SALVO GROUP MARLIN TEST PREPARATION

🎧 Marlin Test - Listening (20 minutes)

Time Remaining: 20:00

Instructions: You will hear maritime-related conversations and announcements. Select the best answer for each question. Each audio is played once.

Maritime Context: The Marlin Test listening section focuses on shipboard communications, port operations, safety procedures, and maritime industry conversations.

Part 1: Photographs (Questions 1-4)

Directions: Look at the picture and listen to the four statements. Choose the statement that best describes what you see in the picture.

Question 1

[Photo: Crew members wearing safety helmets and life jackets on deck of a cargo ship]

Audio Track 1

Ready

(A) The workers are repairing the engine room
(B) The ship is docked at the port
(C) The crew members are wearing safety equipment on deck
(D) The cargo is being unloaded by cranes

(A) The workers are repairing the engine room

(B) The ship is docked at the port

(D) The cargo is being unloaded by cranes

Question 2

[Photo: Container being loaded onto a vessel by gantry crane at terminal]

Audio Track 2

Ready

(A) The captain is navigating through rough seas
(B) A container is being lifted by the port crane
(C) The ship is sailing in open waters
(D) Passengers are boarding the vessel

(A) The captain is navigating through rough seas

(B) A container is being lifted by the port crane

(D) Passengers are boarding the vessel

Part 2: Question-Response (Questions 5-15)

Directions: You will hear a question or statement and three responses. Select the best response.

Question 5

Question: "Where is the lifeboat station located?"

Ready

(A) The lifeboat is orange in color
(B) It's on the starboard side of deck B
(C) The station was built last year

(A) The lifeboat is orange in color

(B) It's on the starboard side of deck B

Question 6

Statement: "The weather forecast predicts heavy storms tomorrow."

Ready

(A) I enjoy sunny weather
(B) The forecast is always wrong
(C) We should secure all deck equipment then

(A) I enjoy sunny weather

(B) The forecast is always wrong

Question 7

Question: "Who is responsible for checking the fire extinguishers?"

Ready

(A) The safety officer inspects them monthly
(B) They are stored in the corridor
(C) Fire safety is very important

(A) The safety officer inspects them monthly

(B) They are stored in the corridor

Part 3: Short Conversations (Questions 16-30)

Directions: You will hear short conversations between two speakers. Answer the questions about what the speakers say.

Conversation 1: Bridge and Engine Room (Questions 16-18)

Ready

Bridge: Engine room, this is the bridge. We need to reduce speed to 12 knots. There's a fishing vessel ahead of us.

Engine Room: Roger, bridge. Reducing to 12 knots. Should I prepare for full stop?

Bridge: Not yet, just standby. The fishing boat seems to be moving northeast. We'll monitor the situation.

Engine Room: Understood. Engine speed reduced to 12 knots. Standing by for further instructions.

Bridge: Thank you. Keep the engines ready. We might need to maneuver in the next 10 minutes.

Question 16

Why does the bridge want to reduce speed?

(A) To save fuel

(B) To enter the port

(D) Due to engine problems

Question 17

What speed does the engine room reduce to?

(A) 10 knots

(B) 12 knots

(D) Full stop

Question 18

What direction is the fishing boat moving?

(A) Northeast

(B) Northwest

(D) Southwest

Your Listening Score

Correct Answers

0/8

Proficiency Level

Listening Answer Key:

Part 1 (Photos): 1-C, 2-B

Part 2 (Q-R): 5-B, 6-C, 7-A

Part 3 (Conversations): 16-C, 17-B, 18-A

Explanations:

Q1: Photo shows crew in safety gear on deck - C is correct
Q2: Photo shows container loading - B is correct
Q5: Only B answers "where" question with location
Q6: C is appropriate maritime response to weather warning
Q7: A directly answers "who" with specific responsibility
Q16: Bridge explicitly states "fishing vessel ahead"
Q17: Engine room confirms "12 knots" twice
Q18: Bridge mentions "northeast" direction

✍️ Marlin Test - Grammar (20 minutes)

Time Remaining: 20:00

Instructions: Select the correct word or phrase to complete each sentence. Focus on maritime context and standard English grammar.

