Fact Sheet STCW 33
SEAFARER CERTIFICATIONS
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CAREER PATH OPTIONS – RATINGS
This Fact Sheet explains the career pathways and
training requirements for ratings serving on a “regulated
Australian vessel”.
Rating qualifications
Provided the certificate is appropriate to the position on
the vessel, ratings can hold any of the following:
• Navigational Watch Rating Certificate (STCW Reg II/4)
• Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate (STCW Reg
III/4)
• Certificate of Proficiency as Integrated Rating (STCW
Reg II/4 and Reg III/4)
• Certificate of Proficiency as Integrated Rating (STCW
Reg II/5 and Reg III/5)
• Certificate of Proficiency as Chief Integrated Rating
(STCW Reg II/5 and Reg III/5)
• Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer – Deck
(STCW Reg II/5)
• Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer – Engine
(STCW Reg III/5)
Trainee Ratings
To serve on a “regulated Australian vessel” (RAV):
1. Trainee Navigational Watch Ratings and Engine
Room Watch Ratings on the six months qualifying
sea service pathway must hold an AMSA Certificate
of Safety Training (STCW Reg VI/1) with security
awareness endorsement (STCW Reg VI/6-1) and a
valid Form AMSA303 Certificate of Medical Fitness
before they join their first ship.
2. Trainee Navigational Watch Ratings and Engine
Room Watch Ratings on the two months qualifying
sea service pathway must hold an AMSA Certificate
of Safety Trainining (STCW Reg VI/1) with security
awareness endorsement (STCW Reg VI/6-1) and must
also complete approved shore based training before
joining their first ship (See Schedule 1).
3. Trainee Integrated Ratings in addition to holding
a Certificate of Safety Training and a valid Form
AMSA303 Certificate of Medical Fitness must also
complete the 12/13 week shore based training
program before joining their first ship.
Approved training program
All Ratings must complete an AMSA approved training
program that meets the requirements of STCW. The
approved training program is based on the Certificate III
in Maritime Operations (Integrated Rating), which consists
of 21 units of competency, five Task and Guided Study
Books (TAGS Books) and qualifying sea service.
The 21 units of competency have been divided in
separate sections or courses, namely, pre-sea (Certificate
of Safety training), deck rating requirements (A), engine
rating requirements (B) and units of competency common
to both deck and engine room ratings (C).
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 1 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
Schedule 1 – Training program – Units of competency explained
NOTE: Units of competency are from the revised Draft MAR30515 Certificate III in Maritime Operations (Integrated
Rating), which is expected to be finalised in 2015.
Pre-Sea – Certificate of Safety Training
Unit Number
Competency
STCW Reference
MARF003
Follow vessel security procedures
STCW Code Table A-VI/6-1
MARF006
Observe personal safety and social responsibility
STCW Code Table A-VI/1-4
MARF008
Prevent and fight fires on board a vessel
STCW Code Table A-VI/1-2
MARF009
Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment
STCW Code Table A-VI/1-1
HLTAID003
Provide first aid
STCW Code Table A-VI/1-3
Approved course Part A – Deck department ratings
Unit Number
Competency
MARC029
Apply basic rigging
MARC028
Operate deck machinery, cargo handling gear and equipment on a vessel
MARK005
Steer a vessel under the direction of the master
MARO006
Contribute to monitoring a safe navigational watch
Approved course Part B – Engine room department ratings
Unit Number
Competency
MARB016
Perform routine engine maintenance on a vessel
MARC3008A
Operate engine equipment and associated propulsion plant
MARO005
Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe engine watch
Approved course Part C – Units of competency common to both deck and engine ratings
Unit Number
Competency
STCW Reference
MARB017
Perform routine maintenance on a vessel
MARC030
Use and care of hand and power tools
MARF018
Assist in an emergency response
MARF019
Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures
MARJ001
Follow environmental work practices
MARN007
Use seamanship skills on board a vessel
MSAPMPER200C
Work in accordance with an issued permit
MSAPMPER205C
Enter confined space
MARF007
Operate survival craft and other lifesaving appliances
STCW Reg VI/2-1
Proficiency in survival craft
and rescue boats other
than fast rescue boats
Evidence of having completed tanker familiarisation is completion of:
• MARC028 Operate deck machinery, cargo handling and equipment on a vessel, or;
• The tanker familiarisation skill set in the revised Maritime Industry Training Package (2015), or
• The existing units MARA3001A Contribute to safe cargo operations on liquefied gas tankers and MAR3002A
Contribute to safe cargo operations on oil and chemical tankers.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 2 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
Schedule 2 – TAGS Books explained
The approved Task and Guided Study (TAGS) books
consist of:
1. Integrated Rating Pathway
Integrated Rating (STCW Reg II/5 and III/5)
TAGS Book 1 – Shipboard induction, shipboard
procedures, engine room duties, WHS/OHS
requirements
TAGS Book 2 – Survival management, survival craft,
firefighting and prevention
TAGS Book 3 – Engine room, deck machinery
7 months
sea service
Integrated Rating (STCW Reg II/4 and III/4)
TAGS Book 4 – Ships maintenance and marine
rigging
5 months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book 5 – Dry cargo, liquid cargo, offshore
vessels
Trainee Integrated Ratings after four months qualifying
sea service and completion of TAGS Book 1 may
receive STCW Regulation II/4 – ratings assisting in
keeping a navigation watch and STCW Regulation
III/4 – ratings assisting in keeping in an engine room
watch.
TAGS Book 1 has also been re-issued as two separate
volumes. One volume is suitable for trainees who
wish to obtain a Navigational Watch Rating certificate.
