100+ Free MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Practice Questions

Prepare for the MCA Small Vessel Engineering — Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 (SQA Written Examination 059-02) exam with instant access — no signup required.

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Key Facts: MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Exam

059-02

SQA Subject Code (Auxiliary Equipment Part II)

Qualifications Scotland / SQA MCA Small Vessel listings

MSN 1904

Governing MCA Small Vessel Engineer CoC notice

MSN 1904 (M+F)

Written SQA paper

Official Assessment Format

GOV.UK MCA Small Vessel Competency Examination Syllabuses

Confirm with centre

Current SQA Exam Fee & Duration

Approved centre / SQA (historical SV forms listed £200/subject)

Within 3 years

Typical written pass window before CoC issue (ex-GES)

MSN 1904 (M+F) section 4.1

MCQ study adaptation

This Free Practice Bank

OpenExamPrep study aid (not official SQA paper)

Free 100-question English MCQ study bank for MCA/SQA Small Vessel Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 (059-02, MSN 1904 Chief Engineer pathway). Official exam: written SQA paper (not MCQ); fee and duration confirm with centre. Covers pumps, hydraulics, electrical plant, refrigeration/AC, HP air, lifting plant, alternative fuels, and ship construction. Adaptation disclosure: study aid only, not an official SQA simulation.

Sample MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1What is the primary advantage of a variable-delivery hydraulic pump compared with a fixed-displacement pump of the same maximum flow rating?

A.It can only run at one fixed shaft speed

B.Flow (and often power draw) can be matched to demand without continuous throttling losses

C.It cannot be used in closed-loop circuits

D.It eliminates the need for pressure relief protection

Explanation: Variable-delivery pumps change geometric displacement (for example by swash-plate angle) so delivered flow follows demand. Matching flow to load reduces continuous high-pressure throttling losses that fixed pumps incur when excess flow is dumped over a relief or bypass valve.

2In an axial-piston swash-plate pump, which component primarily sets the geometric displacement per revolution?

A.The case drain orifice diameter alone

B.The angle of the swash plate relative to the drive shaft axis

C.The suction strainer mesh size

D.The colour of the hydraulic fluid

Explanation: Pistons stroke in and out of the barrel as they ride against the inclined swash plate. Changing the swash angle changes piston stroke and therefore displacement per revolution (and thus flow at a given speed).

3When a swash-plate pump is set to zero displacement (zero swash angle), what is the expected ideal theoretical delivery?

A.Maximum rated flow

B.Approximately zero flow (no geometric stroke)

C.Full reverse flow only

D.Exactly half of maximum flow

Explanation: At zero swash angle the pistons have no axial stroke relative to the barrel, so geometric displacement and ideal delivery are zero (small leakage still occurs in practice).

4Why do variable-delivery pumps on deck machinery often include a case-drain (leakage) return line to tank?

A.To feed fuel to the main engine

B.Internal leakage and cooling/flush flow from the rotating group must return to tank without pressurising the case

C.To replace the main pressure relief valve

D.To keep the suction strainer dry

Explanation: Axial-piston units leak past pistons/slippers and bearings into the case. Case pressure must stay low; a dedicated drain returns that oil (and heat) to tank. A blocked case drain can rupture seals.

5Compared with a fixed pump plus continuous relief dumping, how does a pressure-compensated variable pump typically respond once system pressure reaches the compensator setting?

A.It increases displacement to force more flow over the relief

B.It destrokes (reduces displacement) so only leakage/make-up flow is delivered at high pressure

C.It opens the suction to atmosphere

D.It reverses rotation automatically

Explanation: Pressure compensation reduces swash angle as pressure approaches the set point, cutting delivered flow to leakage plus any residual demand. That holds pressure with low power instead of continuously dumping full pump flow over a relief.

6Which failure symptom most strongly suggests a worn swash-plate pump with excessive internal leakage under load?

A.Higher than normal flow at low pressure with no heat

B.Inability to build or hold pressure under load with excessive case-drain flow and fluid heating

C.Complete loss of electrical power only

D.A permanently cold tank with zero oil movement

Explanation: Internal wear increases slip from high-pressure ports to case/low-pressure paths. Delivery falls under load, case drain rises, and wasted energy heats the oil—classic variable-pump degradation signs.

