100+ Free MAJ OOW Deck Exam Practice Questions

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Sample MAJ OOW Deck Exam Practice Questions

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

1Two power-driven vessels are crossing so as to involve risk of collision. Under COLREGs Rule 15, which vessel is the give-way vessel?

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

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

C.The faster of the two vessels

D.The vessel that first sighted the other

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

2What lights must a vessel not under command exhibit at night under COLREGs Rule 27?

A.Two all-round red lights in a vertical line

B.Three all-round lights in a vertical line, red-white-red

C.Two all-round green lights in a vertical line

D.A single all-round red light

Explanation: A vessel not under command shows two all-round red lights in a vertical line (and, by day, two balls in a vertical line). When making way she also shows sidelights and a sternlight.

3A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre exhibits which all-round lights in a vertical line under Rule 27?

A.Red over green

B.Red, white, red

C.Green, white, green

D.White, red, white

Explanation: A vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre shows three all-round lights in a vertical line: the highest and lowest red and the middle white (red-white-red), with ball-diamond-ball shapes by day.

4In clear visibility a power-driven vessel intends to alter course to starboard. What sound signal should she make under Rule 34?

A.One short blast

B.Two short blasts

C.Three short blasts

D.One prolonged blast

Explanation: Under Rule 34, a power-driven vessel altering course to starboard in sight of another sounds one short blast; to port, two short blasts; operating astern propulsion, three short blasts.

5Under COLREGs Rule 13, when is a vessel deemed to be overtaking another?

A.When approaching from more than 22.5 degrees abaft the beam of the other vessel

B.When approaching head-on within half a point of dead ahead

C.When the other vessel is on her starboard bow

D.Whenever she is the faster vessel regardless of bearing

Explanation: Rule 13 defines overtaking as coming up on another vessel from a direction more than 22.5 degrees abaft her beam, that is, from a position where at night only her sternlight (not her sidelights) would be seen. The overtaking vessel must keep clear.

6Two power-driven vessels meet head-on with risk of collision. Under Rule 14, what action should each take?

A.Each alters course to starboard so they pass port to port

B.Each alters course to port so they pass starboard to starboard

C.The smaller vessel gives way to the larger

D.Both maintain course and speed and sound five short blasts

Explanation: Under Rule 14, when two power-driven vessels meet head-on, each shall alter her course to starboard so that each passes on the port side of the other (port-to-port passing).

7A stand-on vessel under Rule 17 finds the give-way vessel is not taking appropriate action. What is the correct progression of permitted actions?

A.She may take avoiding action, and when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone she must act

B.She must immediately stop her engines and anchor

C.She must alter to port to clear the give-way vessel

D.She must maintain course and speed until impact regardless of circumstances

Explanation: Rule 17 lets the stand-on vessel take action by her own manoeuvre as soon as it becomes apparent the give-way vessel is not acting; when collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel's action alone she shall take the best avoiding action. If forced to act, she should not alter to port for a vessel on her own port side.

8In restricted visibility, a power-driven vessel making way through the water sounds which fog signal under Rule 35?

A.One prolonged blast at intervals not exceeding two minutes

B.Two prolonged blasts at intervals not exceeding two minutes

C.One prolonged followed by two short blasts every two minutes

D.Rapid ringing of the bell for five seconds

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

9What does a vessel display by day to indicate she is constrained by her draught under Rule 28?

A.A black cylinder

B.A single black ball

C.Two black balls in a vertical line

D.A black diamond

Explanation: A vessel constrained by her draught may display three all-round red lights in a vertical line at night, and by day a black cylinder.

10Under COLREGs Rule 9, a vessel proceeding along a narrow channel or fairway shall keep where practicable to which side?

A.The outer limit on her starboard side

B.The outer limit on her port side

C.The exact centre of the channel

D.Whichever side has deeper water

Explanation: Rule 9 requires a vessel in a narrow channel or fairway to keep as near to the outer limit on her starboard side as is safe and practicable.

About the MAJ OOW Deck Exam Exam

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica Officer of the Watch (Deck) examination assesses candidates against STCW Regulation II/1 for the first officer-level deck certificate of competency. It tests the knowledge needed to keep a safe navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, covering navigation, COLREGs, watchkeeping, meteorology, stability, construction, cargo work, ship handling, passage planning and safety and survival.