The other volume is suitable for trainees who wish to
obtain an Engine Watch Rating certificate.
TAGS Books
2,3,4, and 5
Navigational Watch Rating (NWR) Certificate STCW Reg II/4*
Engine Room Watch Rating (EWR) Certificate STCW Reg III/4*
Valid for service on tankers
Four months qualifying
sea service
Schedule 3 – Rating pathway flow charts
1. Integrated Rating pathways
2. Able Seafarer – Engine pathway, also explains
pathway for Engine Watch Rating for holders of
an CoC as Engineer Class 3 and Marine Engine
Driver Grade 1
TAGS Book 1
3. Able Seafarer – Deck pathway, also explains
Navigational Watch Rating and CoC as Master
<80m NC, Master <35m NC and Mate <80m NC
pathways.
Approved course
Part A, B and C
4. Able Seafarer – Engine and Navigational Watch
Rating pathway
5. Able Seafarer – Deck and Engine Watch Rating
pathway
6. Engine Watch Rating to Navigational Watch
Rating pathway.
Certificate of Safety Training (STCW Reg VI/1)
with security awareness endorsement (STCW Reg VI/6-1)
*Endorsement signed in back of TAGS Book 1 by AMSA Examiner
7. Navigational Watch Rating to Engine Watch
Rating pathway.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 3 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
2. Able Seafarer – Engine Pathway
TAGS Book 2, 3, 5 & 4**
Able Seafarer – Engine (STCW Reg III/5) Pathway
6 months qualifying
sea service
*Certificate of Proficiency
in survival craft to be
issued - May need to do
tanker familiarisation
6 months qualifying
sea service
Approved course
Part B and C
Engine Watch Rating (EWR) Certificate STCW Reg III/4
Not valid for service on tankers unless relevant tanker
familiarisation courses has been completed
Two months qualifying
sea service
Six months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
Certificate of Proficiency in
survival craft course
Tanker familiarisation course
6 MONTHS qualifying sea
service while holding any of
the CoC listed below
Certificate of Safety
Training with security
awareness
CoC Engineer Class 3
CoC Marine Engine Driver 1
Approved course
Part B and C
Certificate of Safety Training (STCW Reg VI/1)
with security awareness endorsement (STCW Reg VI/6-1)
* A Certificate of Proficiency in survival craft can only be issued after completion of six months sea service (STCW Reg VI/2 (1.2))
**AMSA approved RTOs may decide if all section of TAGS Book 3 need to be completed.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 4 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
3. Able Seafarer – Deck (STCW Reg II/5) Pathway
TAGS Book 2, 3, 4 & 5**
Able Seafarer – Deck (STCW Reg II/5)
12 months qualifying
sea service
12 months qualifying
sea service
*Certificate of Proficiency in
survival craft to be issued
- May need to do tanker
familiarisation
Approved course
Part A and C
Navigational Watch Rating Certificate STCW Reg II/4
Not valid for service on tankers unless relevant tanker familiarisation
courses has been completed
TAGS Book
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
+
+
Steering Certificate
Steering Certificate
Certificate of Proficiency in
survival craft course
(STCW Reg VI/2-1)
Tanker familiarisation course
12 months qualifying sea service
while holding any of the CoC
listed below
Certificate of Safety Training with
security awareness
CoC Master <80m NC
CoC Master <35m NC
Two months qualifying
sea service
Six months qualifying
sea service
CoC Mate <80m NC
Approved course
Part A and C
Certificate of Safety Training (STCW Reg VI/1)
with security awareness endorsement (STCW Reg VI/6-1)
* A Certificate of Proficiency in survival craft can only be issued after completion of six months sea service (STCW Reg VI/2 (1.2))
**AMSA approved RTOs may decide if all section of TAGS Book 3 need to be completed.
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 5 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
4. Able Seafarer – Engine with
Navigational Watch Rating Pathway
Able Seafarer – Engine (STCW Reg III/5)
Navigational Watch Rating (STCW Reg II/4)
2 months qualifying
sea service
6 months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
+
Steering Certificate
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
+
Steering Certificate
Approved course
Part A
Able Seafarer – Engine (STCW Reg III/5)
5. Able Seafarer – Deck with
Engine Watch Rating Pathway
Able Seafarer – Deck (STCW Reg II/5)
Engine Watch Rating (STCW Reg III/4)
2 months qualifying
sea service
6 months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
Approved course
Part B
Able Seafarer – Deck (STCW Reg II/5)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 6 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
Fact Sheet - STCW 33 - Career path options - Ratings
6. Engine Room Watch Rating to
Navigational Watch Rating Pathway
Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW Reg III/4)
Navigational Watch Rating (STCW Reg II/4)
Not valid for service on Tankers unless
Tanker Familiarisation Course completed
2 months qualifying
sea service
6 months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
+
Steering Certificate
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
navigational watch
+
Steering Certificate
Approved course
Part A
Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW Reg III/4)
7. Navigational Watch Rating with
Engine Room Watch Rating Pathway
Engine Room Watch Rating (STCW Reg III/4)
Navigational Watch Rating (STCW Reg II/4)
Not valid for service on Tankers unless
Tanker Familiarisation Course completed
2 months qualifying
sea service
6 months qualifying
sea service
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
TAGS Book
Assist in keeping
engine room watch
Approved course
Part B
Navigational Watch Rating (STCW Reg II/4)
Australian Maritime Safety Authority, Canberra ACT Australia - January 2017
AMSA 1596 (1/17)
Page 7 of 7
Disclaimer: This fact sheet provides summary information only. AMSA makes decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer
certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings)
2014. Please refer to these Marine Orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.