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CADET - OFFICER OF THE WATCH
OOW (Unlimited) MCA Oral & Written Exam Preparation Course
Prepare for your MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC). Designed for Deck Cadets at all phases, this flexible, self-paced online course provides 25+ MCA-aligned modules, daily live Zoom tutorials with expert Tutors, interactive learning experiences, and mock oral exam self-tests.
How much does the OOW Exam Prep Course cost and what is included?
Choose from 4, 8, or 12-month access plans to match your college phases and sea time. You can also choose to focus on Orals or Written Exam Prep, or both.
Enrol today through our secure learning portal for immediate access to all course materials.
What are the benefits of the OOW Exam Preparation course?
Daily Live Zoom Tutorials:
Interactive, tutor-led sessions exam topics and critical thinking strategies. Join when it suits you and learn from expert tutors and peers.
Part A Oral Exam Self-Test & Progress Tracker:
Assess your readiness with our traffic-light tracking system before booking your official MCA exam.
Interactive 3D Ship Models:
We know that nothing beats being onboard, but we’ve built something that comes a very close second. Explore, rotate, and deconstruct 3D ship components and machinery to bridge the gap between classroom theory and real sea time.
On-Demand Video Recordings:
Revisit past live tutorial recordings anytime for revision while at sea or at home.
Mobile App with Offline Mode:
Download key study materials and practice on the go. Offers limited offline capabilities.
1-2-1 Mock Orals & Subject Tutoring (Optional Add-on):
Book personalised, one-to-one mock oral exams with expert tutors for practice and targeted feedback.
Is the course aligned to the MCA OOW Unlimited Syllabus?
Our curriculum consists of 25+ structured modules aligning with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) syllabus.
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Navigation & ColRegs (IRPCS): Master collision avoidance rules, IALA buoyage, chartwork, and bridge procedures.
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Cargo Handling & Stowage: Cargo operations, securing, stability, and dangerous goods protocols (IMDG).
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Ship Operations & Safety: Shipboard management, pollution prevention (MARPOL), SOLAS regulations, and emergency response.
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Written Exam Prep: Dedicated modules for MCA Navigation and Ship Stability written papers.
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Oral Exam Prep: Self-assessment quizzes, scenario-based questions, and MCA examiner-style questions.
Useful Study Toolkits
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Personalised Study Planner: Generate a custom revision schedule based on your available sea time and college blocks.
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MCA Seatime Calculator: Track voyage days, calculate total qualifying sea service, and export PDF reports directly from your dashboard.
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Additional Reference Materials
Test your knowlege!
Have you got what it takes to sit your OOW exam yet? Try our our skills quiz and take your place on our leaderboard!
OOW Course Enquiry Form
Contact us to find out about online maritime training courses or to enrol today!
We'll aim to get back to you as soon as possible.
Please provide as much detail as possible to help us with your query.
Trustpilot Reviews of OOW Oral & Written Exam Preparation Course
I’m incredibly grateful for the support and guidance they provided throughout my preparation for my Officer of the watch exam. Their tutoring played a huge part in helping me pass, and I genuinely couldn’t have asked for a better team behind me.
What really stood out was the consistency of their support not just during lessons, but throughout the entire journey. They pushed me when I needed it, and celebrated every bit of progress along the way. I owe a huge part of this success to Onboard Maritime, and especially to those behind the scenes… I couldn’t recommend them enough!
Liz – Previous Candidate of OOW Exam Preparation Course
FAQ's for OOW (Unlimited) Exam Preparation Course
Q: What is the OOW Exam Preparation Course? The OOW Exam Preparation Course is an online preparation course for the UK MCA Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited Certificate of Competency (CoC). It is designed for Deck Cadets at all stages of their training and combines self-paced online learning, 25+ MCA-aligned modules, daily live Zoom tutorials, interactive study tools and oral exam self-tests.
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 OOW course cover the MCA syllabus? Yes. The course includes 25+ structured modules aligned with the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) OOW syllabus. Topics include Navigation and COLREGs (IRPCS), cargo handling and stowage, ship operations, safety, SOLAS, MARPOL, emergency response, written exam preparation and oral exam preparation.
Q: Can I study for my OOW exams while I am at sea? Yes. The course is designed to provide flexible online study that can fit around sea time, college phases and other commitments. Students can access course materials online, watch recorded tutorials on demand and use the Onboard Maritime mobile app for selected study materials with limited offline access.
Q: Are live online tutorials included in the OOW course? Yes. The course includes daily live Zoom tutorials led by expert tutors. These sessions focus on examination topics and critical-thinking strategies, while allowing students to ask questions and learn alongside other OOW candidates. Live tutorial recordings are also available on demand for revision.
Q: Is the OOW Preparation Course delivered fully online? Yes. The course is delivered 100% online through Onboard Maritime’s digital learning platform and mobile app. This enables seafarers to study from anywhere in the world, on vessel or on leave, without taking study leave. Wifi is required to access the online learning platform, but students can download some learning materials to the mobile app to study offline.
Q: What study resources are included in the OOW exam preparation course? The course includes a range of interactive study resources, including 25+ online modules, 3D ship models, video tutorials, self-assessment quizzes, a Part A Oral Exam Self-Test, a progress tracker, a personalised study planner and an MCA seatime calculator. Additional reference materials are also provided.
Q: Does the OOW course include mock oral exam practice? The course includes oral exam self-tests, scenario-based questions and MCA examiner-style questions in groups to help candidates assess their knowledge and prepare for the oral examination. Candidates who want additional personalised practice can also purchase 1-to-1 mock oral examinations and subject tutoring as an optional add-on.
Q: How much does the OOW Exam Preparation Course cost? The current OOW course has three pricing options: •4-month plan: £375 + VAT •8-month plan: £550 + VAT •12-month plan: £695 + VAT All three plans provide access to the course materials and tutoring. Candidates can choose the access period that best fits their training, college and sea-time schedule.
Q: How does this OOW (Unlimited) Exam Prep Course compare with alternatives? Onboard Maritime’s course gives students access to self-paced learning modules alongside daily live webinars led by experienced maritime tutors. The programme includes dedicated tutor support to guide candidates through complex topics, review past exam topics, and build confidence ahead of oral and written exams.
Q: How does this course prepare cadets for the OOW MCA Oral Exam? The course specifically prepares candidates for both Part A (computer-based proctored test) and Part B (Online oral interview with an MCA examiner). Training focuses on scenario-based decision-making, clear verbal articulation of regulations, situational awareness, and structured answer techniques expected by MCA examiners.
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.
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.