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Key Facts: Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner) Exam

STCW II/2

International Standard

IMO STCW Convention

Unlimited

Ship Size and Trade Area

Kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 28

Grade E

Lowest Pass on the A–F Scale

Norwegian fagskoler and universities

NOK 1,059

Certificate Issuance Fee

Sjøfartsdirektoratet fee regulation

Up to 5 years

Certificate Validity

Kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 19

36 months

Officer-of-the-Watch Seatime (24 with 12 as chief mate)

Kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 28

Sjøfartsdirektoratet issues Dekksoffiser klasse 1 (STCW II/2, master on ships of any size) to candidates who passed the management-level A-II/2 exams at an approved school and have the required seatime: 36 months as officer of the watch on ships over 500 GT, or 24 months including 12 as chief mate. This independent English-language multiple-choice practice by OpenExamPrep covers celestial navigation, stability, ship handling, emergency command, and Norwegian maritime law.

Sample Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner) Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner) exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1In ocean celestial navigation using the Marcq Saint-Hilaire intercept method, what does the calculated intercept represent?
A.The distance along the azimuth between the assumed position and the position line
B.The exact latitude and longitude of the vessel at the time of the sight
C.The gyro error found by comparing the observed bearing of the body with its azimuth
D.The total of the refraction, dip and index corrections applied at low altitude
Explanation: In the Marcq Saint-Hilaire method the intercept is the difference between the true (observed) altitude Ho and the altitude Hc calculated for the assumed position. One minute of arc equals one nautical mile, so it is measured from the assumed position along the azimuth, toward the body if Ho is greater than Hc and away if it is smaller, and the position line is drawn at right angles to the azimuth.
2At local noon the Sun is on the meridian bearing due south. The true altitude (Ho) is 52°14.0', and the Sun's declination is 18°22.0' N. What is the vessel's latitude?
A.56°08.0' N
B.70°36.0' N
C.33°52.0' N
D.19°24.0' N
Explanation: Zenith distance = 90° − Ho = 90°00.0' − 52°14.0' = 37°46.0'. With the Sun bearing south, the observer is north of it, so the zenith distance is named north. Declination is also north, so latitude = 37°46.0' + 18°22.0' = 56°08.0' N.
3When checking a marine sextant for index error using the sea horizon, the navigator sets the micrometer drum to 0°00.0' and observes that the reflected horizon image is slightly below the true horizon. Which adjustment or correction principle applies?
A.The error is off the arc and must be added to sextant readings
B.There is side error, corrected with the second screw on the index mirror
C.The error is on the arc and must be subtracted from sextant readings
D.There is collimation error, so the telescope must go back to the maker
Explanation: Moving the index forward on the arc lowers the reflected image. If, with the reading at zero, the reflected horizon lies below the direct horizon, the index must be moved back below zero to bring the two into line, so the error is off the arc. The rule is 'off the arc, add; on the arc, subtract'.
4A navigator takes a sight of Polaris from the Norwegian Sea. The corrected true altitude (Ho) is 61°15.2'. The calculated Local Hour Angle (LHA) of Aries gives table corrections: a0 = +42.8', a1 = +0.4', and a2 = +0.8'. What is the vessel's true observed latitude?
A.60°59.2' N
B.61°59.2' N
C.59°33.6' N
D.61°15.2' N
Explanation: Using the Nautical Almanac Polaris tables: latitude = Ho − 1° + a0 + a1 + a2. Ho − 1° = 60°15.2'. The corrections total 42.8' + 0.4' + 0.8' = 44.0', so latitude = 60°15.2' + 44.0' = 60°59.2' N.
5When observing the Sun's amplitude at sunrise to check compass error, at what moment should the bearing be taken so that the amplitude formula applies?
