...exam consists of a blank chart, you have to fill in all the details, including depth, type of sea floor, all navigation mark locations and accompanying light characteristics etc.
Sounds like part of the JCAB (Japan Civil Aviation Bureau) exam!!
The other part you have described,
Pseudonymn, isn't at all unlike the process aspiring airline pilots have to undertake, except I'd guess there are far
less competitors vying for Ferry Master's positions, than there are pilots for airline jobs.
I wonder how many prospective FM's offer to do the job for free, "just to get the experience"?