Free Practice Questions for Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Exam Review

Key Facts: Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination Exam

STCW II/2

Governing International Standard

IMO STCW Convention and Code, Table A-II/2

12 months

Validity of the Examination Pass Record

PMO Seafarer Certification FAQ

5 years

Certificate of Competency Validity

PMO Seafarer Certification FAQ

400,000 IRR

PMO Examination Registration Tariff (Unlimited Voyages)

PMO Seafarer Certification Service Page

18 months

Minimum OOW Sea Service for Chief Officer

PMO Approved Deck Course Entry Requirements

100

Independent Practice Questions

OpenExamPrep Practice Bank

3 Functions

Core STCW Competency Divisions

STCW Code Table A-II/2

PMO certifies deck officers under STCW Regulation II/2 through modular written subject papers followed by an oral examination, run nationwide at port seafarer-affairs examination centres and registered through the PMO seafarers' portal. Chief Officer candidates need at least 18 months as officer of the watch on ships of 500 GT or more on unlimited voyages; Master candidates need at least 36 months after their first CoC including at least 6 months as Chief Officer. The certificate is valid 5 years, and the examination pass record must be used to apply for it within 12 months. PMO does not publish an item count, paper duration, or pass mark. These 100 independent practice questions cover all three management-level functions with worked nautical calculations.

Sample Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 34 and IMO Guidelines for Voyage Planning (Resolution A.893(21)), what are the four mandatory, sequential phases of passage planning that a Chief Mate must ensure are executed prior to departure?

A.Appraisal, Planning, Execution, and Monitoring

B.Briefing, Routing, Conning, and Debriefing

C.Drafting, Calculation, Steerage, and Logging

D.Inspection, Verification, Navigation, and Reporting

Explanation: IMO Resolution A.893(21) and SOLAS Regulation V/34 establish the four distinct, consecutive phases of passage planning: Appraisal (gathering all relevant nautical and environmental data), Planning (preparing the detailed berth-to-berth plan), Execution (briefing the bridge team and executing the plan), and Monitoring (continuously tracking the vessel's progress against the planned track).

2A vessel is planning an ocean crossing between two positions on approximately the same latitude in the Northern Hemisphere. Comparing a Great Circle track with a Rhumb Line track, which statement correctly describes the navigational geometry?

A.The Great Circle track appears as a straight line on a Mercator chart and maintains a constant true course throughout.

B.The Great Circle track represents the shortest distance over the Earth's spherical surface, curving toward the pole and requiring continuous course adjustments.

C.The Rhumb Line track always intersects the vertex of the voyage and provides a shorter navigational distance than the Great Circle.

D.The Great Circle track maintains a constant compass azimuth, making steering simpler in high latitudes compared to a Rhumb Line.

Explanation: A Great Circle is the intersection of the sphere with a plane passing through the Earth's center, representing the shortest surface distance between two points. On a standard Mercator projection, a Great Circle curves toward the geographic pole, and its true course changes continuously as it crosses successive meridians, unlike a Rhumb Line which crosses all meridians at the same constant angle.

3A vessel is approaching an estuarine port with a semidiurnal tide. High Water (HW) is 4.80 meters at 14:00 hours, and Low Water (LW) is 1.20 meters at 20:12 hours (duration of fall = 6 hours 12 minutes). Using the Rule of Twelfths approximation, what is the estimated height of tide at 16:04 hours (approximately 2 hours after High Water)?

A.4.20 meters

B.3.90 meters

C.3.60 meters

D.4.50 meters

Explanation: The tidal range is HW - LW = 4.80 m - 1.20 m = 3.60 m. Under the Rule of Twelfths, during the first hour after HW the tide falls by 1/12 of the range (3.60 / 12 = 0.30 m). During the second hour, it falls by an additional 2/12 (0.60 m). The cumulative fall after 2 hours is 3/12 of the range (0.30 m + 0.60 m = 0.90 m). Therefore, the height of tide at 16:04 hours is 4.80 m - 0.90 m = 3.90 m.

