100+ Free MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Practice Questions

Prepare for the MCA/SQA Officer of the Watch Unlimited Paper 034-84 — Stability and Operations exam with instant access — no signup required.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card✓ No hidden fees✓ Start practicing immediately

100+ Questions

100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More UK MCA/SQA Deck Officer Written Examinations

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

2026 Statistics

Key Facts: MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Exam

034-84

Official Paper Code

MCA/SQA OOW Stability and Operations syllabus

From March 2025

June 2024 Syllabus In Force

GOV.UK 034-84 syllabus PDF

Formula sheet provided

Official Written Exam Aid

GOV.UK 034-84 syllabus notes

Written paper

Official Assessment Format

Qualifications Scotland/MCA written examinations

Confirm with centre

Fee and Exact Pass Scheme

Approved examination centres / paper front cover

MCA / Qualifications Scotland

Administrator

MSN 1856 deck certification framework

MCQ study adaptation

This Free Practice Bank

OpenExamPrep study aid (not official paper)

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for MCA/SQA OOW Unlimited paper 034-84 Stability and Operations (syllabus from March 2025). Official exam: written calculations/descriptions with formula sheet; fee and exact timing/pass scheme — confirm with centre. Covers TPC/FWA/DWA, GM/GZ, free surface, trim/MCTC, deck watch, MARPOL, ISM and MLC. Not an official paper simulation.

Sample MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Which statement correctly defines a ship’s displacement?

A.The mass of the ship and everything on board, equal to the mass of water displaced when floating

B.The volume of the cargo holds only

C.The difference between LOA and LBP

D.The freeboard measured from the deck edge to the waterline

Explanation: By Archimedes’ principle, a floating ship displaces a mass of water equal to its own total mass. That total mass is the ship’s displacement.

2Relative density (specific gravity) of a liquid is best defined as which of the following?

A.The ratio of the density of the liquid to the density of fresh water

B.The absolute density of the liquid in tonnes per cubic metre only

C.The free surface moment of the liquid in a tank

D.The temperature of the liquid divided by 15 °C

Explanation: Relative density is the ratio of a substance’s density to the density of fresh water (taken as 1.000). Seawater is often taken as RD 1.025 for load-line and hydrostatic work at operational level.

3According to Archimedes’ principle and the law of flotation, a freely floating ship will float so that:

A.The mass of water displaced equals the total mass of the ship, and the centre of buoyancy is vertically aligned with the centre of gravity when upright

B.The volume of the hull above the waterline equals the volume below the waterline

C.The freeboard is always exactly half the moulded depth

D.The ship’s KG is always equal to its KM

Explanation: A floating body displaces its own weight of fluid. In stable upright equilibrium, G and B lie on the same vertical (the centreline).

4Tonnes per centimetre immersion (TPC) is defined as:

A.The mass that must be loaded or discharged to change the ship’s mean draught by one centimetre

B.The mass that changes trim by one centimetre

C.The mass that changes list by one degree

D.The mass equal to the ship’s lightship displacement

Explanation: TPC is the tonnes required to change mean draught by 1 cm at the current draught and water density. It is read from hydrostatic data or calculated from waterplane area and density.

5Fresh Water Allowance (FWA) is best described as:

A.The change in mean draught when the ship moves between salt water and fresh water at the same displacement

B.The allowance added to summer freeboard for tropical zones only

C.The freeboard reduction allowed when the ship is listing

D.The difference between LOA and LBP

Explanation: FWA is the change in mean draught when a ship of given displacement passes from salt water (typically RD 1.025) into fresh water (RD 1.000), or vice versa. It is used with load-line calculations when density differs from assigned salt water.

6A ship’s summer displacement is 12 000 t and TPC in salt water is 24 t/cm. Using the standard operational formula FWA (mm) = Δ/(4 × TPC), what is the approximate FWA?

A.125 mm

B.12.5 mm

C.500 mm

D.250 mm

Explanation: FWA (mm) = Δ / (4 × TPC) = 12 000 / (4 × 24) = 12 000 / 96 = 125 mm (equal to 12.5 cm). This is the classic OOW formula as used with TPC in t/cm; the examination formula sheet provides the working form and units.

