SSS and SHS: offshore and ocean skipper exams

01

The SSS/SHS syllabus instead of a question catalogue

Unlike SBF, radio certificates and FKN, SSS and SHS do not have an official catalogue of individual questions. The examinations are set from the official syllabus. Serious preparation therefore has to cover the subject systematically rather than memorise a fixed sequence of questions.

A future Keelwake implementation must structure the learning material around those official subjects. It needs to separate SSS and SHS where scope and examination format differ, while keeping shared foundations such as navigation, maritime law and weather together.

02

How the SSS and SHS exams work

The SSS written examination comprises four subjects:

• Navigation — 120 minutes
• Seamanship — 45 minutes
• Maritime law — 60 minutes
• Meteorology — 45 minutes

The SSS also includes a practical examination of up to 90 minutes per candidate. The SHS written examination covers navigation for 150 minutes, maritime law for 45 minutes and meteorology for 45 minutes. Sextant handling takes another 10 minutes and is not included in the navigation time. Yacht handling is examined orally for 15 minutes.

03

Marking and passing the exam

Each written subject is assessed separately. Passing requires 65% of the maximum score in each subject. If a written result reaches at least 55% but remains below 65%, an additional oral examination in that subject may be required.

For SSS, the practical examination must also be passed; an insufficient mandatory task means the practical part is failed. SHS includes the mandatory oral examination in yacht handling in addition to the written subjects and sextant exercise.

04

Topics in the official syllabus

• Navigation — terrestrial and electronic navigation, route planning and, for SHS, celestial navigation
• Maritime law — collision regulations, responsibilities, shipping law and international rules
• Meteorology — weather systems, forecasts, routing and severe-weather decisions
• Seamanship and yacht handling — vessel management, safety, emergency procedures and leadership

These areas are learned separately and then brought together in realistic decisions. That mirrors the examination more closely than an undifferentiated question list.

05

Availability in Keelwake

SSS and SHS are not currently available in the Keelwake trainer. The exams follow the official syllabus; there is no official question catalogue.

Official sourceELWIS guidelines for SSS and SHS examinations

06

Frequently asked questions