4A vessel wishes to make good a True Course of 090° at an engine speed of 12 knots. The tidal stream is setting 180° True at a rate of 3.0 knots. Disregarding leeway, what Course to Steer (True) must the Officer of the Watch order to counter the current?

A.076° True

B.104° True

C.060° True

D.120° True

Explanation: Constructing the vector triangle: Vector 1 is the water track (Course to Steer at 12 knots); Vector 2 is the current (setting 180° at 3 knots); the resultant is the ground track (Course Made Good 090°). In the right-angled triangle formed by the current perpendicular to the track: sin(theta) = Current Speed / Engine Speed = 3.0 / 12.0 = 0.25. Therefore, theta = arcsin(0.25) ≈ 14.5° ≈ 14°. Since the current sets South (180°), the ship must steer into the current (North of East): 090° - 14° = 076° True.

5A loaded bulk carrier with a block coefficient (Cb) of 0.82 is navigating an open, shallow water fairway at a speed of 10 knots. Using Barrass's empirical formula for open water (Squat = Cb * V^2 / 100 in meters), what is the estimated maximum bodily squat?

A.0.82 meters

B.1.64 meters

C.0.41 meters

D.1.25 meters

Explanation: Barrass's formula for maximum squat in open shallow water is Squat = (Cb * V^2) / 100. Substituting the values: Squat = (0.82 * 10^2) / 100 = (0.82 * 100) / 100 = 0.82 meters. In a confined canal or narrow channel, the formula uses a divisor of 50, which would double the squat to 1.64 meters.

6When formulating a company Under-Keel Clearance (UKC) policy for port arrival at management level, which combination of components must be deducted from the charted depth plus height of tide to establish net UKC?

A.Static draft, squat, vessel motions (roll/pitch/heave), and water density allowance

B.Static draft, air draft, wind drift, and propeller slip

C.Deepest draft, fuel consumption, anchor cable scope, and radar blind sector

D.Summer deadweight draft, trim by the stern, and metacentric height

Explanation: Net Under-Keel Clearance (UKC) is the remaining water depth beneath the lowest point of the hull after accounting for: charted depth plus tidal height, minus static draft, maximum squat at transit speed, dynamic motion allowance (heave, pitch, roll from swell), environmental water density changes (freshwater sinkage), and a safety margin for chart sounding inaccuracies.

7Under COLREG Rule 10 (Traffic Separation Schemes), what is the mandatory requirement for a vessel obliged to cross a traffic lane?

A.She shall cross on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

B.She shall cross on a ground track as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.

C.She shall cross at an angle of 45 degrees to facilitate visual observation of oncoming ships.

D.She shall cross only during daylight hours after obtaining written permission from the coastal VTS.

Explanation: COLREG Rule 10(c) explicitly requires that a vessel obliged to cross a traffic lane 'shall do so on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow.' Specifying heading rather than track ensures that the vessel presents its full aspect to traffic within the lane, reducing ambiguity regardless of current or leeway.

8An inshore traffic zone (ITZ) is the area between the landward boundary of a traffic separation scheme and the adjacent coast, such as the ITZ along the Musandam Peninsula at the Strait of Hormuz. Under COLREG Rule 10(d), which vessels may use it?

A.Any vessel may use the inshore traffic zone at any time, because Rule 10 governs conduct only inside the traffic lanes themselves.

B.Only vessels of less than 20 metres in length and vessels engaged in fishing may ever use it; sailing vessels and vessels bound for a berth inside the zone must use the traffic lane.

C.Vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use it, and any other vessel may use it when en route to or from a port, offshore installation, pilot station or other place within the zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

D.Only deep-draught vessels and vessels constrained by their draught may use it, so that they are kept clear of the separation zone.

Explanation: Rule 10(d)(i) provides that a vessel shall not normally use an inshore traffic zone when she can safely use the appropriate traffic lane within the adjacent traffic separation scheme, but that vessels of less than 20 metres in length, sailing vessels and vessels engaged in fishing may use the inshore traffic zone. Rule 10(d)(ii) then adds that, notwithstanding that restriction, a vessel may use an inshore traffic zone when en route to or from a port, offshore installation or structure, pilot station or any other place situated within the zone, or to avoid immediate danger.

