Minimum Requirements of STCW Training Courses Per Rank

Pursuing a career at sea requires extensive training and certification. The higher you progress through the ranks, the more courses you must take.

If you want an overview of what training courses you must take for your future promotion, this article will guide you there.

The requirements listed here are specified in the STCW Code of the STCW Convention or the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

Definitions of STCW Convention and STCW Code

What is STCW Convention?

The STCW Convention, or the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, serves as the regulatory framework for ensuring safety at sea and environmental protection.

It mandates that all seafarers uphold rigorous standards of competence and professionalism while carrying out their duties.

These standards cover training, certification, and watchkeeping arrangements performed onboard vessels. 

What is STCW Code?

The STCW Code, or the Seafarer’s Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Code, is a set of detailed regulations and guidelines that complement the STCW Convention.

As an important companion document to the STCW Convention, the STCW Code provides detailed mandatory regulations (Part A) and recommendatory guidelines (Part B) to support the implementation and enforcement of the STCW Convention requirements.

Part A – Provides mandatory provisions that give, in detail, the minimum standards required to maintain the full and complete effect of the STCW Convention.

Part B – Provides recommended guidance to assist Parties to the STCW Convention and those involved in implementing, applying, or enforcing its measures to give the STCW Convention full and complete effect in a uniform manner.

Minimum Courses and Training Per Rank According to the STCW Code

These are the minimum training requirements for seamen of every rank. Notice how “few” they are compared to what we actually have.

Master Mariner

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. II/2.7. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• GMDSS COC/ COE  – Reg. IV/2. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Chief Mate

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. II/2.7. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• GMDSS COC/ COE  – Reg. IV/2. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Officer-in-Charge of a Navigational Watch (OIC-NW)

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. II/2.7, and Reg. II/3. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• GMDSS COC/ COE  – Reg. IV/2. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Ratings Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW)

• Certificate of Proficiency (COP) – Reg. II/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Able Seafarer Deck (ASD)

• Certificate of Proficiency (COP) – Reg. II/5. Revalidation NOT required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Chief Engineer

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. III/2.7, and Reg. III/3.7. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Second Engineer

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. III/2.7, and Reg. III/3.7. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Officer-in-Charge of an Engineering Watch (OIC-EW)

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. III/1.9. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Flag state endorsement of recognition – Reg. 1/10.1. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.
• Medical First Aid (COP) – Reg. VI/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (COP) – Reg. VI/2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Fire Fighting (COP) – Reg. VI/3. Revalidation required.

Electro-Technical Officer (ETO)

• Certificate of Competency (COC) – Reg. III/6.5. Revalidation required.
• Certificate of Endorsement (COE) – Reg. I/2.1. Revalidation required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch (RFP-EW)

• Certificate of Proficiency (COP) – Reg. III/4. Revalidation NOT required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Able Seafarer Engine (ASE)

• Certificate of Proficiency (COP) – Reg. III/5. Revalidation NOT required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Electro-Technical Ratings (ETR)

• Certificate of Proficiency (COP) – Reg. III/7. Revalidation NOT required.
• Basic Training (COP) – Reg. VI/1. Revalidation required.

Additional Requirements for Seafarers on Oil and Chemical Tanker Vessels

For seafarers in tanker vessels, here are additional training requirements that seafarers must have.

Tanker COPs have different requirements and ratings need not revalidate them.

Master Mariner and Officers

• Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation (BTOCTCO) – Reg. V/1-1.1. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Training for Oil Tanker Cargo Operations (ATOTCO) – Reg. V/1-1.2. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Training for Chemical Tanker Cargo Operations (ATCTCO) –  Reg. V/1-1.3. Revalidation required.

Ratings

• Basic Training for Oil and Chemical Tanker Cargo Operation (BTOCTCO) – Reg. V/1-1.1. Revalidation NOT required.

Additional Requirements for Seafarers on Liquefied Gas Tankers

Though similarly classified as tankers, Gas Tankers are quite different due to their cargo being a liquefied gas.

Master Mariner and Officers

• Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation (BTLGTCO) – Reg. V/1-2.1. Revalidation required.
• Advanced Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operations (ATLGTCO) – Reg. V/1-2.2. Revalidation required.

Ratings

• Basic Training for Liquefied Gas Tanker Cargo Operation (BTLGTCO) – Reg. V/1-2.1. Revalidation NOT required.

Additional Training Courses for Seamen With Specific Functions

If you review the training courses above, the operational and management level seafarers have the most courses. Ratings only have two.

But in actuality, seafarers have more than that since we can be assigned with other functions on board.

Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (Other Than Fast Rescue Boats) (PSCRB)

Must be taken if the crew is expected to operate survival craft or rescue boats (other than fast rescue boats).

More information can be found in Regulation VI/2.1. Revalidation required.

Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB)

This course must be taken if the seaman joins a vessel with a fast rescue boat and is expected to operate such equipment.

More information can be found in Regulation VI/2.7. Revalidation required.

Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)

Required for seafarers designated to control firefighting operations in addition to identifying the different firefighting equipment on board such as fire extinguishers, fire dampers, CO2 release system, foam applicators, etc.

More information can be found in Regulation VI/3. Revalidation required.

Medical First Aid (MeFA)

Required for every seafarer designated to provide immediate medical first aid on board their ship in the event of an accident or illness.

More information can be found in Regulation VI/4.1. Revalidation NOT required.

Medical Care (MECA)

Required for every seafarer designated to provide medical care to the sick and injured on board.

More information can be found in Regulation VI/4.4. Revalidation NOT required.

Ship Security Officer (SSO)

Required for Officers in charge of the vessel’s security as laid out in the Ship Security Plan (SSP) and the ISPS Code.

More information can be found in Regulation VI/5. Revalidation NOT required.

Ship Security Awareness (SSA)

Required for seafarers complying with the provisions of the ISPS Code and designated without any security duties.

Can be found in Regulation VI/6.4. Revalidation NOT required.

Seafarers With Designated Security Duties (SDSD)

Required for seafarers designed to perform security duties such as anti-piracy and anti-armed-robbery-related activities.

More information on Regulation VI/6.6. Revalidation NOT required.

---

These training courses are the minimum requirement for every seafarer planning to work on ships.

If you are well aware, officers must also have ECDIS training, bridge management, MARPOL, and other courses, but they are required by the company.

After acquiring these STCW training certificates, you must submit them for COP processing as a documentary proof of proficiency.

May the winds be in your favor.