Published: June 2025
This comprehensive study guide is designed to help you prepare for the Chief Mate and Master Unlimited Certificates of Competency. It provides a structured framework for exam preparation aligned with the syllabus, covering key topics, Codes and Conventions and practical aides and resources for effective self-study.
To preview the guide, watch the Look Inside video below:
Look Inside: Chief Mate/Master Unlimited: Orals Notes (1st Edition: 2025)
This publication has been meticulously developed to support maritime professionals preparing for the Chief Mate and Master Mariner (Unlimited) Certificates of Competency. Compiled by Captain Iain Macneil throughout his own orals preparation between 2023 and 2024, this guide consolidates essential regulatory knowledge, critical subject matter and practical insights into a single, structured resource.
Designed as a comprehensive study aid, the guide covers the full syllabus, including ship certification, and statutory Codes and Conventions, with emphasis on those involving human element considerations such as the ISM Code, ISPS Code and the Maritime Labour Convention. It also addresses the professional standards expected of a Master. The guide includes revision frameworks, examination techniques, equipment checklists, M-notices and self-assessment materials. Chapter Five contains the complete course syllabus as delivered by OceanWise Training. Additional resources include topic-specific study notes, question-and-answer sheets, single-subject summaries and perforated worksheets, supporting a broad range of operational and regulatory guidance.
While not a replacement for formal instruction, this resource is intended to reduce inefficiencies in self-directed study and to provide a logical and structured approach to oral exam preparation. It is a valuable tool for any officer aiming to achieve success at the Chief Mate or Master Unlimited level.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
1 Preparation Advice for Masters Orals
2 Equipment to Gather/Purchase
3 Aide Memoires and Short Revision Lists - Six months Prior to Your Target Orals Date
3.1 What items are covered in a Load Line annual survey?
3.2 What items are covered by a Cargo Ship Safety Equipment Survey?
3.3 What items are covered under a Cargo Ship Safety Construction Certificate?
3.4 What is the Harmonised System of Survey & Cert. (HSSC)
3.5 SOLAS Contents
3.6 What are the Annexes to MARPOL?
3.7 What are the content of a typical shipboard oil pollution plan?
3.8 What are the contents of a Ship Stability Book?
3.9 SMS is composed of four functional components:
3.10 What are the functional requirements of ISM?
3.11 What does an SMS consist of?
3.12 What is the layout of the Sections that make up the ISM Code?
3.13 What items must the vessel and company have in place to comply with ISPS?
3.14 ISPS - What are the objectives and how is it achieved?
3.15 ISPS - What does a Ship Security Plan Consist of?
3.16 What are the Five Titles under MLC?
3.17 Contents of a Seafarers Employment Agreement?
3.18 What are the areas that are covered in an MLC inspection?
3.19 What would form the basis of your Master's Standing Orders?
3.20 What are the contents of an Official Log Book?
3.21 What are the Master's responsibilities under ISM?
3.22 ISM Code Section 5.2 - Master's Overriding Authority
3.23 SOLAS V, Reg 33 Distress messages
3.24 SOLAS V, Reg 34-1 - Master's discretion
3.25 What are the Masters responsibilities under the ISPS code?
3.26 SOLAS V, Reg 31 Danger Messages
3.27 What are the most serious offences under the MN Code of Conduct?
3.28 Initial Actions in an Emergency as Master
3.29 Responding to a 'Talky-Talky' question
3.30 What are the types of Inspections by PSC
3.31 What is inspected in a 'more detailed' Port State Control inspection?
Four and Two months Prior to Your Target Orals Date
4.1 Four months before your Orals
4.2 Two Months Prior to Your Target Orals Date
5 Master (Unlimited) Course Syllabus Material
5.1 Master's roles and responsibility
5.2 Surveys and Certification
5.3 Crew Management
5.4 Ship Security and Piracy
5.5 ISM Code
5.6 Maritime Labour Convention
5.7 Accommodation Inspections
5.8 Health and Safety
5.9 ECDIS
5.10 Load Lines
5.11 Port State Control
5.12 Seaworthiness of the ship
5.13 Towage and Salvage
5.14 MARPOL
5.15 Search and Rescue
5.16 Commercial Shipping
5.17 Safe Navigation
5.18 Ship Stability & Dry docking
5.19 Meteorology
5.20 Magnetic Compass
6 Grouped and highlighted M-Notices
6.1 Navigation/Watchkeeping
6.2 Training Requirements
6.3 Environmental
6.4 Safety
6.5 Cargoes
6.6 Surveys
6.7 Emergency / Search and Rescue (SAR)
6.8 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC)/Employment
6.9 Master Specific
7 Grouped Subject Study Notes (Detailed)
7.1 Cargo
7.2 Compass
7.3 Lifeboats
7.4 MAYDAY & SAR
7.5 Stability
7.6 Navigation for Masters (Key items that may be specifically questioned)
8 Single Topic Study Sheets
8.1 ACS/EAS Eligibility Requirements
8.2 BUNKER DELIVERY NOTE (BDN)
8.3 Classification Society Questions
8.4 Collision Specific Questions
8.5 COSWP - Key Chapters
8.6 Document of Compliance
8.7 ECDIS Training
8.8 Emergency Generator/Emergency Batteries Questions
8.9 Emergency Mark Buoy
8.10 Emergency Towing
8.11 ESP
8.12 Safe Manning Exemptions - Sailing shorthanded - How to apply
8.13 Fresh Water Management
8.14 Hong Kong Convention (Entry into Force: 26 June 2025)
8.15 Hours of Rest - Exceptions
8.16 Improvement and Prohibition Notices
8.17 Lay-Up - Class Status
8.18 LOLER/PUWER
8.19 Marine Casualty and Marine Incident Reporting
8.20 MARPOL Annex I - Discharge of Oil
8.21 MARPOL ANNEX IV - Sewage
8.22 MARPOL Annex V
8.23 MARPOL Annex VI (Recent Amendments)
8.24 MARPOL Annex VI (Summary of Annex VI)
8.25 MASTER - Joining as Master
8.26 Master's Standing Orders
8.27 Merchant Shipping Act 1995
8.28 Muster Lists
8.29 Onboard Complaints Procedure
8.30 Pilot Ladder (Key construction items and use with Gangway)
8.31 Place of Refuge
8.32 Port State Control
8.33 Recent (and Forthcoming) Amendments to IMO instruments
8.34 Recurving storms
8.35 Safety Officer and Safety Representatives
8.36 Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP)
8.37 UK Monitoring Reporting & Verification
8.38 Weather Front
9 Q&A Sheets General
10 Q&A Two weeks Prior to Exam
11 Perforated: Self Study Sheets to Remove
Master - 00 Ship Certificates HSSC, DOC, SMC, ISSC & MLC
Master - 01 ISM
Master - 02 ISPS
Master - 03 MLC
Master - 04 Oil Record Book
Master - 05 Port State Control
Master - 06 Voyage Data Recorder
Master - 07 IAPP
Master - 08 Sewage
Master - 09 Ballast Water Management
Master - 10 Officers, Qualifications & Certs
Master - 11 Logbooks and Records
Master - 12 Discipline - Complaints
Master - 13 Code of Conduct
Master - 14 Official Logbooks
Master - 15 Young Persons
Master - 16 Drills
