STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Navigational Watch

Ships of 500 gross tonnage or more

Officers in charge of a navigational watch must:

• Age: be not less than 18 years of age.
• Seagoing service: have approved seagoing service of not less than one year as part of an approved training programme, including onboard training. This training must meet the requirements of section A-II/1 of the STCW Code and be documented in an approved training record book. Otherwise, the seafarer must have approved seagoing service of not less than 36 months.
• Bridge watch-keeping duties: have performed, during the required seagoing service, bridge watch-keeping duties under the supervision of the master or a qualified officer for a period of not less than six months.
• Radio duties: meet the applicable requirements of the regulations in chapter IV (GMDSS), as appropriate, for performing designated radio duties in accordance with the radio regulations.
• Education and Training: have completed a period of approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/1 of the STCW Code.

Ships of less than 500 gross tonnage

Officers in charge of a navigational watch must

For ships not engaged on near-coastal voyages:

• Certificate: hold an appropriate certificate for ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.

For ships engaged on near coastal voyages:

• Age: be not less than 18 years of age.
• Seagoing service: have completed special training, including an appropriate period of seagoing service as required by the administration, or approved seagoing service in the deck department of not less than 36 months.
• Radio duties: meet the applicable requirements of the regulations in chapter IV (GMDSS), as appropriate, for performing designated radio duties in accordance with the Radio Regulations.
• Education & training: have completed a period of approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/3 of the STCW Code for officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged in near-coastal voyages.

Note: All navigational officers must now have thorough knowledge of and ability to use ECDIS.

Certificates and general requirements by rank: Officers forming part of a Navigational Watch

Rating forming part of a navigational watch: Competency requirements

The below requirements apply only for service on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more. The rating must:

• Age: be not less than 16 years of age.
• Seagoing service: have completed approved seagoing service, including not less than six months’ training and experience, or
• Education & training: have received special training, either pre-sea or onboard ship, including an approved period of seagoing service which shall not be less than two months; and
• Competence: meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/4.

Certificates and general requirements by rank: Ratings forming part of a Navigational Watch