U.S. Coast Guard Requirements (General, Sea Service, Training & Other) for OICNW STCW Endorsements
Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) is an STCW endorsement with tonnage limitations for the deck officer on a sea going merchant ship. The tonnage limitations are either 500 gross tonnage or more and, less that 500 GT but above 200 GT.
The OCINW is under a master’s command and so the duties are assigned by the master or captain of the ship. STCW regulations apply to seagoing vessels greater than 200 GRT and higher and these regulations do not apply to vessels operating exclusively on the Inland waters of the United States; seagoing vessels of less than 200 tons; and uninspected passenger vessels.
The OICNW duties consist (not limited to) of the duties of a National Mate credential.
- USCG General Requirements for OICNW
- USCG STCW OICNW 500 GT or More Operational Level
- USCG STCW OICNW less than 500 GT OC
- USCG STCW OICNW Less Than 500 GT NC Operational Level
- USCG STCW II/1 OSV OICNW 500 GT or More Operational Level
You may also read: International Maritime Organisation (IMO) STCW Requirements for OICNW
General Requirements for OICNW STCW Endorsement
- Age: 19
- Medical Certificate
- Sea Service letters or discharges
USCG STCW II/1 OICNW 500 GT or More Operational Level Requirements
- Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement
Sea Service Requirements
- 1080 days of seagoing service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes; AND
- Provide evidence of having performed, during the required seagoing service, bridge watch keeping duties, under the supervision of an officer holding the STCW endorsement as master, chief mate, second mate, or OICNW, for a period of not less than 180 days
- 360 days of seagoing service as part of an approved training program, which includes onboard training that meets the requirements of section A-II/1 of STCW Code
- Notes: Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 90 days service requirements.
Assessments
- Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/1 of STCW Code of 500 GT or More OICNW Operational Level – Assessments for this endorsement: Must complete & attach Record of Assessment from NVIC 12-14 or its equivalent.
- Note: Operational-level assessments are not required if the mariner holds or has previously held an STCW endorsement as Master (STCW II/2) valid on vessels of 500 GT or more issued after 1997.
Additional Training (Unless Previously Met)
- Medical First Aid Provider
- Valid RADAR Observer
- Search and Rescue
- Proficiency in Survival Craft (or PSC Limited) and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats
- Visual Signaling
- Bridge Resource Management
- Terrestrial and Celestial Navigation and Electronic Navigation Systems
- Watchkeeping, including COLREGs and IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
- Cargo Handling and Stowage
- Ship Handling
- Stability and Ship Construction
- Meteorology
- Leadership and Teamworking Skills (can be a course or assessments from NVIC 17-14)
- Basic and Advanced Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
- Basic Training within 5 years of application or continuing competencies
Optional Training
- ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement
- GMDSS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
- ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment) - if not provided mariner will have a limitation on his endorsement.
STCW Endorsement as OICNW on Vessels of 500 GT or More - National Crossover
Table: STCW OICNW Endorsement 500 GT or More - National Crossover Credits: USCG
STCW II/3 (STCW II/1 Endorsement) - OICNW Less Than 500 GT OC Operational Level
- Mariner must hold the equivalent national endorsement authorizing service as any Mate or Master valid for oceans routes. An OUPV is not considered an equivalent national endorsement
Sea Service Requirements
- 1080 days of sea going service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes. Service must include 180 days documentation of having performed bridge watchkeeping duties, under the supervision of an officer holding the STCW endorsement as Master, Chief Mate, or OICNW; OR
- 360 days as part of an approved training program operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes. Service must include 180 days documentation of having performed bridge watchkeeping duties, under the supervision of an officer holding the STCW endorsement as Master, Chief Mate, or OICNW
Notes
- For the 180 days bridge watchkeeping - The Coast Guard will accept service on vessels in any capacity for bridge watchstanding. Bridge watchstanding must be documented as under the supervision of the Master, Chief Mate, or OICNW.
- For all service - Service on inland waters that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
- Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 90 days of the overall service requirements.
Assessments
- Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/1 of STCW Code. The Record of Assessment from NVIC 02-18 or its equivalent may be used for this purpose.
- See STCW Regulation II/3, Part 1 for Ships Not Engaged on Near Coastal Voyages) - The STCW will be endorsed with II/1, Not valid on vessels of 500 GT or more and with no route limitation. Additional training and assessments are required for STCW OICNW greater than 500 GT.