7For a constant-speed prime mover driving a swash-plate pump, which control action primarily increases hydraulic flow to a crane circuit?

A.Increasing swash angle (displacement) within design limits

B.Closing the tank breather permanently

C.Removing the suction filter

D.Increasing only the case-drain restriction

Explanation: At fixed shaft speed, flow ≈ displacement × speed. Increasing swash angle raises displacement and therefore delivered flow (subject to pressure limits and available prime-mover power).

8What is a key construction feature that allows an axial-piston swash-plate unit to act as a variable pump rather than a fixed pump?

A.A rigidly fixed swash plate with no angle change

B.An adjustable or servo-controlled swash plate that can change inclination under control

C.Absence of any piston barrel

D.Use of only centrifugal impeller stages

Explanation: Variable axial-piston pumps use an adjustable swash (manual, pressure-compensated, or electro-hydraulic servo). Fixed units lock the plate at one angle.

9What is the defining feature of a constant-pressure hydraulic system for deck machinery such as a crane or windlass?

A.Pressure is allowed to fall to zero whenever any consumer stops

B.A pressure-compensated pump (or equivalent) maintains system pressure so consumers can take flow on demand

C.Only gravity returns oil to tank

D.There is never a relief or safety valve

Explanation: Constant-pressure (pressure-compensated) systems hold a set pressure at the pump. When a valve opens, flow is available immediately; when demand drops, the pump destrokes and maintains pressure with low standby flow.

10In a constant-pressure circuit serving multiple deck consumers, what protects the system if a directional valve jams open against a stalled actuator?

A.Only the paint colour of the hoses

B.Pressure relief / safety valves and proper actuator end-of-stroke design

C.Removing the return filter

D.Bypassing the cooler permanently

Explanation: If flow is trapped against a hard stop, pressure would rise without limit. Relief valves and sound circuit design limit peak pressure and protect structure and hoses.

About the MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Exam

MCA Small Vessel Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 is the higher-level SQA written module (059-02) required on Small Vessel Chief Engineer pathways under MSN 1904 (M+F). It builds on EOOW-level auxiliaries and examines advanced plant knowledge: variable-delivery and swash-plate pumps; constant-pressure hydraulics for deck machinery and stabilisers; AVR, star-delta starting, generator load sharing, inverters and soft starters; refrigeration and air-conditioning design, safety devices, blended refrigerants (azeotrope, zeotrope, glide), charging and fault-finding; multi-stage HP air and breathing-air quality; lifting plant regulations and loose-gear certification; safe use of petrol, LPG, outboards, inflatables and aviation fuels; and ship construction topics including panting/pounding, subdivision, collision bulkheads, stability effects of modifications, and hazardous materials awareness. Official assessment is a written SQA paper, not multiple choice. This free bank is an English-language MCQ study adaptation of that syllabus — not an official paper.

Assessment

Official: SQA written examination for MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer pathways under MSN 1904 (M+F), examining higher-level auxiliary machinery — pumps, hydraulic systems, electrical plant, refrigeration/AC, HP air, lifting plant, alternative fuels, and ship construction/dry docking. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option English MCQs for study fluency.

Time Limit

Confirm current official written duration with SQA/your approved centre (related SV engineer SQA papers are commonly timed written sittings of about 2 hours)

Passing Score

Confirm the current official written pass mark with SQA/your approved centre (not stated as a public fixed percentage on the GOV.UK Part 2 syllabus page)

Exam Fee

Confirm the current SQA subject fee with your approved centre before booking (older SV application forms listed £200 per small-vessel engineer examination subject; fees are revised periodically) (Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) / Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA))

MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Exam Content Outline

Pumps

Variable-delivery pump construction and theory; swash-plate axial-piston units; displacement control, case drain and pressure compensation concepts

12%

Hydraulic Systems

Applications of hydraulic control; constant-pressure systems for cranes, windlasses and stabilisers; fluids, contamination control and fault-finding

15%

Electrical Plant

AVR operation; star-delta motor connection; kW/kVAr load sharing; inverters; AC soft starting and speed controllers; preferential trip awareness

25%

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Cycle principles; DX and secondary systems; compressors; HP/oil/electrical safety devices; gases, oils and blends; charging, air, over/undercharge; maintenance and fault-finding

High-Pressure Air

Multi-stage HP compressors with intercooling; breathing-air filtration and purity; cylinder testing and certification

