Oral Exam Prep
SV Chief Engineer (<9,000 kW / <3,000 GT) — Oral Exam Preparation
- Modules
- 2
- Lessons
- 48
- Questions
- 240
Independent preparatory study aligned to the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer oral examination syllabuses (STCW III/3). Module A alone covers the Chief Engineer <3,000 kW / <500 GT oral; Modules A and B together cover the <9,000 kW / <3,000 GT oral. Not an MCA-approved course and confers no credit toward a Certificate of Competency.
Aligned to the published MCA syllabus. Official syllabus (GOV.UK). MSN 1904 · syllabus 11 Jun 2018.
SVCE-A · Chief Engineer <3,000 kW / <500 GT (Base Syllabus)
20 lessons
SVCE-A-OPS Operations and Voyage Planning
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-A.1Planning voyage needs - fuel, lubricants, water, stores and spare gearThis lesson covers how a Chief Engineer systematically plans fuel, lubricating oil, fresh water, stores, and spare gear requirements for a voyage, including SECA fuel considerations and the risk-based logic underpinning those calculations.LockedSVCE-A.2Routine maintenance procedures and machinery recordsThis lesson covers why routine maintenance procedures and accurate machinery records are essential on small vessels, how to structure and keep a legal engine room log, and how maintenance tasks should be planned, risk-assessed, executed and documented to satisfy the MCA syllabus outcome and MSN 1904 expectations.LockedSVCE-A.3Proceeding to sea with machinery inoperative or restrictedThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's responsibilities, decision-making process, documentation duties, and communication obligations when considering or proceeding to sea with machinery that is inoperative or operating under restriction.LockedSVCE-A.4The Chief Engineer's responsibilities during bunkeringThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's personal responsibilities and professional judgements during a bunkering operation, from pre-bunker planning and documentation through to post-delivery recording and spill preparedness.Locked
SVCE-A-SAF Safety, Fire and Working Practices
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-A.5Fire organisation - firefighting and lifesaving partiesCovers the structure of fire and lifesaving parties on small vessels, the Chief Engineer's tactical role in an engine-room fire, correct emergency action sequence, and the muster-list requirements under MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-A.9Fire-fighting equipment, fire detection and preventionCovers fire detection systems, portable and fixed fire-fighting equipment (CO₂, high-pressure water mist, sprinklers), correct extinguisher selection, CO₂ system discharge confirmation, pre-entry procedures for an alarmed engine room, and fire prevention practices in the machinery space.LockedSVCE-A.10COSWP, risk assessment and permits to work - enclosed spaces, hot work, electricalThis lesson covers the practical application of COSWP, risk assessment methodology, and permit to work systems — specifically for enclosed space entry, hot work, and electrical isolation — as required for the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer oral examination.Locked
SVCE-A-MCH Machinery and Systems
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-A.6Steering systems and bow thrusters - operation and testingCovers the operating principles, pre-departure testing procedure, air-bleeding, alarms, and routine care of electro-hydraulic steering systems and bow thrusters, aligned to MSN 1904 and the MCA SV Chief Engineer syllabus.LockedSVCE-A.7Pumping and priming systemsCovers pump selection for bilge and fire service, the principles and practice of centrifugal pump priming, fault diagnosis from gauge readings, overhaul inspection sequence, and the link between bilge pumping operations and MARPOL recording obligations.LockedSVCE-A.8Oily water separators - operation, testing and regulationsCovers OWS operating principles, the 15 ppm discharge limit, three-way valve function, testing procedures, and correct Oil Record Book entries as required under MARPOL Annex I and MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-A.12Engines, gearboxes and clutches - working principlesCovers the working principles of four-stroke and two-stroke diesel engines, crankcase explosion mechanics, marine gearbox and clutch operation, and turbocharger function to the depth required for the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer oral examination.LockedSVCE-A.13Fuel, lubricating and cooling systems - filters, pumps and heat exchangersCovers the construction, function and inter-relationship of filters, pumps and heat exchangers in marine fuel, lubricating-oil and cooling-water systems, with fault-finding and operational procedures relevant to the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer oral examination.LockedSVCE-A.14Manoeuvring methods - bridge control, CPP and emergency controlsCovers the sequence for transferring propulsion control to the bridge, pre-manoeuvring checks, CPP operating principles and checks, and the correct procedure when remote control systems fail.LockedSVCE-A.15Air compressors and air receiversThis lesson covers the working principles, constructional details, safety devices, pressure vessel examination requirements, and safe maintenance procedures for starting-air compressors and air receivers on small vessels.LockedSVCE-A.16Control systems and alarm panel fault rectificationThis lesson covers the architecture of automatic alarm and control systems aboard small vessels and teaches a systematic approach to fault-finding and rectification that meets the standard required in the MCA oral examination.LockedSVCE-A.17Safe operation of engines and propulsion plantThis lesson covers the procedure and reasoning for safely taking over an engine room watch, including receiving a handover briefing, conducting a systematic machinery walkround, and formally accepting responsibility for the plant.Locked
