100+ Free SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Practice Questions

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2026 Statistics

Key Facts: SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Exam

100

Practice Questions

Study Adaptation

STCW A-II/2

Competency Level

IMO / SAMSA

60%

Written Pass Mark

SAMSA Examination Rules

Unrestricted

Tonnage Limit

Master Mariner CoC

5 Years

Revalidation Period

STCW 2010 Code

10 Hours

MLC Daily Min Rest

MLC 2006 Regulation 2.3

The SAMSA Master Mariner Unlimited CoC (STCW A-II/2) qualifies mariners to command any commercial vessel worldwide. SAMSA candidates undergo comprehensive written modules and an intensive oral examination before a SAMSA Senior Deck Examiner. Please note: our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA written/oral examinations designed to test command-level knowledge, stability calculations, maneuvering principles, and international maritime conventions.

Sample SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to test your SAMSA Master Mariner CoC exam readiness. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1Under COLREGs Rule 19 (Conduct of vessels in restricted visibility), what action must a vessel take when detecting another vessel forward of the beam by radar alone and determining that a close-quarters situation exists?

A.Avoid altering course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken

B.Alter course to port for a vessel forward of the beam, other than a vessel being overtaken

C.Maintain course and speed until the other vessel is visually sighted

D.Sound two prolonged blasts at intervals of not more than 2 minutes

Explanation: Rule 19(d)(i) specifically mandates that so far as possible, an alteration of course to port shall be avoided for a vessel forward of the beam, other than for a vessel being overtaken. When detecting a target by radar alone in restricted visibility, early and substantial action must be taken to avoid close-quarters situations. Altering to port toward a target dead ahead or on the bow increases collision risk if the other vessel also alters to her starboard.

2Under COLREGs Rule 10, how must a vessel cross a traffic lane in a Traffic Separation Scheme (TSS) if obliged to do so?

A.On a course made good at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow

B.On a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow

C.At an angle of 45 degrees to facilitate rapid merging with traffic lanes

D.Parallel to the separation zone until an open gap is identified

Explanation: Rule 10(c) states that a vessel shall, so far as practicable, cross a traffic lane on a heading as nearly as practicable at right angles to the general direction of traffic flow. Crossing on a right-angle heading presents the vessel's profile clearly to traffic in the lane and minimizes the time spent in the lane. It is important to note that the heading (ship's bow direction), not the track made good, must be at right angles.

3What is the primary function of the Safety Contour setting on an ECDIS?

A.To automatically generate shallow water alarms whenever the vessel enters an EEZ

B.To hide soundings deeper than the vessel's maximum draft to reduce screen clutter

C.To distinguish safe water from shallow water based on the vessel's static and dynamic draft plus safety margins

D.To calculate the tidal height at secondary ports along the planned route

Explanation: The Safety Contour on an ECDIS segregates navigable safe water from shallow water. It is configured by the navigator based on static draft, dynamic squat, squat allowance, pitch/roll motions, and minimum required under-keel clearance (UKC). ECDIS uses the Safety Contour to trigger audible and visual alarms during route planning and route monitoring whenever the vessel's vector crosses into unsafe depths.

4What does the CATZOC (Category of Zone of Confidence) value assigned to an Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) indicate?

A.The legal status of the hydrographic office that published the chart

B.The density of marine traffic expected along coastal shipping routes

C.The maximum speed allowed for vessels operating within that chart cell

D.The accuracy of bathymetric position, depth data, and seafloor coverage quality

Explanation: CATZOC classifies ENC survey data quality across six categories (A1, A2, B, C, D, and Unassessed). It provides the Master with crucial information regarding positional accuracy, depth accuracy, and whether a full seafloor search was conducted. Navigators must account for CATZOC uncertainty allowances when computing required under-keel clearance.

5A vessel's magnetic compass course is 145°. Variation is 18° W and deviation for the heading is 3° E. What is the True Course?

