination have the same name, so they are added: Latitude = 25°42.0' N + 18°22.0' N = 44°04.0' N.

4A vessel's bridge height of eye is 16 metres above sea level. An approaching lighthouse has a charted focal height of 49 metres. Assuming the nominal (luminous) range exceeds the geographic range, at what approximate geographic distance can the bridge watchkeeper expect the light to be first raised on the horizon?

A.14.6 nautical miles

B.28.5 nautical miles

C.31.4 nautical miles

D.22.9 nautical miles

Explanation: Geographic range is the sum of the two horizon distances: D = 2.08 × (√H + √h) with heights in metres. Here D = 2.08 × (√49 + √16) = 2.08 × (7 + 4) = 2.08 × 11 ≈ 22.9 nautical miles. Different almanacs use marginally different coefficients (roughly 2.03 to 2.10) to account for terrestrial refraction, but all give an answer close to 23 nm for this pair of heights.

5A vessel wishes to make good a course of 270° True through an area with a tidal stream setting 090° True at 3.0 knots. The vessel's speed through the water is 12.0 knots. A northerly wind causes an estimated 4° of leeway. What True Course should the vessel steer through the water?

A.270° True

B.266° True

C.274° True

D.280° True

Explanation: The stream sets 090° True, exactly opposite the intended ground track of 270° True. A current directly on the bow reduces speed over the ground (12.0 − 3.0 = 9.0 knots) but produces no drift angle, so no course correction is needed for the tide. The northerly wind, however, pushes the vessel bodily to the south, so the head must be laid 4° into the wind to hold the track. From a westerly heading of 270°, turning towards north means increasing the heading, giving 270° + 4° = 274° True.

6When configuring an Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) under IMO Resolution MSC.232(82), how should the navigator set the 'Safety Depth' for a vessel with a maximum static draught of 11.2 metres, anticipated squat of 0.8 metres in shallow water, and a company-mandated minimum under-keel clearance (UKC) of 1.5 metres, with negligible swell and no negative tidal surge?

A.13.5 metres

B.12.0 metres

C.11.2 metres

D.14.5 metres

Explanation: Safety Depth controls how individual soundings are rendered: values equal to or shallower than the setting are shown in bold black, deeper soundings in grey. It is built up from static draught plus every dynamic and policy allowance: 11.2 m draught + 0.8 m squat + 1.5 m required UKC = 13.5 m, with no tidal height credited because the question states no negative surge and conservative practice takes zero tide.

7Under IMO Resolution A.893(21) (Guidelines for Voyage Planning), what are the four distinct and sequential stages of passage planning that a master must ensure are completed and documented?

A.Briefing, Charting, Waypoint Setting, and Debriefing

B.Appraisal, Planning, Execution, and Monitoring

C.Preparation, Navigation, Berthing, and Reporting

D.Route Assessment, Pilotage Coordination, Watchkeeping, and Voyage Log Analysis

Explanation: IMO Resolution A.893(21) and STCW Code Chapter VIII set out four formal stages: Appraisal (gathering all relevant information about the ship, route, and hazards), Planning (preparing the detailed berth-to-berth plan with courses, margins, and no-go areas), Execution (briefing the bridge team and taking the plan into use, adjusting for tide, weather, and ETA), and Monitoring (continuously checking the vessel's position and progress against the plan using independent methods).

8On an ARPA radar display in relative motion mode, your vessel is on heading 000° at 15 knots. A tracked target is observed bearing 045° at a range of 8.0 nautical miles. After 12 minutes, the target bears 045° at a range of 5.0 nautical miles. What does this relative track directly indicate regarding collision risk?

A.The target will safely pass 3.0 nautical miles ahead of your vessel.

B.The target is overtaking your vessel and will cross your stern in 12 minutes.

C.The target is stationary and CPA will occur when your vessel has run a further 5.0 nautical miles.

D.The target is on a collision course with a Closest Point of Approach (CPA) of 0.0 nautical miles and a Time to CPA (TCPA) of 20 minutes from the second observation.

