Ocean waves with cloudy sky in the background

Our Mission Statement

Competence Across the Vessel

At Sea of Competency (SeaOC), our mission is to provide the definitive resource for UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) preparation. We exist to bridge the gap between academic theory and operational reality, helping candidates across Deck, Engine, ETO, and Small Vessel disciplines secure their licenses and ensure the safety of life at sea.

Our Core Objectives:

  • Comprehensive Exam Preparation: To provide rigorous MCA oral and written exam guidance that dismantles the silos between departments. We support Deck Officers navigating the bridge, Marine Engineers managing the engine room, and Electro-technical Officers (ETOs) maintaining high-voltage systems.

  • Regulatory Compliance: To align all study materials with the STCW Convention and MCA standards. This encompasses STCW Chapter II (Deck), Chapter III (Engine), and the specific codes for Small Vessel safety, ensuring you meet the requirements of examiners and surveyors.

  • Professional Mentorship: To coach candidates in the precise technical communication required for MCA oral exams, ensuring answers demonstrate the command expected of a senior officer.

  • Safety & Legislation: To embed the principles of SOLAS and MARPOL into every answer. We prepare maritime professionals not just to pass their competency exams, but to manage risk and pollution prevention effectively in a global fleet.

A pristine, high-tech superyacht engine room featuring chrome piping and MTU engines. Represents the high operational standards required for UK Certificate of Competency (CoC) and marine engineering excellence.

Who We Support

We recognise that a safe and efficient vessel relies on the seamless integration of all departments. SeaOC provides targeted resources for the four pillars of modern vessel operation.

Deck Department

From Officer of the Watch (OOW) to Master, we support the bridge team in mastering the complexities of navigation, cargo operations, and ship stability. Our resources cover STCW Chapter II requirements, focusing on:

  • Passage Planning & Navigation: COLREGs application and ECDIS management.

  • Legal & Administrative: Understanding SOLAS, MARPOL, and UK flag state regulations.

  • Emergency Response: Crisis management and leadership scenarios for MCA orals.

Engine Department

For Marine Engineers seeking Class 4 through to Class 1 Chief Engineer CoCs. We break down the heavy engineering concepts found in STCW Chapter III into operational logic.

  • Systems Engineering: Detailed analysis of propulsion, auxiliary machinery, and steam plants.

  • Regulatory Compliance: Detailed breakdowns of Annexes, Codes, and statutory surveys.

  • Fault Finding: logical approaches to breakdown and repair scenarios.

Electro-Technical Officers

As vessels become increasingly automated, the ETO is critical to ship safety. We provide dedicated support for the specific challenges faced by high-voltage and systems engineers.

  • High Voltage Systems: Safety protocols and operational switching.

  • Automation & Control: Logic circuits, instrumentation, and PMS (Power Management Systems).

  • Maintenance: Troubleshooting complex electronic failures in a marine environment.

Small Vessel - EOOW & Chief Engineer

The Small Vessel (SV) framework requires a distinct set of competencies compared to the unlimited tonnage fleet. We specialise in the specific MCA requirements for yachts, tugs, and workboats (under 3000 GT / 9000 kW).

  • SV Engineering: Specifics of the "Y4/Y3" and the new SV operational streams.

  • Code Compliance: Navigating the REG Yacht Code and Workboat Code.

  • Versatility: Addressing the multi-role nature of officers on smaller crews.