7Dock Water Allowance (DWA) for a ship floating in dock water of relative density 1.010, with FWA = 20 cm and salt water RD 1.025, is approximately:

A.12 cm

B.20 cm

C.8 cm

D.25 cm

Explanation: DWA = FWA × (RD_sw − RD_dock) / (RD_sw − RD_fw) = 20 × (1.025 − 1.010) / (1.025 − 1.000) = 20 × 0.015/0.025 = 20 × 0.6 = 12 cm. The ship may load so that mean draught increases by the DWA compared with the salt-water load line when in that dock water.

8A ship has TPC = 30 t/cm. Approximately how much cargo may be loaded to increase mean draught by 15 cm (small change, same density)?

A.450 t

B.45 t

C.2 t

D.1500 t

Explanation: For a small draught change, mass ≈ TPC × change in draught (cm) = 30 × 15 = 450 t.

9Length between perpendiculars (LBP) is measured:

A.Between the forward and after perpendiculars, typically from the forward side of the stem on the summer load line to the after side of the rudder post (or equivalent AP definition)

B.Along the weather deck from stem to stern including the bulbous bow overhang only

C.From the lowest point of the keel to the main deck edge

D.Between the port and starboard load line marks

Explanation: LBP is the longitudinal distance between the forward perpendicular (FP) and after perpendicular (AP). It is a key reference length for hydrostatic and trim calculations.

10Block coefficient (CB) is defined as:

A.Displacement volume divided by (LBP × breadth × draught)

B.Waterplane area divided by (LBP × breadth)

C.TPC divided by FWA

D.Freeboard divided by moulded depth

Explanation: CB = underwater volume / (L × B × d), using the appropriate length (often LBP) and moulded breadth and draught. It indicates how ‘full’ the underwater hull form is.

About the MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Exam

MCA/SQA paper 034-84 Stability and Operations is the OOW Unlimited written examination (STCW II/1) covering operational-level ship stability and shipboard operations. The official June 2024 syllabus (used from March 2025) assesses flotation, buoyancy and load lines; transverse stability including GZ curves, list/loll and free surface; longitudinal stability and trim; deck watch duties and emergencies; pollution prevention; and legislation (MARPOL, ISM, COSWP, M-notices, Code of Conduct, MLC). Formula sheets are provided. The real assessment is a written paper, not multiple choice. This free bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation of that syllabus — not an official simulation.

Assessment

Official: written examination covering flotation/load lines, transverse stability, longitudinal stability, deck watchkeeping, pollution prevention and legislation (MCA/SQA syllabus 034-84, June 2024, used from March 2025). Section weighting and pass rules are those of the official paper. This practice set converts assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.

Time Limit

As published on the official paper (written examination with Qualifications Scotland/MCA reading-time invigilation rules); confirm with your approved centre

Passing Score

Confirm the current official marking scheme on the examination paper or with your centre. Third-party training sources have long reported an overall pass around 50% with a minimum in each section for OOW Stability & Operations — do not rely on third-party summaries alone.

Exam Fee

Confirm the current Qualifications Scotland/MCA written fee and centre administration charges with your approved centre (example 2025/26 centre schedules have listed an OOW SQA fee around £280 plus admin fees) (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) / Qualifications Scotland (on behalf of the MCA))

MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Exam Content Outline

18%

Flotation, Buoyancy and Load Lines

Define displacement, density and RD; Archimedes and flotation; TPC, FWA and DWA; hydrostatic draught/displacement changes; ship dimensions; CW and CB; load-line zones and cargo-to-mark calculations

30%

Transverse Stability

G, B, M, KM, GM and GZ; MSS; stable/neutral/unstable/listed conditions; loll; GZ-curve features; stiff vs tender; weight shifts including ship’s gear; free surface as virtual rise of G or FSM

15%

Longitudinal Stability

AMD, TMD, LCF, LCG, LCB, trim, trimming moment and MCTC; final draughts from even-keel and trimmed starts; weight transfer for required trim or UKC

