Maritime English · for seafarers
Maritime English test (Marlins-style)
A free practice test for seafarers and cadets: parts of the ship, ranks, Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP), numbers and grammar in work situations. 20 questions, each answer explained.
- 20 questions
- Level A2–B2
- Every answer explained
- No sign-up
Maritime English: a practice test for seafarers
Choose the right option — you’ll instantly see if you got it and why. Your score comes after the last question.
Question 1.
Looking forward, the right-hand side of a ship is called (blank).
Choose the right option
Starboard is the right-hand side when facing the bow; port is the left-hand side, and the stern is the back of the ship.
Question 2.
The front part of a ship is the (blank).
Choose the right option
The bow is the front of the ship, the stern is the back, and a deck is a floor of the ship.
Question 3.
The cook prepares the crew’s meals in the (blank).
Choose the right option
The galley is the ship’s kitchen. The bridge is where the ship is navigated from, and the hold is where cargo is carried.
Question 4.
The officer of the watch navigates the ship from the (blank).
Choose the right option
The bridge is where the ship is steered and navigated. The engine room holds the machinery, and the mess room is where the crew eats.
Question 5.
The depth of a ship’s hull below the waterline is its (blank).
Choose the right option
Draught (American draft) is the depth below the waterline. Freeboard is the height of the hull above the water, and beam is the ship’s width.
Question 6.
A ship’s speed is measured in (blank).
Choose the right option
Speed at sea is measured in knots: one knot is one nautical mile (1,852 m) per hour. Our speed is twelve knots.
Question 7.
A ship is sinking and needs immediate help. The radio call begins with “(blank)”.
Choose the right option
Mayday (said three times) is the distress signal: the ship or people are in grave danger and need immediate help. Pan-Pan is urgency, Sécurité is safety.
Question 8.
A crew member is seriously injured, but the ship is not in danger. The urgency call begins with “(blank)”.
Choose the right option
Pan-Pan is the urgency signal: an important message (an injury, a breakdown) without immediate danger to the ship. Mayday is only for grave and immediate danger.
Question 9.
A coast station broadcasts a gale warning to all ships. The message begins with “(blank)”.
Choose the right option
Sécurité (pronounced “say-cure-ee-tay”) begins a safety message, such as a gale warning or a navigational warning.
Question 10.
You did not hear the last message clearly. In standard radio phrases you ask: “(blank).”
Choose the right option
In the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) you ask for a repetition with Say again. Repeat is used when you repeat an important part of your own message.
Question 11.
You have finished speaking and expect a reply. You end with “(blank).”
Choose the right option
Over means “I have finished, please reply”. Out means “the conversation is finished, no reply”. Over and out contradicts itself.
Question 12.
A crew member has fallen into the sea. You shout: “(blank)!”
Choose the right option
Man overboard! means someone has fallen into the water. Abandon ship is the order to leave the ship, and All hands on deck calls the whole crew up.
Question 13.
When the general alarm sounds, all crew must go to their (blank).
Choose the right option
A muster station is where you assemble when the alarm sounds; it is shown on the muster list and on the card in your cabin.
Question 14.
The (blank) is in charge of the deck crew and reports to the Chief Officer.
Choose the right option
The bosun (boatswain) leads the deck crew. An oiler works in the engine room, and a steward looks after the accommodation and meals.
Question 15.
The senior officer in charge of the engine department is the (blank).
Choose the right option
The Chief Engineer runs the engine department. The Chief Officer (Chief Mate) is the Master’s deputy on deck, and the Second Officer is usually the navigating officer.
Question 16.
On the radio, the course 090° is said: “My course (blank) degrees.”
Choose the right option
In SMCP numbers are spoken digit by digit, and a course always has three figures: zero-nine-zero degrees.
Question 17.
We (blank) all the cargo, so the ship is ready to sail.
Choose the right option
We report a result that matters now (the ship is ready) with no time given, so we use the Present Perfect: We have loaded the cargo.
Question 18.
The lifeboats (blank) every week by the Third Officer.
Choose the right option
The lifeboats do not inspect anything — someone inspects them. A regular action done to something takes the Present Simple passive: are inspected.