9A standard magnetic compass reads a heading of 245°. The compass deviation table indicates 3° West deviation on this heading. The nautical chart shows a magnetic variation of 2° East. What is the vessel's True Heading?

A.244° True

B.246° True

C.250° True

D.240° True

Explanation: Using the standard conversion formula: Compass to True (C + D = M, M + V = T). Compass Heading = 245°. Deviation = 3° West (-3°), so Magnetic Heading = 245° - 3° = 242°. Variation = 2° East (+2°), so True Heading = 242° + 2° = 244° True. Alternatively, Total Compass Error = Deviation + Variation = -3° + 2° = -1° (1° West). True = Compass - Error = 245° - 1° = 244° True.

10A vessel is on a steady heading and observes two charted beacons in transit (leading line). The chart indicates the transit line bears 086° True. The gyro repeater reading of the transit is 088°. What is the gyro compass error and the gyro correction to be applied to all gyro courses?

A.Gyro Error is 2° High (2° West); true courses are 2° lower than gyro readings.

B.Gyro Error is 2° Low (2° East); true courses are 2° higher than gyro readings.

C.Gyro Error is zero because the transit bearing compensates for repeater misalignment.

D.Gyro Error is 4° West, requiring a 4° addition to all gyro courses.

Explanation: Gyro error = Gyro reading - True bearing. Here, Gyro (088°) - True (086°) = +2° (Gyro is 2° High / 2° West). Remembering the rule 'Gyro is High, Error is West, True is Less': to convert any gyro course or bearing to true, one must subtract 2° (True = Gyro - 2°).

About the Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination Exam

The Iran Deck Officer Certificate of Competency Examination is the statutory licensing assessment administered by the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran (PMO / سازمان بنادر و دریانوردی) for senior deck officers seeking Chief Officer or Master certification under STCW Regulation II/2 for unlimited voyages. PMO sets modular written subject papers and an oral examination at its port seafarer-affairs examination centres, covering advanced voyage planning, electronic and celestial navigation, cargo stowage and stability, ship construction and damage control, the international maritime conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC), and emergency command. This is an independent English-language multiple-choice study adaptation by OpenExamPrep for the knowledge and judgement the examination tests; it is not an official PMO paper, a translation of one, or a simulation of the written papers or the oral board.

Exam sponsor: Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran (PMO) — Directorate General of Seafarers Affairs. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Modular written subject papers across the STCW Code Table A-II/2 management-level functions, followed by an oral examination before PMO examiners; PMO has run the orals online since 2020.

Time Limit

Not published by PMO. Each written subject paper is sat separately on the PMO examination calendar, with the oral examination scheduled after the written papers.

Passing Score

Not published by PMO. All required written subject papers must be passed before the oral examination, and the resulting pass record (کارنامه قبولی) is valid for 12 months for certificate issuance.

Exam / Certification Fees

PMO published tariff: 400,000 IRR per examination registration for unlimited-voyage ranks (300,000 IRR for limited-voyage ranks), plus separate certificate-issuance fees. Confirm current tariffs with PMO.

Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

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.

45% practice weight

Navigation at the Management Level

Passage planning, ocean routing, celestial sight reduction, gyro and magnetic compass error, ARPA vector analysis, ECDIS safety settings, COLREGs, IALA System A, meteorology, and IAMSAR emergency coordination.

25% practice weight

Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Management Level

Stowage planning, draft survey calculations, dangerous goods segregation under the IMDG Code, solid bulk liquefaction, grain stability criteria, and tanker inert gas systems.

30% practice weight

Ship Operation, Stability, and Maritime Law

Intact and damage stability, free surface effects, angle of loll, hull stresses, drydocking, SOLAS/MARPOL compliance, MLC 2006, ISM/ISPS codes, and PMO statutory obligations.

