- STCW II/1pathway for officer-in-charge of a navigational watch candidatesMARINA Circular SC-2021-03
- STCW II/2management-level pathway for masters and chief matesMARINA Circular SC-2021-03
- 30 questionsin the unofficial practice mock
- 25 minutesto complete that practice mock
- 24 correctthe practice pass mark
The essentialsA reviewer built around the watchkeeper's view
This is an independent supporting reviewer for Filipino candidates preparing for officer-in-charge of a navigational watch certification under STCW II/1, and for masters and chief mates studying at management level under STCW II/2. It brings the rules of the road, vessel lights and shapes, sound signals and IALA buoyage into one revision routine. It is not the official MARINA reviewer or a substitute for the full certification process.
What this revision gives youBuild the whole collision-avoidance picture
The most useful habit is to connect lookout, safe speed and risk of collision with the action required in overtaking, head-on and crossing situations. Keep restricted visibility separate from encounters where vessels are in sight of one another. Then use a light pattern, sound signal or buoy to practise saying what the vessel's status means and what you would do next.
With this reviewer, you can
- Revise COLREG, vessel lights and shapes, sound signals and IALA buoyage together
- Use the Lights & Shapes hub's 3D viewer to connect a light pattern with a vessel's status
- Take topic practice tests and an unofficial mock without signing in
What it cannot do for you
- Replace MARINA examination, assessment, training or certification requirements
- Serve as an official MARINA reviewer
- Confirm a verified MARINA oral question bank or a separate oral paper for every candidate
Who it servesPut the reviewer in the right training context
- Use it if you are preparing for officer-in-charge of a navigational watch certification under STCW II/1
- Use it if you are a master or chief mate studying at management level under STCW II/2
- Keep your approved course and MARINA instructions beside your revision for the full certification requirements
A steady study routineHow to make the reviewer work for you
- Start with the COLREG hub
Read each rule lesson before testing yourself, and use the hub's printable summary link for the COLREG PDF.
- Make lights visual
Use the Lights & Shapes hub's 3D viewer to connect a light pattern with a vessel's status.
- Add signals and marks
Practise sound signals and IALA marks so you can recognise them as part of a complete situation.
- Test, then explain
Take the topic practice tests and the mock, then explain your mistakes aloud without looking at the answers.
- Follow the official route
Use MARINA's published circulars and your approved training provider for official examination, assessment and certification instructions.
The mock at a glanceA short, unofficial practice run
| Practice setting | Format |
|---|---|
| Questions | 30 |
| Time allowed | 25 minutes |
| Practice pass mark | 24 correct answers |
| What it is | Website practice, not MARINA's examination format or official pass mark |
The practical verdict
Why it is useful
- It puts rules of the road, lights, sound signals and buoyage into one revision routine
- It encourages you to explain a safe response, not simply recognise a pattern
- The supporting study resources do not require sign-in
Keep in mind
- It is independent supporting study, not the official MARINA reviewer
- Its mock format and pass mark are website settings, not MARINA's official format or pass mark
- It cannot replace approved training, assessment or certification instructions
Use this reviewer when you want your collision-avoidance revision to feel connected and practical. Keep the official MARINA circulars and your approved course as the guide to the certification route itself.
Collision-avoidance topics to revise
Free supporting practice
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Practice questions (with answers)
In IALA Region A, the port-hand mark colour is:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Red, usually can-shaped
Region A: port-hand red, starboard-hand green. Region B: port-hand green, starboard-hand red. Interpret both in the charted conventional direction of buoyage.
A North Cardinal mark indicates safe water lies to the:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. North of the mark
Cardinal marks indicate safe water lies on the named side: North cardinal = pass to the north.
An isolated danger mark indicates:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. A danger with navigable water all around
An isolated danger mark is on or near a danger with navigable water around it. Consult charts and nautical publications for the extent of the danger and safe passing distance.
Compliance with the COLREGs:
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Does not exonerate a vessel from the consequences of neglecting good seamanship
Rule 2(a) states nothing in the rules exonerates any vessel from the consequences of neglecting good seamanship.
A 'vessel not under command' (NUC) is one that:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Through exceptional circumstances cannot manoeuvre as required and therefore cannot keep out of another vessel's way
Rule 3(f) requires both inability to manoeuvre as required because of exceptional circumstances and consequent inability to keep out of another vessel's way.