15%

Deck Watch

Port/anchor/sea deck watch for security, safety, moorings, cargo, ballast and hull stress; enclosed spaces and PTW; fire/accident/pollution contingencies; watertight integrity; safe access and movement

10%

Pollution Prevention

Bunkering and garbage precautions; handling dangerous/hazardous/harmful substances; operational MARPOL awareness

12%

Legislation

MARPOL annexes and liability; ISM principles; COSWP; MSN/MGN/MIN and Code of Conduct; MLC hours of work/rest, living conditions and complaints

How to Pass the MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Confirm the current official marking scheme on the examination paper or with your centre. Third-party training sources have long reported an overall pass around 50% with a minimum in each section for OOW Stability & Operations — do not rely on third-party summaries alone.
Assessment: Official: written examination covering flotation/load lines, transverse stability, longitudinal stability, deck watchkeeping, pollution prevention and legislation (MCA/SQA syllabus 034-84, June 2024, used from March 2025). Section weighting and pass rules are those of the official paper. This practice set converts assessable knowledge into four-option MCQs for study fluency.
Time limit: As published on the official paper (written examination with Qualifications Scotland/MCA reading-time invigilation rules); confirm with your approved centre
Exam fee: Confirm the current Qualifications Scotland/MCA written fee and centre administration charges with your approved centre (example 2025/26 centre schedules have listed an OOW SQA fee around £280 plus admin fees)

Keys to Passing

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

MCA/SQA OOW 034-84 Stability and Operations Study Tips from Top Performers

1Drill TPC, FWA and DWA until automatic: FWA (cm) ≈ Δ/(4×TPC); DWA = FWA×(1.025−RDdock)/0.025; cargo ≈ TPC×immersion (cm)

2Practise KG by moments: final KG = total vertical moment / final displacement; then GM = KM − KG − free surface correction

3Memorise list vs loll: list = off-centre G with positive GM; loll = negative GM — correction methods differ and wrong action is dangerous

4For GZ curves, always identify initial GM (slope), max GZ, angle of max GZ, deck-edge immersion, range and vanishing stability

5Longitudinal problems: moment about LCF, trim change = moment/MCTC, then apply half-trim distribution using LCF position to get final Tf/Ta

6Ship’s gear: suspended weight acts at the jib/crane head — expect both KG rise and possible list

7Do not neglect operations and law: enclosed-space PTW, bunkering pollution control, MARPOL annex map, ISM SMS, MSN/MGN/MIN status, MLC rest hours

8Work timed past-paper style calculations under exam conditions — the real paper is written, not MCQ

Frequently Asked Questions

What is MCA/SQA paper 034-84?

It is the Officer of the Watch Unlimited written examination in Stability and Operations, administered by Qualifications Scotland on behalf of the MCA. The official syllabus (June 2024) is used from March 2025 exam diets.

Is the real exam multiple choice?

No. The official assessment is a written paper with calculations and descriptive answers, and formula sheets are provided. These free items are an English-language MCQ study adaptation of the same syllabus — not an official paper simulation.

What topics are examined?

Flotation, buoyancy and load lines; transverse stability (including GZ curves, list/loll and free surface); longitudinal stability and trim; maintaining a deck watch; pollution prevention; and legislation (MARPOL, ISM, COSWP, M-notices, Code of Conduct, MLC).

Are formula sheets provided?

Yes. The official 034-84 syllabus notes that formula sheets will be provided to candidates for the examination.

What is the pass mark?

Confirm the current scheme on the official paper or with your centre. Training sources have commonly reported an overall pass around 50% with a section minimum for OOW Stability & Operations, but the GOV.UK syllabus PDF does not itself print the pass mark.

How much does the exam cost?

Fees are set through Qualifications Scotland/MCA arrangements and approved centres. Example 2025/26 centre schedules have listed an OOW SQA fee around £280 plus centre administration charges — confirm current fees before booking.

Who administers the exam?

Written papers are administered by Qualifications Scotland for and on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency at approved examination centres.

When is the syllabus version used?

The June 2024 034-84 syllabus is specified for use from March 2025 examinations onwards.