Approved and Optional Training
Table: USCG STCW OICNW Less Than 500 GT OC Additional Training Credits: USCG
STCW Endorsement as OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT OC
National Crossover
- This column provides the minimum additional service required of the seafarer in order to meet the requirements of this section.
- Complete any assessments for OICNW Less Than 500 GT Oceans not previously satisfied.
- Complete any training for OICNW Less Than 500 GT not previously satisfied.
Table: STCW Endorsement as OICNW of Vessels of Less Than 500 GT - National Crossover Credits: USCG
USCG STCW II/3 OICNW Less Than 500 GT NC Operational Level Requirements
- Mariner must hold equivalent national endorsement, can be any master or mate, near coastal or oceans
Sea Service Requirements
- 720 days of seagoing service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes
- Notes; Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service. Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 90 days of the service requirements.
- Successful completion of an approved training program that includes sea service as required by the Coast Guard OR
- Successful completion of approved training for this section and obtain 360 days of seagoing service
Assessments
- Provide evidence of Standard of competence specified in section A-II/3 of the STCW Code OICNW Less Than 500 GT Near Coastal
- Operational Level Assessments: Must complete & attach Record of Assessment from NVIC 13-14 or its equivalent (Some assessments are only required for Master Less Than 500 GT Near Coastal)
Table: STCW II/3 OICNW Less Than 500 GT NC Operational Level Radar Assessment Credits: USCG
Approved Training
- Medical First Aid Provider
- Proficiency in survival craft (or PSC Limited) and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats Course within 5 years of application or evidence of maintaining the standard of competence.
- Approved Basic Fire Fighting Course within 5 years of application date (unless previously met). Valid STCW BT is acceptable
- Advanced Firefighting Course within 5 years of application or evidence of maintaining the standard of competence. Valid STCW with Advanced Firefighting is acceptable.
- Basic Training within 5 years of application or evidence of maintaining the standard of competence
Optional Training
- RADAR: valid approved radar observer course within previous five years or valid radar observer (unlimited) endorsement (if previously met, it is not required however if not current, do not place RADAR capacity on the National MMC)
- ARPA (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
- ECDIS (Optional, if serving on a vessel with this equipment)
- Leadership and Teamworking Skills IS NOT REQUIRED for Mate/OICNW Less Than 500 GT Near Coastal waters
- Note: STCW capacity will be endorsed - Limited to Less Than 500 GT (this includes National 25/50/100/200 GRT) and Near Coastal waters
- Applicants holding or applying for national endorsement as Mate Less Than 200 GRT Upon Near Coastal Waters without STCW are considered compliant with STCW per 11.301(h). The vessels concerned are not subject to further obligation under STCW because of the special operating conditions and small vessels engaged in domestic, near coastal waters
STCW Endorsement OICNW Less Than 500 GT Limited to NC
National Crossover
Table: STCW Endorsement OICNW Less Than 500 GT Limited to NC - National Crossover Credits: USCG
USCG STCW II/1 OSV OICNW 500 GT or More Operational Level Requirements
Sea Service Requirements
- 1080 days of seagoing service in the deck department on vessels operating in oceans, near-coastal and/or Great Lakes; AND
- Provide evidence of having performed, during the required seagoing service, bridge watch keeping duties, under the supervision of an officer holding the STCW endorsement as master, chief mate, second mate, or OICNW, for a period of not less than 180 days. OR
- 360 days of seagoing service as part of an approved training program, which includes onboard training that meets the requirements of Section A-II/1 of STCW Code
Notes
- Service on inland waters, bays, or sounds that are navigable waters of the United States may be substituted for up to 50 percent of the total required service.
- Experience gained in the engine department on vessels may be creditable for up to 90 days service requirements
Assessments
- Provide evidence of meeting the standard of competence specified in Section A-II/1 of STCW Code.
- OSV’s of 500 GT or More OICNW Operational Level - Assessments for this endorsement: Must complete Record of Assessment from NVIC 01-17 or its equivalent
Additional and Optional Training
Table: STCW II/1 OSV OICNW 500 GT or More Operational Level Additional & Optional Training Credits: USCG
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with USCG for the latest requirements and accurate info