A proper look-out requires the use of:
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Sight, hearing and all available means appropriate to the conditions
Rule 5 requires look-out by sight AND hearing as well as by all available means appropriate to the circumstances.
Which factor is NOT listed in Rule 6 for determining safe speed?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Vessel's commercial schedule
Rule 6 lists visibility, traffic density, manoeuvrability, etc. Commercial schedule is never a factor in safe speed determination.
You sight a cardinal mark with both cones pointing down and a light showing six quick flashes followed by one long flash. What is the safe action?
Show answer
Correct answer: C. Pass south of the mark
Two cones down and the 6+1 light rhythm identify a South Cardinal mark, meaning the safe water lies to the south of the mark.
The full guide
This MARINA COLREG reviewer helps you revise collision avoidance for deck officer study in the Philippines, with free lessons and unofficial practice.
Study the rules of the road, vessel lights and shapes, sound signals and IALA buoyage together: recognise the situation, identify the applicable rule and explain a safe response.
MARINA, RA 10635 and deck officer certification
Republic Act No. 10635 establishes MARINA as the single maritime administration responsible for implementing and enforcing the STCW Convention in the Philippines. MARINA Circular SC-2021-03 addresses certification for masters, chief mates and officers in charge of a navigational watch under Chapter II.
MARINA's published guidance distinguishes theoretical examination from practical assessment. Prepare the collision-avoidance knowledge alongside its application on watch; this website covers supporting study, not the full certification process.
Rules of the road: written revision and spoken explanations
For your written revision, connect lookout, safe speed and risk of collision with the action required in overtaking, head-on and crossing situations. Keep restricted visibility separate from encounters where vessels are in sight of one another. Read the rule before memorising a short answer.
For spoken practice, ask a study partner to show a light pattern, sound signal or buoy and ask what it means. Explain the vessel's status, the relevant rule and your next action. These are study prompts, not a verified MARINA oral question bank or a claim that every candidate takes a separate oral paper.
An unofficial practice mock
Our mock uses 30 questions, 25 minutes and a practice pass mark of 24 correct answers. These are this website's settings, not MARINA's examination format, official pass mark or evidence of professional competence.
Who this reviewer is for
For Filipino candidates preparing for officer-in-charge of a navigational watch (OIC-NW) certification under STCW II/1, and masters and chief mates studying at management level under STCW II/2. Use your approved course and MARINA instructions for the full certification requirements.
How to use this free reviewer
Start at the COLREG hub and read each rule lesson. Use the Lights & Shapes hub's 3D viewer to connect a light pattern with a vessel's status, then practise sound signals and IALA marks. Follow the COLREG hub's printable summary link for the COLREG PDF. Take the topic practice tests and this guide's mock, then explain your mistakes aloud without looking at the answers. No sign-in is needed for these study resources.
Start with the free study hubs
MARINA COLREG reviewer: questions
- Is this the official MARINA reviewer?
- No. This is independent supporting study. Use MARINA's published circulars and your approved training provider for official examination, assessment and certification instructions.
- Who are OIC-NW and management-level candidates?
- OIC-NW means officer in charge of a navigational watch, associated with STCW II/1. The management-level deck pathway covers masters and chief mates under STCW II/2. Follow the requirements for your own certificate.
- What does RA 10635 do?
- It establishes MARINA as the Philippines' single maritime administration responsible for implementation and enforcement of the STCW Convention and related international agreements.
- How can I practise rules of the road aloud?
- Describe an encounter, identify whether the vessels are in sight or in restricted visibility, state the applicable rule and explain your action. Add light and sound recognition. These are revision exercises, not official oral questions.
- Where can I study lights, buoyage and the COLREG PDF?
- Open the linked Lights & Shapes and IALA hubs for visual study, and Sound Signals for signal lessons. The COLREG hub links to individual rules and the printable COLREG summary with PDF access.
- Does passing this mock qualify me as a deck officer?
- No. Its 30-question, 25-minute format and 24-answer pass mark are our practice settings. It does not replace MARINA examination, assessment, training or certification requirements.
Other exams
Reviewed by Ramon Curto, Nautical teacher at IECNPC · Last reviewed: