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STCW II/5 - Able Seafarer Deck 500 GT or More

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck (ASD or AB Deck)

STCW II/5 Able Seafarer Deck is a new STCW endorsement under STCW 2010 and is a qualified rating at the deck department on ocean going vessels of 500 GT or more. Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as Able Seafarer Deck (ASD or AB Deck) is set out in this section.

An Able Seafarer Deck may work as a watchstander, a day worker, or a combination of these roles and, must be able to work safely in enclosed spaces and at height. 

Summary of STCW II/5

The STCW Code II/5 Able Seafarer Deck (ASD or AB Deck) certification, introduced under STCW 2010, applies to deck departments on ocean-going vessels of 500 GT or more. This certification allows seafarers to work in roles such as watchstanders or day workers and requires them to work safely in confined spaces and at heights. To obtain certification, candidates must demonstrate competence by the standards outlined in table A-II/5 of the STCW Code, which specifies the necessary knowledge, understanding, and proficiency. Onboard training must be recorded in an approved training record book.

Candidates for certification must be at least 18 years old, have completed a minimum of 18 months of approved seagoing service in the deck department or 12 months of service combined with approved training, and meet the required competence standards. Able Seamen certification issued before January 1, 2012, must be reviewed against the current requirements. Countries parties to the International Labour Organization (ILO) Certification of Able Seamen Convention can continue issuing and recognizing certificates under the previous convention until specified deadlines. Seafarers can also fulfill certification requirements through relevant experience in the deck department within a defined period before the regulation's enforcement.

Please find below the STCW II/5 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 Section A-II/5 - Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck

Standard of Competence

  1. Every able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall be required to demonstrate the competence to perform the functions at the support level, as specified in column 1 of table A-II/5.
  2. The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required of an able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more is listed in column 2 of table A-II/5.
  3. 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 specified in columns 3 and 4 of table A-II/5.

STCW Table A-II/5 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of minimum standards of competence of ratings as able seafarer deck

STCW Table A-II/5 PDF

STCW Section B-II/5 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Guidance regarding the certification of ratings as able seafarer deck

Onboard training should be documented in an approved training record book.

MUST READ:

STCW Regulation II/5 of Chapter II (STCW 2010 Res 1)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Ratings as Able Seafarer Deck
  1. Every able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall be duly certificated.
  2. Every candidate for certification shall:
    1. be not less than 18 years of age;
    2. meet the requirements for certification as a rating forming part of a Navigational watch;
    3. while qualified to serve as a rating forming part of a navigational watch, have approved seagoing service in the deck department of:
      1. not less than 18 months, or
      2. not less than 12 months and have completed approved training; and
    4. meet the standard of competence specified in section A-II/5 of the STCW Code.
  3. Every Party shall compare the standards of competence which it required of Able Seamen for certificates issued before 1 January 2012 with those specified for the certificate in section A-II/5 of the STCW Code, and shall determine the need, if any, for requiring these personnel to update their qualifications.
  4. Until 1 January 2012, a Party which is also a Party to the International Labour Organization Certification of Able Seamen Convention, 1946 (No. 74) may continue to issue, recognize and endorse certificates in accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid convention.
  5. Until 1 January 2017, a Party which is also a Party to the International Labour Organization Certification of Able Seamen Convention, 1946 (No. 74) may continue to renew and revalidate certificates and endorsements in accordance with the provisions of the aforesaid convention.
  6. Seafarers may be considered by the Party to have met the requirements of this regulation if they have served in a relevant capacity in the deck department for a period of not less than 12 months within the last 60 months preceding the entry into force of this regulation for that Party.

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

LAST UPDATED ON Jan 13, 2025