Deck

Master (Yachts) <500 GT

MASTER-500

Modules
6
Lessons
21
Questions
105

AI-drafted catalogue content pending SME review. Verify against current provider materials.

Aligned to the published MCA syllabus. Official syllabus (GOV.UK). MSN 1858.

MASTER-500-M1 · Seamanship and Meteorology

4 lessons

MASTER-500-M1-A Command seamanship, meteorology, passage planning and emergency command.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L1.1Command seamanship and preparing for seaThe Master carries ultimate responsibility for the seamanship of the ship, and the written Seamanship paper and the oral both test it thoroughly. This lesson covers command-level seamanship and the preparation of the ship for sea.MASTER-500-L1.2Meteorology for commandThe Master routes the ship around the weather and decides whether and how to proceed, so a command-level grasp of meteorology is essential. This lesson covers the systems, the forecasting, and the command decisions weather demands.MASTER-500-L1.3Passage planning and ocean routeing at command levelThe Master approves and owns the passage plan and makes the routeing decisions, so this lesson covers passage planning and ocean routeing at the command level.MASTER-500-L1.4Emergency command, SAR and pollution responseIn an emergency the whole ship looks to the Master, and command under stress is central to the certificate. This lesson covers emergency command, search and rescue, and pollution response at command level.

MASTER-500-M2 · Stability

4 lessons

MASTER-500-M2-A Stability, loading and free surface, damage stability, construction and surveys.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L2.1Stability fundamentals and the stability informationThe Master is ultimately responsible for the ship's stability, and the Stability paper is a demanding written exam. This lesson covers the fundamentals and the approved stability information the Master works from.MASTER-500-L2.2Loading, trim and free surfaceLoading, ballasting and trim set the ship's stability and stresses, and the Master oversees them. This lesson covers loading, trim and the free-surface effect at command level.MASTER-500-L2.3Damage stability and subdivisionA command-level Master must understand how the ship behaves when damaged and flooded, because damage stability is what decides survival. This lesson covers damage stability and subdivision.MASTER-500-L2.4Ship construction, stresses and surveysThe Master must understand the ship's structure to keep her seaworthy, to load her within her strength, and to manage her surveys. This lesson covers construction, stresses and the survey framework at command level.

MASTER-500-M3 · Business and Law

3 lessons

MASTER-500-M3-A The regulatory framework and ISM, certificates and manning, and commercial operation and liability.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L3.1The regulatory framework and the ISM CodeThe Master commands the ship within an international regulatory framework and is the person on whom the ship's safe management ultimately rests. This lesson covers that framework and the ISM Code at command level.MASTER-500-L3.2Certificates, surveys, manning and the crewThe Master keeps the ship certificated, surveyed, manned and crewed within the law, so this lesson covers certificates and surveys, safe manning, and the crew's employment and rights.MASTER-500-L3.3Commercial operation, charters and liabilityA commercial yacht trades under charter and within a framework of maritime law, and the Master operates at the intersection of commerce and safety. This lesson covers commercial operation, charters and the Master's liabilities.

MASTER-500-M4 · Navigation, Radar & ARPA (NARAS)

4 lessons

MASTER-500-M4-A Chartwork, tides and electronic navigation, radar/ARPA, and collision avoidance in command.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L4.1Chartwork, position fixing and passage monitoringThe Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulation paper tests navigation to the command standard, beginning with the chartwork and position fixing that underpin everything. This lesson covers chartwork and passage monitoring at management level.MASTER-500-L4.2Tides, currents and electronic navigationThe command navigator works tides and currents and uses the electronic aids with judgement. This lesson covers tidal work and electronic navigation at the NARAS level.MASTER-500-L4.3Radar, ARPA and target assessmentRadar and ARPA are central to the NARAS paper and to safe navigation, and the command officer must use them expertly. This lesson covers radar, ARPA and the assessment of targets.MASTER-500-L4.4Collision avoidance and bridge team navigationBringing the navigation together, the command officer avoids collisions and leads the bridge team, so this lesson covers collision avoidance and bridge team management at the NARAS level.

MASTER-500-M5 · Celestial Navigation

3 lessons

MASTER-500-M5-A The sextant and the sight, sun sights and meridian passage, and star sights and the celestial fix.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L5.1The sextant and the principle of a sightCelestial navigation is a separate written paper and the ocean navigator's independent backup, and the Master must be able to work it. This lesson covers the sextant and how a sight becomes a position line.MASTER-500-L5.2Sun sights, meridian passage and running fixesThe sun is worked through the day for position, and the noon latitude anchors the celestial day. This lesson covers sun sights, meridian passage and the running fix.MASTER-500-L5.3Star sights, planets and the celestial fixAt twilight the navigator shoots several bodies against a clear horizon for a rapid multi-body fix, the strongest celestial position. This lesson covers star and planet sights and the celestial fix.

MASTER-500-M6 · Command oral

3 lessons

MASTER-500-M6-A IRPCS in depth, ship handling and manoeuvring, and legislation, emergencies and command judgement.

In preparation
MASTER-500-L6.1IRPCS in depth for commandThe command oral examines the collision regulations rigorously, because command means being responsible for keeping clear in every situation. This lesson covers the IRPCS to the command standard.MASTER-500-L6.2Ship handling and manoeuvring in commandThe command oral explores how the Master handles the ship in every situation, since ship handling is where command is most visible. This lesson covers ship handling and manoeuvring at command level.MASTER-500-L6.3Legislation, emergencies and command judgementThe final oral area draws the command responsibilities together — legislation, emergency command, and the judgement that defines a Master. This lesson pulls those threads into the command standard.