A.When the Sun's centre is exactly on the visible sea horizon, so it is half risen
B.When the Sun's upper limb first appears above the horizon
C.When the Sun has risen to about 10° altitude
D.When the lower limb is roughly half a diameter above the visible horizon
Explanation: Amplitude tables assume the body is on the celestial horizon, with a true altitude of 0°. Because refraction near the horizon (about 34') lifts the Sun's image, and dip lowers the visible horizon, this occurs when the Sun's lower limb appears roughly half a diameter above the visible horizon, not when the centre is on it.
6A navigator observes the Sun's lower limb with a sextant reading (hs) of 44°30.0'. The sextant has an index error of 2.0' off the arc. The bridge height of eye is 16 meters, for which dip is -7.0'. The Nautical Almanac total correction table (combining refraction and lower-limb semi-diameter) gives +15.2'. What is the true altitude (Ho)?
A.44°40.2'
B.44°36.2'
C.44°54.2'
D.44°09.8'
Explanation: Sextant altitude 44°30.0' + index error (off the arc, add) 2.0' = 44°32.0'. Subtract dip 7.0' to get the apparent altitude 44°25.0'. Add the total correction for refraction and lower-limb semi-diameter, +15.2', to get Ho = 44°40.2'.
7During a morning sight reduction, a navigator calculates an altitude (Hc) of 38°14.0' from an assumed position (AP), with an azimuth of 115°T. The observed true altitude (Ho) is 38°22.0'. How should the intercept be plotted from the AP?
A.8.0 NM away along 295°T; position line along 025°–205°T
B.8.0 NM toward 115°T; position line along 025°–205°T
C.8.0 NM toward 115°T; position line along 115°–295°T
D.0.8 NM toward 115°T; position line along 025°–205°T
Explanation: Intercept = Ho − Hc = 38°22.0' − 38°14.0' = 8.0', that is 8.0 NM. Because Ho is greater than Hc, it is plotted toward the body, along 115°T from the assumed position. The position line is drawn at right angles to the azimuth, along 025°–205°T.
8A celestial azimuth observation gives a computed True Azimuth of the Sun of 091.2°T. The observed gyro bearing is 088.5°G. What is the gyro error, and what is the vessel's True Course when steering 245.0°G?
A.2.7° low (E); true course 247.7°T
B.1.35° low (E); true course 246.4°T
C.2.7° low (E); true course 245.0°T
D.2.7° high (W); true course 242.3°T
Explanation: Gyro error = true bearing − gyro bearing = 091.2° − 088.5° = +2.7°. The gyro reads less than true, so it is 2.7° low (east), and the error is added to gyro readings: 245.0°G + 2.7° = 247.7°T.
9What is the defining characteristic of a Great Circle track compared to a Rhumb Line track between two trans-oceanic waypoints in the Northern Hemisphere?
A.The shortest route; it lies poleward of the rhumb line and crosses meridians at varying angles
B.It always lies nearer the equator than the rhumb line, which is why it is the shortest route
C.It keeps a constant course and is a straight line on a Mercator chart
D.Its initial and final courses are always the same
Explanation: A great circle is the intersection of the earth's surface with a plane through its centre, and its arc is the shortest distance between two points. In the northern hemisphere it lies on the poleward side of the rhumb line, and because it crosses each meridian at a different angle the course must be changed progressively.
10When does a Master decide to execute Composite Great Circle sailing rather than a pure Great Circle track across the North Pacific or North Atlantic?
A.When the rhumb line is shorter than the great circle
B.When its vertex lies in latitudes with ice, severe weather or other unacceptable risk
C.When departure and destination lie on the same meridian
D.When the ship's speed is too low for great circle sailing to save any time over the rhumb line
Explanation: The vertex is the highest latitude reached by a great circle. If it takes the ship into ice, very severe weather or other unacceptable areas, the master can set a limiting latitude. Composite sailing then follows a great circle to that parallel, runs along the parallel, and follows a second great circle to the destination.