10%

Lifting Plant

Hydraulic circuits and symbols; regulations, testing and certification of appliances; thorough examination of loose gear, strops and wires

Alternative Fuels

Safe storage and use of petrol and LPG; outboard operation; inflatable craft handling; aviation fuels for helicopter operations

14%

Ship Construction and Dry Docking

Coatings; transverse/longitudinal stresses; panting and pounding; framing; vibration; structural fire protection; watertight integrity; collision bulkhead; stability and modifications; hazardous materials

How to Pass the MCA SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: Confirm the current official written pass mark with SQA/your approved centre (not stated as a public fixed percentage on the GOV.UK Part 2 syllabus page)
Assessment: Official: SQA written examination for MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer pathways under MSN 1904 (M+F), examining higher-level auxiliary machinery — pumps, hydraulic systems, electrical plant, refrigeration/AC, HP air, lifting plant, alternative fuels, and ship construction/dry docking. This practice set converts that assessable knowledge into four-option English MCQs for study fluency.
Time limit: Confirm current official written duration with SQA/your approved centre (related SV engineer SQA papers are commonly timed written sittings of about 2 hours)
Exam fee: Confirm the current SQA subject fee with your approved centre before booking (older SV application forms listed £200 per small-vessel engineer examination subject; fees are revised periodically)

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 SV Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 Study Tips from Top Performers

1Sketch a pressure-compensated constant-pressure circuit for a crane and a stabiliser — label pump, relief, directional valves, load-holding valves and case drain

2Drill AVR versus governor roles: voltage/excitation (kVAr) versus fuel/speed (kW) when paralleling generators

3Memorise the vapour-compression cycle and safety trips: HP cut-out, oil-pressure cut-out, electrical overload, and safety heads

4Define azeotrope, zeotrope, near-azeotrope and glide in one sentence each — common written-paper discriminators for blended refrigerants

5Practise charging logic: liquid versus vapour withdrawal, dip-tube cylinders, and never venting controlled refrigerants

6Link LOLER-style thorough examination, SWL marking and loose-gear certification to real winch and crane scenarios

7For construction, explain panting versus pounding, collision bulkhead purpose, and how adding topweight affects GM

8Work past written-style short answers under timed conditions — the real SQA paper is written, not multiple choice

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the MCA Small Vessel Auxiliary Equipment Part 2 exam?

It is the SQA written examination (subject code 059-02) for higher-level auxiliary machinery on MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer pathways under MSN 1904 (M+F). The official syllabus is published on GOV.UK.

Is the real exam multiple choice?

No. The official assessment is an SQA written (constructed-response) paper. These free practice items are an English-language multiple-choice study adaptation of the same syllabus topics — not an official SQA paper simulation.

Who needs Auxiliary Equipment Part 2?

It is required for Small Vessel Chief Engineer routes (including Chief Engineer less than 500 GT / 3000 kW and the higher less than 3000 GT / 9000 kW pathway) as specified in MSN 1904, typically with Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements and, for the higher ticket, additional modules.

What topics does the syllabus cover?

Pumps (variable delivery and swash-plate); hydraulic systems for deck machinery and stabilisers; electrical plant (AVR, star-delta, load sharing, inverters, soft starters); refrigeration and AC (including blended refrigerants and fault-finding); multi-stage HP air and cylinder certification; lifting plant regulations and loose gear; alternative fuels (petrol, LPG, outboards, inflatables, aviation fuels); and ship construction/dry docking including subdivision and hazardous materials awareness.

How much does the exam cost?

SQA collects a per-subject fee through the approved examination centre. Older SV application forms listed £200 per small-vessel engineer subject; confirm the current fee with your centre before booking.

Who administers the exam?

Written papers are administered by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) at approved centres in the UK and, by arrangement, overseas.

How long are written passes valid toward a CoC?

MSN 1904 states that, with the exception of General Engineering Science I & II, MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations and the MCA oral must generally be passed within 3 years prior to CoC issue. Confirm current validity on your pathway with MCA.

Do I need a Notice of Eligibility to sit the written paper?

SQA’s Small Vessel information states that an MCA Notice of Eligibility is not required to sit the listed Small Vessel written examinations; you still need an acceptable course of education/training for the subject and centre approval to enter. Always verify current entry rules with your centre.