Maritime Context: Grammar questions test your ability to use correct tenses, prepositions, articles, and maritime terminology in shipboard and port situations.

Grammar Section (Questions 31-60)

Question 31

The captain _______ the ship since 2015.

(A) command

(B) commanded

(D) commanding

Question 32

All crew members _______ report to the muster station immediately.

(A) must to

(B) must

(D) musting

Question 33

The cargo _______ by the stevedores when the rain started.

(A) is unloading

(B) was unload

(D) was being unloaded

Question 34

______ the vessel arrives at the port, the pilot will board.

(A) When

(B) During

(D) As soon

Question 35

There _______ enough life jackets for all passengers on board.

(A) is

(B) be

(D) being

Question 36

The chief engineer asked the mechanic _______ the pump immediately.

(A) repair

(B) to repair

(D) repaired

Question 37

______ you finish the maintenance checklist, please sign it.

(A) Once

(B) Until

(D) Although

Question 38

The ship _______ in Hamburg before it sailed to Singapore.

(A) has loaded

(B) loads

(D) had loaded

Your Grammar Score

Correct Answers

0/8

Proficiency Level

Grammar Answer Key:

31-C, 32-B, 33-D, 34-A, 35-C, 36-B, 37-A, 38-D

Explanations:

Q31: "Since 2015" requires present perfect tense
Q32: "Must" is a modal verb, no "to" needed after
Q33: Past continuous passive (was being + past participle)
Q34: "When" introduces a time clause for future
Q35: "Jackets" plural requires "are"
Q36: "Ask someone to do something" - infinitive required
Q37: "Once" means "as soon as" - correct time conjunction
Q38: Past perfect for action completed before another past action

📝 Grammar Tips for Marlin Test:

Tenses: Pay attention to time markers (since, for, before, after)
Modal verbs: Must, should, have to (no 'to' after must/should)
Passive voice: Common in maritime (is being loaded, was repaired)
Prepositions: On board, at sea, in port, to starboard
Conditionals: If + present, will + verb (first conditional)

📚 Marlin Test - Vocabulary (15 minutes)

Time Remaining: 15:00

Instructions: Select the word or phrase that is closest in meaning to the underlined word, or complete the sentence with the appropriate maritime term.

Maritime Context: Vocabulary questions focus on nautical terms, ship parts, navigation, safety equipment, and standard maritime English (SMCP).

Vocabulary Section (Questions 61-90)

Question 61

The ship's bow is damaged.

"Bow" means:

(A) Rear part of the ship

(B) Front part of the ship

(D) Upper deck

Question 62

We need to moor the vessel at pier 5.

"Moor" means:

(A) Clean the deck

(B) Speed up the engine

(D) Lower the anchor

Question 63

The _______ is used to communicate with other ships and port authorities.

(A) radio

(B) anchor

(D) propeller

Question 64

The officer checked the logbook to review the ship's position.

"Logbook" is a:

(A) Safety equipment

(B) Navigation tool

(D) Record of ship's activities

Question 65

______ the ship to change direction.

(A) Anchor

(B) Helm

(D) Board

Question 66

The galley is where the crew prepares meals.

"Galley" means:

(A) Engine room

(B) Storage room

(D) Dining area

Question 67

In an emergency, put on your _______ and proceed to the muster station.

(A) life jacket

(B) uniform

(D) boots

Question 68

The ship is listing to port due to uneven cargo distribution.

"Port" in this context means:

(A) A harbor

(B) A city

(D) The left side of the ship

Your Vocabulary Score

Correct Answers

0/8

Proficiency Level

Vocabulary Answer Key:

61-B, 62-C, 63-A, 64-D, 65-B, 66-C, 67-A, 68-D

Explanations:

Q61: Bow = front, Stern = rear, Port = left, Starboard = right
Q62: Moor = tie/secure ship to dock (different from anchor)
Q63: Radio is communication equipment
Q64: Logbook records navigation, weather, incidents, drills
Q65: Helm = steering mechanism/wheel
Q66: Galley = ship's kitchen (mess room = dining area)
Q67: Life jacket is emergency flotation device
Q68: Port = left side when facing bow (remember: "port wine is red, left side has red light")

📖 Essential Maritime Vocabulary:

Directions: Bow (front), Stern (rear), Port (left), Starboard (right)
Deck: Bridge, Poop deck, Forecastle, Main deck
Equipment: Compass, Radar, GPS, EPIRB, Sextant
Safety: Lifeboat, Liferaft, Flare, Distress signal, Abandon ship
Operations: Berth, Anchorage, Pilotage, Tugboat, Fender

🎤 Marlin Test - Speaking (10 minutes)

Instructions: You will be asked questions about maritime situations. Record your responses clearly. Speak for 30-60 seconds per question.

