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STCW II/3 - OICNW and Master Less Than 500 GT Near Coastal

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Officers In Charge of a Navigational Watch and of Masters on Ships of Less Than 500 Gross Tonnage, Engaged on Near-Coastal Voyages

STCW II/3 Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) is an operational level STCW endorsement with tonnage limitations for the deck officer on a sea going merchant ship.

Master, also known as Captain, are in overall command of the ship and are responsible for the safety, efficiency and commercial feasibility of the ship.

Please find below the STCW 2010 regulations and tables. You may also check our STCW Guide section for more clarity on the requirements at various stages of a merchant mariner..

stcw code ii 3

STCW Code Section A-II/3 - Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Officers In Charge of a Navigational Watch and of Masters on Ships of Less Than 500 Gross Tonnage, Engaged on Near-Coastal Voyages.

OFFICER IN CHARGE OF A NAVIGATIONAL WATCH

Standard of Competence
  1. Every candidate for certification shall:
    1. be required to demonstrate the competence to undertake, at operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-II/3;
    2. at least hold the appropriate certificate for performing VHF radiocommunications in accordance with the requirements of the Radio Regulations; and
    3. if designated to have primary responsibility for radiocommunications during distress incidents, hold the appropriate certificate issued or recognized under the provisions of the Radio Regulations.
  2. The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required for certification is listed in column 2 of table A-II/3.
  3. The level of knowledge of the subjects listed in column 2 of table A-II/3 shall be sufficient to enable the candidate to serve in the capacity of officer in charge of a navigational watch.
  4. Training and experience to achieve the necessary level of theoretical knowledge, understanding and proficiency shall be based on section A-VIII/2, part 4-1 – Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch, and shall also take into account the relevant requirements of this part and the guidance given in part B of this Code.
  5. Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of table A-II/3.
Special Training
  1. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged on near-coastal voyages, who, in accordance with paragraph 4.2.1 of regulation II/3, is required to have completed special training, shall follow an approved programme of onboard training which:
    1. ensures that, during the required period of seagoing service, the candidate receives systematic practical training and experience in the tasks, duties and responsibilities of an officer in charge of a navigational watch, taking into account the guidance given in section B-II/1 of this Code;
    2. is closely supervised and monitored by qualified officers on board the ships in which the approved seagoing service is performed; and
    3. is adequately documented in a training record book or similar document*.

MASTER

  1. Every candidate for certification as master on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged on near-coastal voyages, shall meet the requirements for an officer in charge of a navigational watch set out below and, in addition, shall be required to provide evidence of knowledge and ability to carry out all the duties of such a master.

*The relevant IMO Model Course(s) and a similar document produced by the International Shipping Federation may be of assistance in the preparation of training record books

STCW Table A-II/3 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of minimum standard of competence for officers in charge of a navigational watch and for masters on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages

STCW Table A-II/3 PDF

STCW Section B-II/3 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Guidance regarding the certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch and of masters on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage

MUST READ:

STCW Regulation II/3 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 1)

Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch and of masters on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage

Ships not Engaged on Near-Coastal Voyages

  1. Every officer in charge of a navigational watch serving on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage not engaged on near-coastal voyages shall hold a certificate of competency for ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.
  2. Every master serving on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage not engaged on near-coastal voyages shall hold a certificate of competency for service as master on ships of between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage.

Ships Engaged on Near-Coastal Voyages

Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch
  1. Every officer in charge of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages shall hold a certificate of competency.
  2. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages shall:
    1. be not less than 18 years of age;
    2. have completed:
      1. special training, including an adequate period of appropriate seagoing service as required by the Administration, or
      2. approved seagoing service in the deck department of not less than 36 months;
    3. meet the applicable requirements of the regulations in chapter IV, as appropriate, for performing designated radio duties in accordance with the Radio Regulations;
    4. have completed 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 on near-coastal voyages; and
    5. meet the standard of competence specified in section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4, section A-VI/3, paragraphs 1 to 4 and section A-VI/4, paragraphs 1 to 3 of the STCW Code.
Master
  1. Every master serving on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages shall hold a certificate of competency.
  2. Every candidate for certification as master on a seagoing ship of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages shall:
    1. be not less than 20 years of age;
    2. have approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as officer in charge of a navigational watch;
    3. have completed approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/3 of the STCW Code for masters on ships of less than 500 gross tonnage engaged on near-coastal voyages; and
    4. meet the standard of competence specified in section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4, section A-VI/3, paragraphs 1 to 4 and section A-VI/4, paragraphs 1 to 3 of the STCW Code.
Exemptions
  1. The Administration, if it considers that a ship’s size and the conditions of its voyage are such as to render the application of the full requirements of this regulation and section A-II/3 of the STCW Code unreasonable or impracticable, may to that extent exempt the master and the officer in charge of a navigational watch on such a ship or class of ships from some of the requirements, bearing in mind the safety of all ships which may be operating in the same waters.

Disclaimer: For general information purpose only - please check with IMO STCW Convention for the latest requirements and accurate info

LAST UPDATED ON Aug 11, 2021