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MANAGEMENT LEVEL
MCA SQA Chief Mate Written Exam Prep Course
The Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Exam Prep Course is an online course from Onboard Maritime for deck officers preparing for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) SQA Navigation and Stability written exams. You can enrol in Navigation only, Stability only, or both subjects. Enrolment is rolling, so you can start at any time and get 12 months of access. The course includes exam-focused study materials with worked calculations and videos, weekly live tutor webinars with recordings and mobile app access with limited offline use for studying at sea.
The course is designed to help candidates understand and apply the syllabus rather than simply memorise information, with tutors available to explain difficult concepts and provide personalised academic support.
What is Included in the Course?
We offer tiers of access to our SQA MCA Chief Mate Written Exam Prep course, which can include Navigation, Stability or a combination of both.
Enrol today through our secure learning portal for immediate access to all course materials.
Course: SQA MCA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Exam Preparation - Navigation only
Delivery: Online access to learning materials
Duration: Up to 12 months course access
Support: Live weekly webinars, tutor support and recorded sessions, mobile app
£625 + VAT
Purchase securely on our learning portal.
Navigation only
Stability
Only
Course: SQA MCA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Exam Preparation - Stability only
Delivery: Online access to learning materials
Duration: Up to 12 months course access
Support: Live weekly webinars, tutor support and recorded sessions, mobile app
£625 + VAT
Purchase securely on our learning portal.
Navigation & Stability
Course: SQA MCA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Exam Preparation - Navigation & Stability
Delivery: Online access to learning materials
Duration: Up to 12 months course access
Support: Live weekly webinars, tutor support and recorded sessions, mobile app
£1250 + VAT
Purchase securely on our learning portal.
What are the benefits of the Chief Mate Written Exam Preparation Course?
Comprehensive Materials & Self Assessments
This course includes exam-relevant content, worked calculations, videos of key concepts, and a library of past webinar recordings for additional study.
Homework sheets are provided to students in advance to complete per subject. You will also have access to the Witherby online library resource.
Weekly Live Sessions for Chief Mate Writtens Exam Prep
Join our weekly Tutor webinars where we focus on key areas of the syllabus, go through worked examples, and provide an opportunity for questions and discussions. Timetables and subjects are provided in advance, so you can prepare ahead, and get the most out of the session.
Tailored Learning & 1-2-1 Mentorship Approach
Stuck on a concept? Don’t wait for your next class session. Our tutors are available to break down complex topics whenever you need extra help. We’re here to help you move beyond memorisation and master the material. Plus, join our community forums to exchange questions and insights with your peers.
Read our blog: The Butterfly Effect: Why Understanding Matters in Chief Mate Written Exam Prep
Video Tutorials to Catch-up On Demand
Get unlimited access to group tutorial recordings to download and revisit whenever you need a refresher.
Mobile App Access
Study on the go with our mobile app, offering limited offline access. Some content can be downloaded in advance and accessed offline, making it ideal to continue your learning while at sea.
Get 12 Months Course Access & Start Anytime
Our Chief Mate Writtens Exam Prep course is a rolling programme, meaning you can join at any time and get 12 months of access to study materials, as well as joining our weekly live group tutorials when it suits you. It's an ideal course to fit around your work and life commitments.
What's Included in the MCA SQA Chief Mate Written Exam Prep Course?
This course prepares candidates for the SQA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written examinations. Stability, along with the Navigation examination, provide the most challenging writtens exams in the UK Deck Officer Certificates of Competency. Unlike college based examinations which remain within the control of the educational establishment attended by a student, these exams have more extensive syllabi, requiring greater understanding to prove competency at the management level. The scope of the examinations reflect the culmination of years of education and experience required by professional senior deck officers.
Our tutors are not here to help you memorise the information, but comprehend it.
Stability & Operations
Within this course section are a number of resources that a candidate should be familiar with prior to attempting the exam. There are also a number of revision videos to provide a reminder of many of the basic OOW concepts.
Navigation
This course section provides the supporting materials for the UK Chief Mates SQA Navigation Examination, including the syllabus checklist, simple maths reminder, examination extracts.
Course Enquiry Form
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How does online learning work?
When you sign up to a course, you will be given access to our learning portal, where you can login to find your course content, webinar links and tutor support.
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Trustpilot Reviews of Chief Mate Written Exam Prep Course
The clear choice for Orals and SQA Prep
I used Onboard Maritime for the SQA prep and Chief Mate Orals prep courses, I highly recommend their product for the quality of teaching and availability of the services. The online learning portal is great for self-study, and the 4-week twice daily calls for orals prep is invaluable to practice answering questions as a group. Passed first time using their services, will be using again for Masters.
FAQ's for OOW (Unlimited) Exam Preparation Course
Q: What is the MCA Chief Mate Written Exam Preparation Course? The Onboard Maritime MCA Chief Mate Written Exam Preparation Course is an online course designed to help Merchant Navy deck officers prepare for the SQA MCA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Examinations in Navigation and Stability. The course provides structured study materials, worked examples, revision resources, tutor support and examination preparation.
Q: Who is eligible to take this OOW exam prep course? The course is designed for Deck Cadets preparing for the MCA OOW (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency, regardless of their current stage of cadet training. It is particularly suited to candidates who want to combine structured online study, live tutor support and flexible revision around college and sea time.
Q: Does the course cover both Chief Mate Navigation and Stability? Yes. Students can choose to study Chief Mate Navigation, Chief Mate Stability, or both subjects together. The combined option is designed for candidates preparing for both written examinations.
Q: Can I study the Chief Mate written exam course online? Yes. The course is delivered online, allowing students to study remotely and fit their preparation around work, sea time and other commitments. Course materials and recorded sessions can be accessed online throughout the period of course access.
Q: How long do I have access to the Chief Mate Written Exam Prep course? Students receive 12 months of course access, giving them time to work through the study material, revision resources, calculations, videos and examination preparation at their own pace
Q: Can I start the Chief Mate Writtens Exam Prep course at any time? Yes. The course operates as a rolling programme, so students can start their studies at a time that suits them rather than waiting for a fixed course start date.
Q: Does the course include tutor support? Yes. Students have access to unlimited tutor support as part of the course. Tutors can help explain difficult subjects, answer questions and provide guidance throughout the student's exam preparation.
Q: Are live classes or webinars included? Yes. The course includes weekly live tutor-led webinars, with recordings available for students who cannot attend a live session or who want to revisit a topic during their revision.
Q: What is covered in Chief Mate Stability & Operations? The Stability & Operations section provides study and revision resources covering the key knowledge and calculations required for the Chief Mate Stability examination. The course includes worked calculations, supporting study materials, revision videos and opportunities to practise applying the relevant principles.
Q: What is covered in Chief Mate Navigation? The Chief Mate Navigation section is designed around the UK SQA Chief Mate Navigation examination. It includes syllabus guidance, supporting study material, mathematics revision, examination extracts and other resources to help candidates prepare for the written examination
Q: Is the Chief Mate Writtens exam prep course suitable for officers preparing for the MCA CoC? The course is designed specifically for candidates preparing for the SQA MCA Chief Mate (Unlimited) Written Examinations.
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Seatime Calculator Tool
Calculate your sea service and download a PDF report instantly. No sign-up required!
Guest data will not be saved. To unlock the full saved features, enrol in a course for premium access.