Explanation: The bearing stays constant at 045° while the range closes steadily from 8.0 to 5.0 nm, so the relative motion line runs straight through the centre of the display, giving a CPA of 0.0 nm — the classic constant-bearing, decreasing-range collision indication of COLREGs Rule 7(d)(i). Relative speed of approach is 3.0 nm in 12 minutes = 3.0 / 0.2 h = 15 knots, so the remaining 5.0 nm closes in (5.0 / 15) × 60 = 20 minutes from the second observation.

9According to the IALA Maritime Buoyage System for Region A (which includes Greece and European waters), what are the characteristics of a South Cardinal Mark?

A.Yellow over black horizontal bands, two black cones pointing downwards, and a white light Q(6) + LFl 15s or VQ(6) + LFl 10s.

B.Black over yellow horizontal bands, two black cones pointing upwards, and a continuous quick white flashing light.

C.Black with a single horizontal red band, two black spheres as a topmark, and a white light Fl(2).

D.A pillar with red and white vertical stripes, a single red sphere topmark, and an isophase or occulting white light.

Explanation: A South Cardinal Mark is coloured yellow above and black below, carries a topmark of two black cones pointing downwards (both cones point towards the black band), and shows a distinctive rhythm of six quick flashes followed immediately by one long flash every 15 seconds, or six very quick flashes plus one long flash every 10 seconds. The group of six corresponds to six o'clock on a clock face, and the long flash distinguishes it from the West mark's group of nine.

10A vessel is approaching a port where predicted High Water is 4.8 metres and Low Water is 1.2 metres. The duration of rise is 6 hours. Using the Rule of Twelfths, what is the approximate rise in water height above Low Water 3 hours after Low Water?

A.0.9 metres

B.2.7 metres

C.1.8 metres

D.3.6 metres

Explanation: Tidal range = High Water − Low Water = 4.8 − 1.2 = 3.6 metres. Under the Rule of Twelfths the range is taken up in successive hours as 1/12, 2/12, 3/12, 3/12, 2/12, 1/12. After three hours the cumulative rise is (1 + 2 + 3)/12 = 6/12, i.e. half the range: 0.5 × 3.6 = 1.8 metres. The height of tide at that moment is therefore 1.2 + 1.8 = 3.0 metres.

About the ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων Exam

The Greek Merchant Marine Captain Rank Upgrade Examinations are the statutory promotional assessments administered by the Centre for Further Training of Merchant Marine Officers (ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων / Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης Στελεχών Εμπορικού Ναυτικού) under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy (Υ.ΝΑ.Ν.Π.) and Presidential Decree 141/2014 (as amended by π.δ. 54/2016, π.δ. 111/2018, and π.δ. 42/2023). Following qualifying seagoing service, deck officers attend promotional educational cycles for Class B (Πλοίαρχος Β΄ τάξης / Chief Mate, 3 cycles totalling 609 hours) and Class A (Πλοίαρχος Α΄ τάξης / Master Mariner, 1 cycle of 98 hours) governed by the KESEN Study Regulation (Υ.Α. 2231.3-1/78555/2024, ΦΕΚ Β΄ 6215/2024 as amended by ΦΕΚ Β΄ 1058/2026). Official examinations are conducted in Greek on stamped paper, incorporating multiple-choice questions, essay problems, and calculations. This practice bank is an independent English-language multiple-choice study adaptation referencing Greek statutory and nautical terms alongside IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP); it is not an official translation, examination simulator, or substitute for the written papers.

Exam sponsor: ΚΕΣΕΝ/Πλοιάρχων (Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης Στελεχών Εμπορικού Ναυτικού) / Υπουργείο Ναυτιλίας και Νησιωτικής Πολιτικής (Υ.ΝΑ.Ν.Π.) / Αρχηγείο Λ.Σ.-ΕΛ.ΑΚΤ.. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

One written paper per subject at the end of each promotional cycle, sat on stamped, name-masked paper (κόλλα αναφοράς). Πλοίαρχοι Α΄ τάξης attend 1 cycle of 98 hours (17 working days: 14 teaching + 3 examination) in Laws and Regulations, Elements of Ship and Personnel Management, and Maritime English. Πλοίαρχοι Β΄ τάξης complete 3 cycles of 203 hours each (609 hours over 101 working days) covering, in the first cycle, Passage Planning and Execution of Navigation, COLREGs and Watchkeeping, Meteorology, Emergencies, and Maritime English; in the second, Naval Architecture, Loading, Stability, and Risk Assessment; and in the third, Ship Handling, Engines and Auxiliary Machinery, International Maritime Law, Management and Training, and Shipping Economics. Papers combine multiple-choice items, extended written topics, and numerical navigation and stability calculations.