Preparing for the Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Not published by PMO. All required written subject papers must be passed before the oral examination, and the resulting pass record (کارنامه قبولی) is valid for 12 months for certificate issuance.
Assessment: Modular written subject papers across the STCW Code Table A-II/2 management-level functions, followed by an oral examination before PMO examiners; PMO has run the orals online since 2020.
Time limit: Not published by PMO. Each written subject paper is sat separately on the PMO examination calendar, with the oral examination scheduled after the written papers.
Exam / certification fees: PMO published tariff: 400,000 IRR per examination registration for unlimited-voyage ranks (300,000 IRR for limited-voyage ranks), plus separate certificate-issuance fees. Confirm current tariffs with PMO. Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

Work through all 100 available questions
Review every answer and explanation
Track weak areas and revisit them
Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

Iran Deck Officer (STCW II/2) Certificate of Competency Examination: Suggested Study Strategy

1Dedicate consistent practice to worked calculation problems: compass error, meridional altitude, tidal predictions, draft survey corrections, and transverse stability shifts.

2Thoroughly memorize COLREGs steering and sailing rules (Rules 11 to 19) and sound signals in restricted visibility (Rule 35), as these are heavily tested in both written and oral formats.

3Understand the practical interpretation of stability curves (GZ curves), including initial GM, angle of maximum GZ, range of stability, and dynamic stability criteria.

4Pay careful attention to the IMDG Code segregation table and dangerous goods classes, as hazardous cargo handling is a primary responsibility for Chief Mates.

5Familiarize yourself with MARPOL Special Area discharge limits, particularly Annex I requirements applicable in the Persian Gulf and Sea of Oman.

6Practice explaining bridge decision scenarios clearly and concisely, simulating the situational judgment required during the PMO oral board examination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who administers the Deck Officer CoC examination in Iran?

The examination is administered by the Ports and Maritime Organization of Iran (PMO / سازمان بنادر و دریانوردی) under the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development, through its Directorate General of Seafarers Affairs. Candidates register on the PMO seafarers' portal and choose the port at which they sit.

What qualifications are covered under the STCW II/2 Deck Officer examination?

STCW Regulation II/2 governs management-level deck qualifications — Chief Mate/Chief Officer (افسر اول) and Master (فرمانده). In the Iranian system the unlimited-voyage grades are set for ships of 3,000 GT or more.

What is the examination format?

PMO sets modular written subject papers for the grade applied for — its published rank requirement sheets list papers such as navigation, cargo handling, ship stability and construction, meteorology, and business and law — followed by an oral examination before PMO examiners. PMO has run these examinations nationwide, with online orals, since 2020.

Does PMO publish a pass mark, item count, or paper duration?

No. PMO publishes the examination calendar, the required subject papers per grade, and the tariff, but not a pass mark, a fixed number of items per paper, or a time limit. All required written papers must be passed before the oral examination.

How long does an examination pass remain usable?

PMO's seafarer certification FAQ states that the pass record (کارنامه قبولی, covering the written and oral examinations) is valid for one year: the seafarer has 12 months to apply for issue of the competency or proficiency certificate.

How long is the certificate valid and how is it revalidated?

A PMO certificate of competency or proficiency is valid for 5 years. Under STCW Regulation I/11 and PMO practice, a holder who has not completed at least one year of sea service during the previous five years must sit a revalidation oral examination (آزمون شفاهی تمدیدی).

What languages does the examination use?

PMO administers registration, directives, and syllabuses in Persian, and Iranian maritime-industry sources describe the deck competency papers as being set in English, the international maritime working language; certificates of competency are issued in Persian and English. Confirm the language of your paper with your PMO examination centre.

Is this practice question bank an official PMO paper or simulation?

No. It is an independent English-language multiple-choice study adaptation by OpenExamPrep covering the theory, nautical calculations, and international maritime regulations the examination tests. It is not an official PMO paper, a translation of one, or a simulation of the written papers or oral board, and it cannot substitute for the oral examination.

What prerequisite sea time is required before sitting the exam?

For Chief Officer on ships of 3,000 GT or more on unlimited voyages, at least 18 months of approved sea service as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more. For Master, at least 36 months of sea service after the first certificate of competency, of which at least 6 months must be as Chief Officer on ships of 3,000 GT or more, with a minimum age of 25.