Maritime English Test for Cruise Ship Staff - American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Approved

Introduction

This Maritime English Test has been specifically designed for non-crew members of Cruise Ships, such as stewards, cleaners, bar staff, entertainment, and general staff. These persons must possess a good standard of English in order to both communicate with the passengers and crew members on board, but also understand emergency communications used in the maritime environment. The VIRSEC Maritime English Test (MET) for Non-Crew Members of Cruise Ships is designed to assist Ship Operators and employers make recruiting and training decisions by assessing the English language understanding and skills of personnel in the position they are applying to fulfil.

About the Test

The fully online, American Bureau of Shipping (ABS) Approved, Maritime English Test for Non-Crew Members of Cruise Ships designed to assist Ship Operators and employers make recruiting and training decisions by assessing the English language understanding and skills of non-crew members. The Test is also useful for any person wishing to pursue a career at sea in the Cruise Ship and Passenger Ship Sectors, to prove their English language competence to prospective employers. The online Test is designed around the approved guidelines for Maritime English developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and are combined with internationally recognised methods for English language testing to form a rigorous and accurate testing system for use in the maritime sector. Delegates will first receive an explanation of the Tests, then take part in a short sample test to demonstrate how it works. They will then take part in the actual timed Official Maritime English Test and receive a final score upon successful completion, they are awarded a certificate to demonstrate their pass score.

Regulations & Codes Addressed

The English Tests are designed from the ground up using approved guidelines from the International Maritime Organisation (IMO Model English Course 3.17); IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCPs); and consistent with the functional framework set out by the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).

Target Audience & Level

The VIRSEC Maritime English Test for Non-Crew Members of Cruise Ships is designed to assess candidates’ English language competence between the levels of ‘Beginner’ and ‘Elementary’ (CEFR (Europe): A1 to A2 and ILR (United States): Level 0 to 1).

Test Contents

Listening questions consist of 40% of the total test questions and are designed to be context rich and to simulate real-world scenarios, including sound effects such as storm-noises, radio interference & static and international accents. Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCPs) are used throughout the tests, and listening questions feature VHF and hand-held radio, training briefings, emergency PA broadcasts, and face-to-face crew encounters.

Subjects

• Comprehension of spoken and written commands
• General communication with passengers and crew
• Understanding the areas of a ship
• Medical and fire emergencies, first aid & firefighting
• Comprehension of spoken and written commands
• General communication with passengers and crew