The U.K. government’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency visited Fort Lauderdale during the first week of April, undertaking the oral examinations required in order to attain a U.K. MCA Certificate of Competence. The MCA’s Chief Examiner and Head of Seafarer Services and Ship Registration, Captain Roger Towner, conducted the examinations himself. Oral exams are required by the MCA in addition to completion of all of the MCA training courses. They can last up to two hours during which time the examiner can ask the candidate anything that is on the syllabus. “The candidates worked extremely hard, several having rushed from their busy lives aboard yachts, straight into the classroom for oral preparation”, said Jim Cartlidge IYT’s Head of Training.