About the Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner) Exam

The Dekksoffiser klasse 1 (Deck Officer Class 1, Master Mariner) certificate of competency is the highest deck certificate issued by the Norwegian Maritime Authority (Sjøfartsdirektoratet). Under kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 28 and STCW Regulation II/2, it allows the holder to serve as officer of the watch, chief mate, and master on ships of any size in any trade area, and gives the exclusive right to the title sjøkaptein. The theory is covered by approved nautical education at management level, either a fagskole programme or a bachelor's degree in nautical science at universities such as NTNU, HVL, USN, and UiT. The same STCW table A-II/2 exams also qualify for D3 and D2. The step from D2 to D1 adds seatime, not a new exam: at least 36 months as officer of the watch on seagoing ships over 500 GT, or 24 months if at least 12 months were served as chief mate on ships of 500 GT or more. Candidates also need a seafarer health certificate, ROC or a higher radio certificate, basic and advanced safety courses, and medical care training. Independent Dekksoffiser klasse 1 practice by OpenExamPrep offers 100 English-language multiple-choice questions on management-level topics. The official assessments are in Norwegian and are not multiple choice.

Exam sponsor: Sjøfartsdirektoratet (Norwegian Maritime Authority). The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Assessment

Candidates pass the management-level (STCW table A-II/2) exams in a fagskole or bachelor's programme, covering navigation, stability and construction, cargo operations, ship handling, emergency command, and maritime law (sjøloven, skipssikkerhetsloven, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006). These exams first lead to D3. D2 and D1 then require more seatime as officer of the watch and chief mate, not new exams.

Time Limit

Set by each school; varies by subject

Passing Score

Set by each school's exam regulations; fagskole and university exams use the A–F grading scale with E as the lowest pass, and some assessments are pass/fail

Exam / Certification Fees

NOK 1,059 certificate issuance fee to Sjøfartsdirektoratet; the exams are part of the school programme

Exam sponsor website

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

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.

Not published

Ocean Navigation and Voyage Planning

Celestial sight reductions, great circle sailing, ocean routeing, Polar Code navigation in ice, and ECDIS safety settings and system management.

Not published

Cargo Handling and Stowage Management

Management-level stability, free surface effect, GZ curves and IS Code criteria, damage stability, IMDG segregation, IMSBC liquefaction hazards, and tanker operations.

Not published

Ship Maneuvering and Extreme Handling

Shallow-water squat, bank effect, interaction, berthing with tugs, parametric rolling, broaching, anchoring, and IAMSAR search patterns.

Not published

Maritime Safety, Emergencies and Survival

SOLAS life-saving appliances and FSS Code requirements, the master's command in fire and flooding, marine evacuation systems, GMDSS distress procedures, EPIRB, and SART.

Not published

Maritime Law, Conventions and Leadership

Norwegian Maritime Code (sjøloven), Ship Safety and Security Act (skipssikkerhetsloven), the master's statutory duties, SOLAS, MARPOL Annexes I–VI, STCW, MLC 2006 rest hours, ISM/ISPS, and bridge resource management.

Preparing for the Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner) Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Set by each school's exam regulations; fagskole and university exams use the A–F grading scale with E as the lowest pass, and some assessments are pass/fail
  • Assessment: Candidates pass the management-level (STCW table A-II/2) exams in a fagskole or bachelor's programme, covering navigation, stability and construction, cargo operations, ship handling, emergency command, and maritime law (sjøloven, skipssikkerhetsloven, SOLAS, MARPOL, STCW, MLC 2006). These exams first lead to D3. D2 and D1 then require more seatime as officer of the watch and chief mate, not new exams.
  • Time limit: Set by each school; varies by subject
  • Exam / certification fees: NOK 1,059 certificate issuance fee to Sjøfartsdirektoratet; the exams are part of the school programme 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

