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Fred’s Tips
Fred's tips for MCA oral exam prep guide you through every step of your certification journey, from initial application to passing your oral exams.
Using AI to Prepare for Your MCA Oral Exam? Read This First
I love AI, but it gets MCA oral topics wrong more often than you’d think. Here’s what to watch out for, and how to use it safely when you’re preparing for your exam.
MCA Oral Exam Pass Rates - Let’s Talk About Those 99% Claims!
Seen a training provider advertising a 99% pass rate? Here are the MCA’s own oral exam pass rates for 2022 to 2025, how my students compare, and why you should always ask how a pass rate is calculated.
My New Crew Portal - Keeping you on track for your MCA Oral Exam
Introducing my new Crew Portal! Designed to keep you on track for your MCA oral exam, with personalised study plans, progress tracking, study buddies and AI-powered insights from over 2,000 past exam reports. Smarter preparation, better support and everything you need in one place!
What to do if your MCA Examiner does not show up
You log in early. You are ready. Then… nothing. Here is what to do if you cannot connect to your MCA oral examiner on Microsoft Teams.
Deck Progression to Yacht Unlimited CoC’s - It’s Official!
The MCA has officially confirmed the new Yacht Unlimited CoC pathway — a long-awaited step forward for yacht officers. For years, crew hit a ceiling at Master 3000, but that’s changing fast. With LY3 removing the 3,000 GT cap and yachts only getting bigger, this new ticket opens the door to larger vessels without switching to commercial routes. Time to dust off those plotting tools — it’s official!
Monaco Boat Show 2024: Crew Catch-Up’s & Certification News
Heard the rumours? “Master of Yachts Unlimited” may soon be a reality. Here’s what I discovered stepping back into the world of superyachts and boat shows - plus a few beers and crew catch-ups along the way.