Question 19.
You (blank) wear a safety harness when you work aloft.
Choose the right option
A safety rule is an obligation, so we use must. Might expresses possibility, and needn’t means it is not necessary.
Question 20.
The main engine stopped while we (blank) the strait.
Choose the right option
A longer action in progress interrupted by a short event takes the Past Continuous: while we were crossing the strait.
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Take the level testMaritime English: what to know before Marlins
Marlins tests general English in a maritime context: grammar, vocabulary, numbers and time, reading and listening. Here is what learners get wrong most often.
Parts of the ship
The bow is the front, the stern is the back, port is the left side and starboard the right; the bridge is where the ship is navigated, the galley is the kitchen, plus the engine room, the hold and the accommodation.
The pilot ladder is rigged on the starboard side.
The ladder for the pilot is on the right-hand side.
Report to the bridge immediately.
Come to the bridge right now.
Ranks on board
Master, Chief Officer (Chief Mate), Second and Third Officer, Chief Engineer, Bosun, AB (Able Seaman) and OS (Ordinary Seaman), Oiler, Cook.
The Chief Officer is responsible for cargo operations.
Cargo is the Chief Officer’s job.
The bosun gave the ABs their tasks for the day.
The bosun leads the deck crew.
Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
The IMO standard phrases are short and unambiguous. Numbers are spoken digit by digit, a course always has three figures, and a message can start with a marker: QUESTION, ANSWER, INSTRUCTION, ADVICE, REQUEST, INFORMATION, WARNING, INTENTION.
My course zero-four-five degrees.
My course is 045°.
QUESTION. What is your ETA at the pilot station?
When do you expect to arrive at the pilot station?
Grammar in work situations
The Present Perfect reports a result (We have completed loading), the passive describes procedures and checks (The lifeboats are inspected weekly), must and mustn’t state safety rules.
The engine has been repaired.
Someone has repaired the engine; it works now.
You mustn’t smoke near the fuel tanks.
Smoking near the fuel tanks is forbidden.
Typical mistakes
Things learners of English often say. On the left — what to avoid, on the right — the correct version.
Not this:
Repeat, please.This: Say again.
In SMCP Repeat means “I am repeating something important”; to ask for a repetition, say Say again.
Not this:
Over and out.This: Out.
Over means “please reply”, Out means “the conversation is over”. Together they contradict each other.
Not this:
My course is ninety degrees.This: My course zero-nine-zero degrees.
A course is given in three figures, digit by digit.
Not this:
We have loaded the cargo yesterday.This: We loaded the cargo yesterday.
With a finished time in the past (yesterday, at 10:00) use the Past Simple, not the Present Perfect.
FAQ
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a request — we’ll tell you everything.
Is this the official Marlins test?
No. It is a free Slay School practice test with our own Marlins-style questions: it helps you check yourself and see your weak points. We are not connected with Marlins; the real test is taken at approved test centres.
What does Marlins test?
General English in a maritime context: grammar, vocabulary (general and maritime), numbers and time, reading and listening. The result is shown as a percentage, and the score you need is set by the crewing agency or the shipowner.
Where can I find the Marlins answers?
The official Marlins questions are not published, so “answers” online are mostly other people’s practice tests. It is more reliable to practise on similar tasks: in this test every answer comes with an explanation.
Who is this test for?
Seafarers and cadets preparing for Marlins or an interview with a crewing agency, and anyone learning maritime English. The level is roughly A2–B2.
What if my score is low?
Read the rule and the common mistakes below the test and take it again. General English — grammar and speaking, which you need to pass Marlins — is easier to improve with a teacher: the first lesson at Slay School is free.
Modern professions
- A2–B1
Maritime English Quiz: Radio Communication (SMCP)
Mayday or Pan-Pan, Say again, Over and Out, message markers and numbers on the radio.
- A2–B1
Maritime English Quiz: Safety on Board
Alarms, life-saving equipment, man overboard, fire and flooding, and the grammar of reports.
- A2–B2
English for IT Quiz: Words and Phrases
Development, teamwork and AI vocabulary and the grammar of IT work situations.
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