Time Limit

1.5 to 3 hours per written subject examination (extendable by up to 30 minutes)

Passing Score

50 out of 100 per subject (failing any subject fails the cycle; mean grades: 50–69 Καλή, 70–89 Πολύ Καλή, 90–100 Άριστη)

Exam / Certification Fees

None (tuition-free public education under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs; attendees receive a statutory training allowance/επιδότηση during compulsory attendance under άρθρο 31 of Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ)

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Official sources

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

23%

Navigation, Watchkeeping, Meteorology & Emergencies (Σχεδιασμός Πλου, COLREG-Τήρηση Φυλακής, Μετεωρολογία, Έκτακτες Ανάγκες)

161 of the 707 compulsory teaching hours across the Πλοίαρχος Β΄ and Α΄ cycles: passage planning and execution, COLREGs and watchkeeping, meteorology, and emergencies, covering terrestrial and celestial navigation, chart work, ECDIS, radar and ARPA, tides, and search and rescue.

18%

Ship Stability, Naval Architecture & Risk Assessment (Ευστάθεια, Ναυπηγία, Αξιολόγηση Κινδύνου)

130 teaching hours in the Πλοίαρχος Β΄ second cycle: transverse stability, free surface correction, list and angle of loll, trim and MCTC, Simpson's rules, draught surveys, GZ curves, hull structure and stresses, the Intact Stability Code, and damage stability.

19%

Cargo Operations & Ship Handling (Φορτώσεις, Χειρισμοί Πλοίου)

131 teaching hours: solid bulk cargoes under the IMSBC Code including liquefaction, the International Grain Code, IMDG segregation, cargo securing under the CSS Code, tanker and gas carrier operations, and manoeuvring, anchoring, and heavy weather handling.

29%

Maritime Law, Ship Management, Shipping Economics & Machinery (Διεθνές Ναυτικό Δίκαιο, Διοίκηση-Εκπαίδευση, Ναυτιλιακή Οικονομία, Μηχανές, Νόμοι και Κανονισμοί)

209 teaching hours across the Πλοίαρχος Β΄ third cycle and the whole Πλοίαρχος Α΄ cycle: international maritime law, ship and personnel management, shipping economics, engines and auxiliary machinery, SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC 2006, the ISM and ISPS Codes, salvage and general average, charter parties, and Greek maritime law including π.δ. 141/2014 and the ΚΔΝΔ.

11%

Maritime English (Ναυτικά Αγγλικά)

76 teaching hours examined as a subject in its own right in both streams, reflecting the regulation's requirement that every technical and nautical term be taught with its English equivalent per the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases. This English-language bank reinforces that terminology in context but does not reproduce the official Ναυτικά Αγγλικά paper.

Preparing for the ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 50 out of 100 per subject (failing any subject fails the cycle; mean grades: 50–69 Καλή, 70–89 Πολύ Καλή, 90–100 Άριστη)
Assessment: One written paper per subject at the end of each promotional cycle, sat on stamped, name-masked paper (κόλλα αναφοράς). Πλοίαρχοι Α΄ τάξης attend 1 cycle of 98 hours (17 working days: 14 teaching + 3 examination) in Laws and Regulations, Elements of Ship and Personnel Management, and Maritime English. Πλοίαρχοι Β΄ τάξης complete 3 cycles of 203 hours each (609 hours over 101 working days) covering, in the first cycle, Passage Planning and Execution of Navigation, COLREGs and Watchkeeping, Meteorology, Emergencies, and Maritime English; in the second, Naval Architecture, Loading, Stability, and Risk Assessment; and in the third, Ship Handling, Engines and Auxiliary Machinery, International Maritime Law, Management and Training, and Shipping Economics. Papers combine multiple-choice items, extended written topics, and numerical navigation and stability calculations.
Time limit: 1.5 to 3 hours per written subject examination (extendable by up to 30 minutes)
Exam / certification fees: None (tuition-free public education under the Ministry of Maritime Affairs; attendees receive a statutory training allowance/επιδότηση during compulsory attendance under άρθρο 31 of Κ.Σ./ΚΕΣΕΝ) Official sources