A.130°

B.160°

C.150°

D.124°

Explanation: To convert Compass Course to True Course: Compass (145°) + Deviation (3° E) = Magnetic Course (148°). Magnetic Course (148°) - Variation (18° W) = True Course (130°). Standard mnemonic 'Cadillac Dulles Makes West Least' (Compass to True: East is Add, West is Subtract). Therefore, 145 + 3 - 18 = 130° True.

6According to the Rule of Twelfths for semi-diurnal tides, what proportion of the total tidal range rises during the 3rd hour after Low Water?

A.1/12

B.3/12

C.2/12

D.4/12

Explanation: The Rule of Twelfths states that the tidal rise over 6 hourly intervals between Low Water and High Water occurs in the sequence: 1st hour = 1/12 of range, 2nd hour = 2/12 of range, 3rd hour = 3/12 of range, 4th hour = 3/12 of range, 5th hour = 2/12 of range, 6th hour = 1/12 of range. Thus, during the 3rd hour, 3/12 (or 1/4) of the range rises.

7What is the primary operational purpose of obtaining a morning sun sight followed by a noon meridian altitude observation?

A.To calibrate the ship's magnetic compass for deviation at sea

B.To measure the height of the ionosphere for GMDSS radio propagation

C.To obtain a Position Line for longitude in the morning and cross it with the latitude obtained at noon

D.To verify the vessel's dynamic draft before entering shallow waters

Explanation: A morning sun sight provides a Position Line (PL) that runs approximately north-south, giving an accurate longitude. Advancing this PL along the dead reckoning track to noon and crossing it with the latitude obtained from the noon meridian altitude sight produces a reliable running fix at sea.

8On an ARPA display, what does a CPA (Closest Point of Approach) of 0.2 NM and TCPA of 8 minutes indicate for an approaching target?

A.The target will pass safely astern at a distance of 8 NM in 0.2 minutes

B.The target vessel is obligated to alter course to port immediately

C.The target has stopped and is anchored 0.2 NM away

D.A close-quarters situation and high risk of collision exist within 8 minutes

Explanation: CPA indicates the minimum predicted distance between the own ship and the target vessel, while TCPA indicates the time remaining until that minimum distance is reached. A CPA of 0.2 NM (approximately 370 meters) at a TCPA of 8 minutes signifies a very close encounter and a clear risk of collision under COLREGs Rule 7, requiring timely collision avoidance action.

9Which of the following is the most critical duty of the officer of the watch (OOW) during an anchor watch in deteriorating weather conditions?

A.To continuously monitor position for anchor drag using radar guard zones, visual bearings, and GPS anchor alarm

B.To check engine room bilges every 15 minutes

C.To extinguish all navigation lights to save battery power

D.To lower the rescue boat to water level in preparation for immediate evacuation

Explanation: During an anchor watch in bad weather, early detection of anchor dragging is essential. The OOW must cross-check vessel position using multiple independent means (visual bearings to fixed terrestrial objects, radar ranges/EBL/VRM, and GPS anchor guard alarms) and notify the Master immediately if dragging is detected so main engines can be used.

10Under COLREGs Rule 18 (Responsibilities Between Vessels), which vessel status has priority and is NOT required to keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (RAM)?

A.A power-driven vessel underway

B.A vessel not under command (NUC)

C.A sailing vessel underway

D.A vessel engaged in fishing

Explanation: Under COLREGs Rule 18(a)-(c), power-driven, sailing, and fishing vessels are all required to keep out of the way of a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver (RAM). However, a vessel not under command (NUC) is unable to maneuver to comply with the rules and sits highest in the responsibility hierarchy; therefore, a RAM vessel must keep clear of an NUC vessel.

About the SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Exam

The SAMSA Master Mariner Unlimited Certificate of Competency (STCW Code Section A-II/2) is the premier deck qualification in South Africa. It certifies officers to serve as Master (Captain) on vessels of any size operating anywhere in the world. The assessment tests advanced passage planning, ship handling under adverse conditions, complex vessel stability and damage control, international conventions (SOLAS, MARPOL, MLC 2006), and SAMSA national maritime legislation.

