Fred, Founder & Trainer
Hi, I’m Fred!
He’s a 6ft ginger that likes boats. A LOT.
Like, in the slightly embarrassing obsessive way.
He also has an obsession with cars and technology.
The Journey
Fred’s marine obsession probably started with his first memory of sitting in his Mum’s laundry basket with two wooden spoons singing “row, row, row your boat.” (Not kidding!) Then at age 5, getting slightly concerned with his laundry addiction, Dad bought him an old sailing dinghy to muck about on the river Clyde; he then sailed for Scotland.
Later, he finished a psychology degree (‘cause that’s what you do to keep one’s parents happy),
next day went straight to UKSA – in winter (very clever…) –and did the typical Yachtmaster zero to hero course.
His bubble burst when he first went to France… he was dock walking when he realised his first job was not going to be a captain of a 40m (like he was told)! So his career started off in sailing, until he passed his OOW, then moved to the dark side –motor. Cha-ching!
At 30, he then passed his Masters. Years later, during his time as relief Captain, he began teaching OOW modules at UKSA. This allowed him to move back ashore with his little family which was great! –And pay tax again (yay). He was talking with his Nav & Radar students here when the idea of courses began. Let’s face it, –EVERYONE was frustrated how nothing had evolved in 40 years, –and he wanted to do something about it.
Thus… “Fred Wilson Marine” was born.
Of course, now we always go by our very apt & ridiculous(ly funny) nickname, “Fred’s Oral Prep,” dubbed as such by Fred’s awesome students. And yes, we know how it sounds, –but it’s actually fine with us if it’s okay with you.
⚠️ BE ADVISED
He does come with a warning label though.
His spelling is admittedly awful, and he still sings the ABCs in his head to remember which letter comes next.
He’s NOT the type of person you put on speakerphone.
He has a “serious” relationship with technology and cars.
No one can seem to read his handwriting.
He’s scared of his wife, Emma, sometimes. (All the time? 🤔)
The Crew calls him crazy …until they find out he’s right.
He drinks red wine solely for YOUR protection. (Kidding... Mostly.)
Fred’s System
Philosophy
He believes in the simple principle, “you don’t know what you don’t know.” This idea is central to his approach. On-demand revision courses that only cover selected parts of the MCA syllabus risk leaving gaps in what students need to know for the exam. His system ensures comprehensive coverage of 100% of the MCA OOW and Masters syllabus. It is meticulously designed to help students efficiently revise a vast amount of content within a limited timeframe.
Crafted on Scientific Principles to Optimise Learning
Preparing for your Oral exam requires revising a significant amount of content in a finite amount of time—no small task! His background in psychology has allowed him to develop a course that integrates scientific principles to maximize your chances of passing under exam pressure. This includes not only the content but also a variety of learning resources and a carefully sequenced approach to revising and building upon your knowledge effectively.
Opportunities to Practice Speaking
Articulating your knowledge under exam pressure is crucial. He offers weekly Sunday webinars where you can get live practice answering oral exam-style questions and learn from fellow attendees. Due to popular demand, he now also offers invitation-only Wednesday Webinars for OOW and Master 3000 students who are in the final stages of exam preparation and have demonstrated commitment and aptitude in the Sunday webinars.
During the Sunday webinars, he also sets up study buddies to create a Q&A environment and provides additional support throughout your revision journey.
Know Thy Examiner
He makes it a priority to stay updated on the current board of MCA examiners, understanding that their experience and backgrounds can subtly influence the types of questions they might ask. This knowledge helps him tailor his courses to accommodate a wide range of examiner experiences and preferences, rather than focusing on a single examiner’s style. This way, you’ll be well-prepared regardless of who is on the panel on your exam day.