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STCW III/1 - Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (OICEW) or DDE of 750 kW Power or More

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) in a Manned Engine-Room Or Designated Duty Engineers (DDE) in a Periodically Unmanned Engine-Room

STCW III/1 Officer in Charge of Engineering Watch (OICEW) / Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) is the officer on watch in charge of the main propulsion plant of the ship, and of the associated auxiliaries.

OICEW duties include but not limited to monitoring the mechanical, Electrical, hydraulic and control equipment; in charge of the sophisticated engine management systems, maintenance of the machinery, and more.

Summary of STCW III/1

The STCW Code III/1 certification for Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) or Designated Duty Engineer (DDE) applies to those in charge of the main propulsion plant and associated systems on seagoing ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more. Their responsibilities include monitoring mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, and control equipment, overseeing engine management, and performing machinery maintenance. Candidates for certification must undergo specialized training in mechanical and electrical workshop skills and participate in an onboard training program that provides systematic practical experience in engine-room watchkeeping duties. This training must be closely supervised by a qualified engineering officer and adequately documented in a training record book.

Certification requires candidates to be at least 18 years old and meet specific seagoing service requirements, including at least 12 months of combined workshop training and seagoing service or 36 months of seagoing experience with a minimum of 30 months in the engine department. They must also have completed at least six months of engine-room watchkeeping under supervision. The candidates must demonstrate the ability to perform duties listed in the STCW Code and meet the necessary theoretical knowledge and proficiency standards. For ships with less than 3,000 kW propulsion power engaged in near-coastal voyages, variations in requirements may apply, with such limitations stated on the certification.

Please find below the STCW III/1 regulations and tables. You may also check our STCW Guide section for more clarity on the requirements at various stages of a merchant mariner's career.

stcw code iii 1

STCW Code Section A-III/1 Chapter III (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch in a Manned Engine-Room Or Designated Duty Engineers in a Periodically Unmanned Engine-Room

Training

  1. The education and training required by paragraph 2.4 of regulation III/1 shall include training in mechanical and electrical workshop skills relevant to the duties of an engineer officer.

Onboard Training

  1. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room of ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW or more whose seagoing service, in accordance with paragraph 2.2 of regulation III/1, forms part of a training programme approved as meeting the requirements of this section 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 an engine-room watch, taking into account the guidance given in section B-III/1 of this Code;
    2. is closely supervised and monitored by a qualified and certificated engineer officer aboard the ships in which the approved seagoing service is performed; and
    3. is adequately documented in a training record book.

Standard of Competence

  1. Every candidate for certification as officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or as designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more shall be required to demonstrate ability to undertake, at the operational level, the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-III/1.
  2. The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required for certification is listed in column 2 of table A-III/1.
  3. The level of knowledge of the material listed in column 2 of table A-III/1 shall be sufficient for engineer officers to carry out their watchkeeping duties.*
  4. Training and experience to achieve the necessary theoretical knowledge, understanding and proficiency shall be based on section A-VIII/2, part 4-2 Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering watch, and shall take into account the relevant requirements of this part and the guidance given in part B of this Code.
  5. Candidates for certification for service in ships in which steam boilers do not form part of their machinery may omit the relevant requirements of table A-III/1. A certificate awarded on such a basis shall not be valid for service on ships in which steam boilers form part of a ship’s machinery until the engineer officer meets the standard of competence in the items omitted from table A-III/1. Any such limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.
  6. The Administration may omit knowledge requirements for types of propulsion machinery other than those machinery installations for which the certificate to be awarded shall be valid. A certificate awarded on such a basis shall not be valid for any category of machinery installation which has been omitted until the engineer officer proves to be competent in these knowledge requirements. Any such limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.
  7. 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-III/1.

Near-Coastal Voyages

  1. The requirements of paragraphs 2.2 to 2.5 of regulation III/1 relating to level of knowledge, understanding and proficiency required under the different sections listed in column 2 of table A-III/1 may be varied for engineer officers of ships powered by main propulsion machinery of less than 3,000 kW propulsion power engaged on near-coastal voyages, as considered necessary, bearing in mind the effect on the safety of all ships which may be operating in the same waters. Any such limitation shall be stated on the certificate and in the endorsement.

*The relevant IMO Model Course(s) may be of assistance in the preparation of courses

STCW Table A-III/1 of Chapter III (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of minimum standard of competence for officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine-room

STCW Table A-III/1 Summary: The STCW Code Table A-III/1 sets minimum competence standards for engineering officers in charge of a watch, covering marine engineering, electrical/electronic control, maintenance, and repair. Key competencies include safe watch maintenance, operation of main and auxiliary machinery, pollution prevention, fire safety, emergency response, and effective communication. Competence is assessed through training, experience, and practical demonstrations.

STCW Table A-III/1 PDF

STCW Section B-III/1 of Chapter III (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Guidance regarding the certification of officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or as designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine-room
  1. In table A-III/1, the tools referred to should include hand tools, common measuring equipment, centre lathes, drilling machines, welding equipment and milling machines as appropriate.
  2. Training in workshop skills ashore can be carried out in a training institution or approved workshop.
  3. Onboard training should be adequately documented in the training record book by qualified assessors.

MUST READ:

STCW Regulation III/1 of Chapter III (STCW 2010 Res 1)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Certification of Officers in Charge of an Engineering Watch in a Manned Engine-Room Or Designated Duty Engineers in a Periodically Unmanned Engine-Room
  1. Every officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineer officer in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a seagoing ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more shall hold a certificate of competency.
  2. Every candidate for certification shall:
    1. be not less than 18 years of age;
    2. have completed combined workshop skills training and an approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months as part of an approved training programme which includes onboard training that meets the requirements of section A-III/1 of the STCW Code and is documented in an approved training record book, or otherwise have completed combined workshop skills training and an approved seagoing service of not less than 36 months of which not less than 30 months shall be seagoing service in the engine department;
    3. have performed, during the required seagoing service, engine-room watchkeeping duties under the supervision of the chief engineer officer or a qualified engineer officer for a period of not less than six months;
    4. have completed approved education and training and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-III/1 of the STCW Code; 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.

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