Assessment

SAMSA Written Module Examinations & Oral Assessment with Senior Deck Examiner

Time Limit

3 hours per written paper

Passing Score

60% written / Pass in oral assessment

Exam Fee

~R5,000 (South African Maritime Safety Authority (SAMSA))

SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Exam Content Outline

25%

Command-Level Navigation & Seamanship

Celestial/terrestrial navigation, ECDIS safety settings, radar plotting, COLREGs Rules 1-38, and passage planning in heavy traffic and ice.

25%

Advanced Ship Handling, Maneuvering & Heavy Weather Tactics

Squat, shallow water effects, berthing with tugs, ship-to-ship transfers (STS), heavy weather routing, and parametric rolling.

25%

Master's Stability Responsibilities & Damage Control

GZ curves, initial/large angle stability, free surface effect, longitudinal trim, grain stability, damage stability, and stress criteria.

25%

International Maritime Law, MLC 2006 & Commercial Operations

UNCLOS, SOLAS, MARPOL Annexes I-VI, MLC 2006, ISM/ISPS codes, charterparties, bills of lading, salvage, and SAMSA Merchant Shipping Act.

How to Pass the SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Exam

What You Need to Know

Passing score: 60% written / Pass in oral assessment
Assessment: SAMSA Written Module Examinations & Oral Assessment with Senior Deck Examiner
Time limit: 3 hours per written paper
Exam fee: ~R5,000

Keys to Passing

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

SAMSA Master Mariner CoC Study Tips from Top Performers

1Master COLREGs Rules 1-38 with zero hesitation, including all light, shape, and sound signal requirements for oral examination.

2Practice stability calculations daily, including GZ curve construction, list corrections, free surface effect, and longitudinal trim changes.

3Understand shallow water hydrodynamic effects such as squat formulas, bank cushion/suction, and interaction during vessel passing.

4Know MARPOL Annexes I-VI discharge criteria, Special Area limits, and EEXI/CII operational requirements under Annex VI.

5Familiarize yourself with MLC 2006 seafarer rest hours requirements (minimum 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period) and Master's welfare duties.

6Review SAMSA Merchant Shipping Act provisions regarding casualty reporting, Master's authority, and Port State Control procedures.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the SAMSA Master Mariner Unlimited CoC?

The SAMSA Master Mariner Certificate of Competency is South Africa's highest maritime qualification for deck officers under STCW Code Section A-II/2. It authorizes the holder to act as Master (Captain) on any vessel of unrestricted gross tonnage operating in any trade area globally.

Are these 100 practice questions an official SAMSA examination paper?

No. Official SAMSA examinations consist of essay/calculation written papers and a rigorous face-to-face oral examination. Our 100 MCQs are an English-language MCQ study adaptation for SAMSA written/oral examinations designed to reinforce core command concepts, calculation techniques, and statutory rules.

What subjects are examined in the SAMSA Master Mariner qualification?

The syllabus covers four key domains: (1) Command-level Navigation & COLREGs, (2) Advanced Ship Handling & Heavy Weather Tactics, (3) Master's Stability Responsibilities & Damage Control, and (4) International Maritime Law, MLC 2006, Commercial Operations, and SAMSA Merchant Shipping legislation.

What are the sea service prerequisites for SAMSA Master Mariner CoC?

Candidates must hold a valid STCW Chief Mate Unlimited CoC and complete specified sea service (typically at least 36 months of watchkeeping sea service, which may be reduced to 24 months if serving as Chief Mate) on ships of 3000 GT or more operating on foreign-going voyages.

How should candidates prepare for the SAMSA Oral Examination?

Preparation requires in-depth knowledge of COLREGs (Rules 1-38, light and shape signals, sound signals), emergency response protocols, Master's legal liabilities under SOLAS/MARPOL/MLC, SAMSA casualty reporting procedures, and practical ship handling scenarios.

How long is the SAMSA Master Mariner CoC valid?

The certificate is valid for 5 years and must be revalidated in accordance with STCW regulations by presenting documented qualifying sea service within the preceding 5 years or completing an approved revalidation course.