The STCW Convention provides details on the general requirements and certificates by rank. With respect to Chief Mates, the Convention clarifies which requirements concerning previous certificate & seagoing service, education & training should be met for Chief Mates serving on ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or 500 — 3,000 gross tonnage and the table in the end summarizes all mentioned requirements.
Read in the series:
- STCW Convention at a glance
- STCW Convention: Terms and Definitions
- Certificates needed for compliance with STCW
- How seafarers can get their STCW certificates
- STCW Convention: General requirements for officers
- STCW Convention: General requirements for ratings
- STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Master
- STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Chief Mate
- STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Navigational Watch
- STCW certificates according to function and type of vessel
- Training issues under STCW: What you should know
- STCW: Certificates and documentary evidence needed onboard
- Alcohol and drug consumption onboard: Taking prevention measures
- STCW: Setting the hours of rest for watch personnel
Ships of 3,000 gross tonnage
Chief Mates must:
- Previous certificate & seagoing service: meet requirements for certification as an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more and have at least 12 months approved seagoing service in that capacity.
- Education & Training: have completed approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/2 of the STCW Code for masters and chief mates on ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or more.
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Ships of 500 — 3,000 gross tonnage
Chief Mates must:
- Education & training: have completed a period of approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A- II/2 of the STCW Code for masters and chief mates on ships of between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage.
Note: The master and chief mate competencies now include bridge resource management and require leadership, teamwork and management skills
Certificates and general requirements by rank: Chief Mate
| Name of Certificate | Revalidation | Reg. | |
| National certificate of competence and endorsement | Yes | I/2, II/2 | C/R |
| Flag state endorsement of recognition | Yes | I/10 | E/R |
| GMDSS endorsement | Yes | IV/2 | C/R |
| Basic safety training:
-Personal survival techniques -Fire prevention and fire fighting -Elementary first aid -Personal safety and social responsibility |
Achieved within previous five years | VI/1 | D/P |
| Medical first aid | No | VI/4 | D/P |
| Survival craft and rescue boats | Yes | VI/2 | D/P |
| Advanced fire fighting | Yes | VI/3 | D/P |
| Medical fitness | Yes | I/9 | C/R |
| Basic safety familiarization | On assignment | VI/1 | T/O |
| Ship specific familiarization | On assignment | I/14 | T/O |
| Security familiarization | On assignment | VI/6 | T/O |
| C/R: Certificate Required
D/P: Documentary Proof T/O: Training Onboard E/R: Endorsement Required |