Norway Deck Officer Class 1 (Master Mariner): Suggested Study Strategy

1Master sight reduction: practise meridian altitude, latitude by Polaris, and the intercept (Marcq Saint-Hilaire) method until you can work out true altitude, zenith distance, and the position line accurately.
2Calculate free surface effect systematically: the virtual loss of GM equals the tank's free surface moment (l × b³ ÷ 12 × liquid density) divided by the ship's displacement.
3Know the 2008 IS Code general criteria: GM of at least 0.15 m, area under the GZ curve of at least 0.055 m·rad to 30°, 0.090 m·rad to 40° (or the flooding angle), and 0.030 m·rad between 30° and 40°, and GZ of at least 0.20 m at 30° or more.
4Learn Barrass squat approximations: in open shallow water, maximum squat ≈ Cb × V² ÷ 100 metres (V in knots); in a confined channel it is about twice that. Full-form ships tend to squat by the head and fine-form ships by the stern.
5Set ECDIS safety values carefully: base the safety contour on draught plus squat and an under-keel allowance. If the chosen value is not on the chart, ECDIS uses the next deeper contour.
6Understand parametric rolling: it is most likely in head or following seas when the wavelength is close to the ship's length and the encounter period is about half the natural roll period.
7Know the IAMSAR search patterns: the expanding square search suits a datum known with good accuracy, and the sector search suits a small search area around an accurate datum with a single unit.
8Know the key sjøloven sections: § 131 covers the master's duty to keep the ship seaworthy, and § 135 covers the duty to assist people in distress at sea and protects the master's professional judgement on safety.
9Review rest hours: skipssikkerhetsloven § 24 and the MLC require at least 10 hours of rest in any 24 hours and 77 hours in any 7 days, in no more than two periods, one of at least 6 hours.
10Know the MARPOL Annex VI sulphur limits: 0.50% m/m globally and 0.10% m/m inside ECAs. The North Sea ECA covers Norwegian waters south of 62° N, and the new Norwegian Sea ECA applies the 0.10% limit from 1 March 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Norwegian Dekksoffiser klasse 1 certificate?

It is the highest deck certificate of competency issued by Sjøfartsdirektoratet. Under kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 28 and STCW Regulation II/2, it allows the holder to serve as officer of the watch, chief mate, and master on ships of any size in any trade area, with the exclusive right to the title sjøkaptein.

What education is required for Dekksoffiser klasse 1?

Completed education and passed exams covering STCW table A-II/2 (management level), either a 2-year fagskole programme for deck officers at management level or a 3-year bachelor's degree in nautical science (for example at NTNU, HVL, USN, or UiT). The same education also qualifies for D3 and D2.

What seatime is required for Dekksoffiser klasse 1?

You must meet the requirements for D5 to D2, including 12 months as officer of the watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more for D2. Kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 28 then requires at least 36 months as officer of the watch on seagoing ships over 500 GT, reduced to 24 months if at least 12 months were served as chief mate on ships of 500 GT or more.

Is there a separate exam for D1?

No. The management-level exams in STCW table A-II/2 are taken once, during the nautical programme, and first lead to D3. D2 and D1 are then issued on the basis of more seatime, not new exams.

What is the fee for the Dekksoffiser klasse 1 certificate?

Sjøfartsdirektoratet charges NOK 1,059 to issue a deck or engine officer certificate under the 2026 fee regulation. Education costs are handled separately by each school.

What is the passing standard for the school exams?

Each school's exam regulations apply. Norwegian fagskoler and universities use the A–F grading scale, where E is the lowest pass, and some assessments are graded pass/fail.

Which Norwegian laws set out the master's duties?

Mainly sjøloven (the Norwegian Maritime Code, 1994) and skipssikkerhetsloven (the Ship Safety and Security Act, 2007). For example, sjøloven § 131 requires the master to make sure the ship is seaworthy, and § 135 sets the duty to assist anyone in distress at sea. § 135 also states that no one may prevent the master from taking decisions that, in the master's professional judgement, are necessary for safety of life at sea or protection of the marine environment.

How long is a Norwegian Deck Officer Class 1 certificate valid?

Up to 5 years under kvalifikasjonsforskriften § 19, with the same expiry date as your safety-course certificate. To renew, you need a valid health certificate, a refresher in advanced safety training, valid medical care training, and proof of maintained competence, such as 12 months of seatime with a valid certificate in the last 5 years, a re-training course, or a certificate test.