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Nautical Wiki

The study reference for
MCA and Malta deck exams.

Free, interlinked notes and flashcards for officers of the watch and Masters. Written for revision.

Try false echoes · SART · Rule 19 · SOLAS V/19

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  1. Abandon Ship and Survival in a Liferaft

    Who orders abandon ship and the eight steps to leave the vessel, the five immediate actions in a liferaft and the 20-point survival routine of IMO A.657(16) (formerly MGN 77), plus the four survival priorities. A favourite MCA oral question: examiners expect the steps in the right order.

    Safety
    1 Nov 2026
  2. Airway, Breathing and Oxygen Therapy

    How to keep an unconscious casualty's airway open and give oxygen safely on board: Guedel and nasal airways, flow rates and SpO2 targets, cylinder safety, GCS and the recovery position. Core hands-on skills for the MCA medical care exam, where there is no doctor on board.

    Medical
    1 Nov 2026
  3. AIS and VHF in Collision Avoidance

    What AIS is, its Class A and Class B units, the data it sends and how often, how to keep your own AIS data right, and why AIS and VHF must never replace the COLREG (MGN 324). Examiners often ask whether you would trust AIS, or call a ship on VHF, to avoid a collision.

    Navigation
    1 Nov 2026
  4. Bleeding, Shock and IV Fluids

    How to recognise and control bleeding on board (pressure, dressings, tourniquets, neck wounds, amputations), and how to spot and manage shock: circulation checks, haemorrhagic shock classes, IV fluids and drip-rate maths. With no doctor on board, these skills keep a trauma casualty alive until evacuation, and they are core MCA medical care exam material.

    Medical
    1 Nov 2026
  5. Bridge Equipment: SOLAS V/19 Carriage Requirements

    What SOLAS V/19 makes a ship carry on the bridge, step by step from all ships up to 50,000 GT, and how the OOW checks and uses each item: compasses, GNSS, logs, echo sounder, ECDIS, AIS, BNWAS and steering gear. "What must a 500 GT yacht carry?" is a classic MCA oral question.

    Navigation
    1 Nov 2026