SVCE-A-LEG Legislation, Pollution and Seaworthiness
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-A.11Effect of legislation on engine room operationsThis lesson distinguishes the legal instruments governing engine room operations (IMO conventions, SIs, MSNs, MGNs, MINs) and explains their practical effect on machinery standards, pollution prevention, hours of rest, and safe manning for the SV Chief Engineer.LockedSVCE-A.18MARPOL Annexes - pollution prevention in the engine roomCovers the MARPOL Annexes relevant to engine room operations — principally Annex I oil discharge and OWS operation, Annex VI fuel and air emission compliance, and Annex V garbage, including record-keeping obligations and the domestic authority of MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-A.19Stability, watertight integrity, free surface and reserve buoyancyThis lesson covers the principles of vessel stability (GM, GZ, metacentre), free surface effect and the engineer's practical tools to minimise it, watertight integrity, reserve buoyancy, and the relevance of MSN 1904 to small vessel stability requirements.LockedSVCE-A.20The ISM Code - basic knowledge and shipboard applicationCovers the purpose, key documents and shipboard application of the ISM Code from the Chief Engineer's perspective, including the SMS, Document of Compliance, Safety Management Certificate, non-conformity reporting, and joining familiarisation.Locked
SVCE-B · Additional Syllabus for <9,000 kW / <3,000 GT
28 lessons
SVCE-B-MON Monitoring, Transmission and Ship Systems
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.1Sensing, monitoring and measuring devices for marine equipmentCovers the principles, construction, fault recognition and diagnostic reasoning for the pressure, temperature, level, vacuum, flow and vibration sensing devices found on small vessel machinery installations.LockedSVCE-B.2Propulsive transmission - thrust and shaft bearings, stern tubes, propellersThis lesson distinguishes thrust bearings from shaft bearings and stern tube arrangements, and contrasts fixed-pitch and controllable-pitch propeller construction, monitoring, and inspection requirements relevant to the SV Chief Engineer oral.LockedSVCE-B.3Bilge and ballast pumping systems including pollution prevention equipmentThis lesson covers the selection, operation, and fault diagnosis of bilge pumping systems on small commercial yachts, including the role of the bilge injection valve and the pollution prevention requirements governing oily bilge water discharge under MARPOL Annex I.LockedSVCE-B.4Steering and stabilising systems including bow thrustersCovers the construction, control and maintenance of electro-hydraulic steering gear, fin and tank stabilising systems, and bow thrusters, including pre-departure checks and fault-finding as required for the MCA SV Chief Engineer oral.LockedSVCE-B.5Marine steam plant - operation, control and alarm systemsCovers the operation, control sequences, safety devices, alarm responses, and water-quality management required to safely operate and maintain an auxiliary marine steam plant at Chief Engineer level.Locked
SVCE-B-DSL Diesel Plant in Depth
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.6.1Medium and high-speed diesel engines and gearing arrangementsCovers medium and high-speed diesel engine speed classification, why reduction gearing is necessary, the main gearing arrangements used in sub-3,000 GT propulsion plants, and the operational concerns a Chief Engineer must manage.LockedSVCE-B.6.2Diesel engine starting and reversing systemsThis lesson covers compressed air starting system components and their safety devices, detection and management of leaking air start valves, and the principal methods of engine reversing used in yacht propulsion.LockedSVCE-B.6.3Diesel engine cooling and lubrication systemsCovers the construction, function, and fault diagnosis of diesel engine jacket cooling and lubrication systems as required for the MCA Small Vessel Chief Engineer (<9,000 kW / <3,000 GT) oral examination.LockedSVCE-B.6.4Fuel preparation and injection systemsCovers the fuel preparation train from tank to injection pump and the operating principles of the jerk-type high-pressure injection pump, delivery valve, fuel rack, and governor interaction as tested in the MCA SV Chief Engineer oral.LockedSVCE-B.6.5Starting air systems and compressed air plantCovers the principles, components, safety devices and maintenance requirements of starting air compressors, receivers, manifolds and flame arrestors as fitted in small vessel yacht engine rooms.LockedSVCE-B.6.6Auxiliary engines and generator prime moversCovers auxiliary diesel generator prime movers: matching parameters, the full start/parallel/off-load sequence, synchronising technique, switchboard protection functions, and emergency generator starting methods — all at oral exam pass standard.LockedSVCE-B.6.7Engine automation - control and alarm systemsCovers the logic, hierarchy and practical operation of diesel engine alarm and automatic protective systems, with specific focus on oil mist detection and the candidate's expected response under examination conditions.Locked