Maritime Context: Speaking test assesses your ability to communicate in standard maritime English using SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) and handle shipboard situations.

Part 1: Personal Information & Routine (Questions 91-95)

Question 91

Introduce yourself. Tell us about:

Your name and nationality
Your rank/position on board
Your experience at sea
Type of vessels you have worked on

Record your answer (30-60 seconds)

Click to start recording

Sample Answer (Good):

"Good morning. My name is Ahmad bin Ismail. I am from Indonesia. I am a Third Officer working with ABC Shipping Company. I have four years of experience at sea. I have worked on container ships and bulk carriers. My main responsibilities include navigation watches, safety equipment maintenance, and cargo operations. I hold a valid STCW certificate and GMDSS license. Thank you."

Part 2: Situational Response (Questions 96-100)

Question 96 - Emergency Situation

Situation: You are the duty officer on the bridge. A crew member reports smoke coming from the engine room. What do you do?

Describe your actions step by step using SMCP.

Record your answer (60 seconds)

Click to start recording

Sample Answer (Excellent):

"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is MV Seafarer. I have a fire in the engine room. Fire in the engine room. All crew, this is the Captain. Fire, fire, fire in the engine room. All crew to fire stations. Close all watertight doors. Engine room team, muster at muster station. Do not enter the engine room. I will contact coast guard on channel 16. My position is latitude 05 degrees 30 minutes North, longitude 100 degrees 15 minutes East. I require assistance. Over."

Key phrases used: Mayday, fire stations, watertight doors, muster, position reporting

Question 97 - Navigation

Situation: You need to request pilot assistance from VTS (Vessel Traffic Service). What do you say?

Record your answer (30 seconds)

Click to start recording

Sample Answer:

"Singapore VTS, Singapore VTS, this is MV Ocean Star, MV Ocean Star, MV Ocean Star, calling on channel 14. I am a container ship, 300 meters length, 45 meters beam, draft 12 meters. I am approaching the pilot boarding ground and require pilot assistance. My ETA at pilot station is 1430 hours UTC. Please confirm. Over."

Speaking Assessment Criteria

Pronunciation

Fluency

Maritime Terminology

SMCP Usage

Your Speaking Score

Average Rating

0/5

Proficiency Level

🎯 Speaking Tips for Marlin Test:

Use SMCP: Standard Marine Communication Phrases show professionalism
Be clear: Speak slowly and clearly, especially for numbers and coordinates
Structure: Use sequencers: First, Then, Next, Finally
Safety first: Always mention safety procedures in emergency scenarios
Key phrases: "I will...", "My intention is to...", "Please confirm", "Standing by"

📊 Your Marlin Test Results

Overall Marlin Test Score

Complete all sections to see your results

Not Completed

Listening

Grammar

Vocabulary

Speaking

Score Range	Level	Description	Recommendation
0-40%	Pre-Elementary	Basic understanding only	Intensive English course required
41-60%	Elementary	Limited operational use	General English + Maritime English
61-75%	Intermediate	Operational command	Maritime English refresher
76-85%	Upper-Intermediate	Good operational command	SMCP practice recommended
86-100%	Advanced	Full operational command	Ready for shipboard duties

🚢 Marlin Test Certification Levels:

Pre-Elementary (0-40%): Cannot meet STCW language requirements. Must complete approved English course.
Elementary (41-60%): Minimum for some positions, but requires supervision and further training.
Intermediate (61-75%): Meets STCW requirements for most ratings and junior officers.
Upper-Intermediate (76-85%): Suitable for senior officers and positions requiring extensive communication.
Advanced (86-100%): Exceeds requirements. Suitable for all positions including master and chief engineer.