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ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων: Suggested Study Strategy

1Work through quantitative stability problems by hand: calculate KG, GM fluid, virtual loss of GM due to free surface effect, and angle of heel using Simpson's rules and hydrostatic tables.

2Distinguish between list (eccentric loading) and loll (negative initial GM with G above M): never ballast high tanks when resolving loll, and always fill the low side first.

3Master draft survey calculations: determine displacement using draft readings, apply quarter-mean draft (mean of means), and correct for water density and trim layer.

4Memorize COLREGs Rule 10 (Traffic Separation Schemes), Rule 19 (Restricted Visibility maneuvers), and all daylight shapes and night light configurations for vessels restricted in ability to maneuver, not under command, or towing.

5Know the statutory framework: Presidential Decree 141/2014 sea service gates (24 months for Class B, 36 months for Class A) and Greek Public Maritime Law (ΚΔΝΔ) provisions governing the Master's legal authority.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων examination?

The ΚΕΣΕΝ Πλοιάρχων examinations are the official statutory promotional assessments administered by the Centre for Further Training of Merchant Marine Officers (ΚΕΣΕΝ / Κέντρο Επιμόρφωσης Στελεχών Εμπορικού Ναυτικού) under the Greek Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy (Υ.ΝΑ.Ν.Π.) and Presidential Decree 141/2014. Successful completion of the relevant promotional cycles is mandatory for deck officers to obtain the Greek state Certificate of Competency (Αποδεικτικό Ναυτικής Ικανότητας) for Chief Mate (Πλοίαρχος Β΄ τάξης Ε.Ν., STCW II/2) and Master (Πλοίαρχος Α΄ τάξης Ε.Ν., STCW II/2).

What promotional classes are covered by ΚΕΣΕΝ?

ΚΕΣΕΝ delivers promotional educational cycles exclusively for Class B (Β΄ τάξης - Chief Mate) and Class A (Α΄ τάξης - Master). Entry-level Class C (Γ΄ τάξης - Third Mate / OOW) diplomas are awarded directly upon graduation from the Merchant Marine Academies (ΑΕΝ Πλοιάρχων) and do not involve a ΚΕΣΕΝ promotional cycle.

What is the structure, duration, and passing score of the examinations?

Under the KESEN Study Regulation (Υ.Α. 2231.3-1/78555/2024, ΦΕΚ Β΄ 6215/2024 as amended by ΦΕΚ Β΄ 1058/2026), Πλοιάρχοι Α΄ attend 1 cycle of 98 teaching hours (17 working days: 14 teaching + 3 examination days), while Πλοιάρχοι Β΄ complete 3 cycles of 203 hours each (total 609 hours across 101 working days). Each subject paper lasts between 1.5 and 3 hours (extendable up to 30 minutes) on stamped paper (κόλλα αναφοράς). The passing score is 50 out of 100 per subject; failing even one subject fails the cycle.

Are there examination or tuition fees at ΚΕΣΕΝ?

No. ΚΕΣΕΝ is a tuition-free public maritime educational institution. Under άρθρο 31 of the Study Regulation, attending seafarers are actually paid a statutory training allowance (επιδότηση) during compulsory attendance, which is withheld only if absences exceed 10%.

What language is the official examination conducted in?

Official teaching and examinations are conducted in Greek (el). However, άρθρο 21 §4 of the regulation mandates that technical and nautical terminology be taught alongside standard English equivalents per IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). This question bank is an independent English-language multiple-choice study adaptation designed to reinforce theoretical knowledge and calculations; it does not simulate the official written paper format.