SVCE-B-PWR Performance and Fluid Testing
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.7Assessing power output and plant efficiencyThis lesson covers how to systematically assess diesel plant power output and thermal efficiency using indicator diagrams, exhaust temperature comparison, fuel consumption measurement, and turbocharger performance analysis, and how to identify and correct the causes of efficiency loss.LockedSVCE-B.8Testing of fuel, lubricating oil and cooling waterCovers the purpose, method, parameters and interpretation of onboard and laboratory testing of fuel, lubricating oil and closed cooling water, aligned to the SVCE syllabus and MSN 1904.Locked
SVCE-B-ELE Electrical Plant
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.14Alternators, generators, motors, switchgear, batteries and AC/DC distributionCovers the operating principles of AC alternators and DC systems, paralleling procedures, switchboard protection devices, battery maintenance, and motor starting — the core electrical plant knowledge required at SVCE oral level.LockedSVCE-B.15Electrical fault-finding and safe working on electrical systemsCovers systematic electrical fault-finding methodology and the safe isolation, lock-off, and permit-to-work regime required for safe working on yacht electrical systems, aligned to the SVCE-B syllabus.Locked
SVCE-B-MGT Safety Management and the Chief's Duties
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.9COSWP at management level - the Chief's responsibilitiesThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's management-level responsibilities under COSWP, including risk assessment ownership, permit-to-work authority, enclosed space entry procedures, PPE enforcement, and near-miss reporting as required by MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-B.10Types of information issued by the MCA with respect to safety at seaThis lesson distinguishes the four principal types of MCA safety publication — MSNs, MGNs, MINs, and Statutory Instruments — explaining their legal status, purpose, and practical relevance to the Chief Engineer's duties.LockedSVCE-B.11.1The Chief's fire responsibilities - prevention and housekeepingThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's responsibilities for fire prevention and housekeeping in the machinery space, including lagging, drip trays, bilge cleanliness, fuel system integrity, and SMS documentation, underpinned by MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-B.11.2The Chief's fire responsibilities - detection and alarm systemsThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's responsibilities for the operational integrity, routine testing, fault management, and correct alarm response for vessel fire detection and alarm systems, including oil mist detectors, with reference to MSN 1904 safety management obligations.LockedSVCE-B.11.3The Chief's fire responsibilities - fixed fire-fighting installationsCovers the Chief Engineer's responsibilities for fixed fire-fighting installations — primarily CO₂ total-flooding but also high-fog and sprinkler systems — including system principles, pre- and post-activation actions, and ongoing maintenance duties in a small-vessel machinery space context.LockedSVCE-B.11.4The Chief's fire responsibilities - drills, training and fire partiesThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's active responsibilities for fire drills, crew fire training and the organisation of engineering fire parties, framed around the expectations of the MCA small vessel syllabus and SMS obligations under MSN 1904.LockedSVCE-B.11.5The Chief's fire responsibilities - machinery space fire responseThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's sequenced responsibilities and correct actions when responding to a machinery space fire, from UMS alarm activation through fixed-system release to post-event re-entry and reporting.LockedSVCE-B.12Applying and maintaining the ISM Code as Chief EngineerThis lesson covers the ISM Code's structure, the distinction between the DOC and SMC, and the Chief Engineer's specific responsibilities in implementing, maintaining and demonstrating compliance with the SMS during day-to-day operations and external audits.LockedSVCE-B.13UMS operation - procedures and watchkeeper safetyThis lesson covers the procedures and safety obligations governing UMS operation on small vessels, including alarm response, entering the space alone, and the interface with the fixed fire-fighting system.LockedSVCE-B.16The Chief's administration - staff training, repairs, surveys and ClassThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's administrative duties across staff induction and handover, defect and repair authority chains, and the distinction between Flag State statutory surveys and Classification Society obligations.Locked
SVCE-B-SVY Seaworthiness, Survey and Docking
Practice in examiner ↗SVCE-B.17Ensuring seaworthiness before proceeding to seaThis lesson covers the Chief Engineer's duty under MSN 1904 to confirm engineering seaworthiness before every departure, distinguishing that duty from the passive holding of valid statutory certificates.LockedSVCE-B.18Dry docking, hull surveys and repairsThis lesson covers the regulatory and practical basis for dry docking, systematic hull and appendage inspection, tank preparation for hot work, sacrificial anode function, hull steel material requirements, and the chain of authority for approving repairs — all from the Chief Engineer's perspective.Locked