Assessment

A series of written papers covering navigation and chartwork, stability and cargo, and signals/COLREGs, combined with a practical oral assessment, leading to the STCW Regulation II/1 Officer of the Watch (Deck) certificate of competency.

Time Limit

Each written paper is time-limited (commonly 2-3 hours per paper); the oral assessment is held separately.

Passing Score

MAJ written papers are typically marked to a pass standard of around 50-60% (commonly reported), with the signals/COLREGs paper often requiring a higher mark, and candidates must also pass the oral. Confirm the exact standard directly with MAJ.

Exam Fee

Examination and certificate of competency fees are set by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and revised periodically; confirm the current schedule with MAJ before applying. (Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ))

MAJ OOW Deck Exam Exam Content Outline

25%

Navigation and Chartwork

Position fixing, chartwork, tides, compass error, ECDIS, GPS, radar, ARPA and celestial basics.

18%

COLREGs and Rules of the Road

Steering and sailing rules, lights, shapes, sound signals and conduct in restricted visibility.

11%

Watchkeeping and STCW Standards

Lookout, bridge resource management, handover, hours of rest, ISM, pilotage and certification.

Navigation Aids and Electronic Systems

IALA buoyage, AIS, VDR, dead reckoning, dilution of precision and chart datum.

Meteorology

Isobars, fronts, Buys Ballot's law, the Beaufort scale and tropical revolving storms.

Ship Stability

Metacentric height, stiff and tender ships, free surface effect and angle of loll.

Ship Construction

Load lines, double bottoms, watertight bulkheads and hogging and sagging.

Cargo Work

Stowage factor, dunnage, cargo sweat, dangerous goods and liquefiable bulk cargoes.

Ship Handling and Manoeuvring

Transverse thrust, pivot point, squat, interaction and berthing in wind.

Passage Planning

Appraisal, planning, execution and monitoring, no-go areas, wheel-over and abort points.

Emergency Procedures

Man overboard, steering failure, grounding, fire discovery and the general emergency alarm.

Survival and Life-Saving

Drills, EPIRB, SART, immersion suits and free-fall lifeboats.

How to Pass the MAJ OOW Deck Exam Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: MAJ written papers are typically marked to a pass standard of around 50-60% (commonly reported), with the signals/COLREGs paper often requiring a higher mark, and candidates must also pass the oral. Confirm the exact standard directly with MAJ.
Assessment: A series of written papers covering navigation and chartwork, stability and cargo, and signals/COLREGs, combined with a practical oral assessment, leading to the STCW Regulation II/1 Officer of the Watch (Deck) certificate of competency.
Time limit: Each written paper is time-limited (commonly 2-3 hours per paper); the oral assessment is held separately.
Exam fee: Examination and certificate of competency fees are set by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica and revised periodically; confirm the current schedule with MAJ before applying.

Keys to Passing

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

MAJ OOW Deck Exam Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master the COLREGs cold: learn the steering and sailing rules, every light, shape and sound signal, and the conduct in restricted visibility, because the signals paper usually demands a higher pass mark.

2Practise full chartwork and navigation problems by hand, including position fixing, tides with the rule of twelfths, compass error and parallel indexing, so you are fast and accurate under exam time pressure.

3Do not neglect the breadth subjects: stability, construction, cargo, meteorology, passage planning and safety and survival all appear, and confident answers on these are easy marks in both the written papers and the oral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who issues the OOW (Deck) certificate and what does it authorise?

The Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) issues the Officer of the Watch (Deck) certificate under STCW Regulation II/1. It authorises the holder to serve as officer in charge of a navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, and is the first officer-level deck certificate of competency.

What subjects does the MAJ OOW (Deck) exam cover?

The examination covers navigation and chartwork, COLREGs and the rules of the road, watchkeeping and STCW standards, meteorology, ship stability and construction, cargo work, ship handling, passage planning, and safety and survival including fire-fighting, GMDSS basics and life-saving appliances.

How is the MAJ OOW (Deck) examination structured?

It combines several time-limited written papers (covering navigation, chartwork, stability, cargo and signals/COLREGs) with a practical oral assessment. The signals and COLREGs paper usually requires a higher pass mark because of its safety importance. Confirm the exact format and pass standards with MAJ.

What is the passing standard for the MAJ deck exam?

MAJ written papers are commonly marked to a pass standard of around 50-60%, with the COLREGs/signals paper typically demanding a higher mark, and candidates must also pass the oral assessment. The Maritime Authority of Jamaica sets the definitive standards, so always confirm them directly before sitting.