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AMSA Recognition of RAN Sea Service

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1. Introduction

This document provides information on a new system of recognition of Royal Australian Navy (RAN) sea service for RAN Seaman Officers who are either currently serving or have left the Service and wish to gain a STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC) (Deck).

The system is aligned with, and meets the requirements set out in Marine Orders Part 3 – Seagoing Qualifications (MO3), which gives effect to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW Convention).

The sea service of ratings who have served in the specialist seaman department of the RAN (for example Boatswains category), is already fully recognized in MO3 as qualifying sea service towards obtaining a CoC as Watchkeeper (Deck) or Mate (<500GT) with a capacity limitation as Watchkeeper only.

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2. Steps to gaining a STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC)

Before a RAN Seaman Officer or a rating may gain a STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC) from AMSA, they must meet the same requirements as any other applicant wishing to gain a STCW CoC, namely:

Satisfactorily complete an AMSA approved course of study which at least meets the standards specified by STCW for that certificate;
Complete a pre-requisite amount of qualifying sea service for the particular certificate or equivalent qualifying sea service as specified in provision 15 of MO3;
Pass an AMSA oral examination, and
Hold an AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness.

Guidelines explaining these requirements in detail may be referenced in the remainder of this document.

AMSA approved course of study

Applicants for Watchkeeper Deck Certificates of Competency

After an assessment of qualifying sea service, ratings will be required to successfully complete the full AMSA approved STCW Watchkeeper Deck (DWK) Diploma course. If all other requirements are met, entry into the AMSA oral examination will be permitted.

The RAN, RTOs and AMSA have worked closely to identify the gaps between the RAN’s Junior Warfare Officers Application Course (JWAC) and the AMSA approved STCW Watchkeeper Deck (DWK) Diploma course.

The RAN has sought and been granted AMSA approval for a combination of JWAC and the required “Bridging” training to meet the approved course of study requirement for Watchkeeper (Deck) contained in MO3.

It is understood in due course the RAN will include additional STCW components in the JWAC training and will develop a “Bridging” course to cover the remaining gaps. Subject to RAN policy, the “Bridging” course may be offered by AMSA approved training providers or at the RAN training establishment.

Until the RAN includes the additional training in the JWAC and decides how to incorporate the “Bridging” course, applicants presently serving in the RAN who have completed JWAC or SEAAC, and for those ex RAN Seamen Officers who have completed the JWAC/SEAAC (RAN training must meet the currency requirements of MO3 provision 7.3), once assessed as having the equivalent of the required qualifying sea service, will need to successfully complete the following AMSA approved DWK subjects, at an AMSA approved training provider:

Stability
Ship Construction including Ship Survey/Documentation
Cargo Operations including Tanker Familiarisation
Engineering Knowledge
Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats
GMDSS GOC
Medical First Aid (components subject to Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by provider)
AMSA Oral Exam Preparation

NB: Relevant TDT Training package units of competency references will be detailed later when the revised TDT materials are published. In the interim the relevant components covering the above topics in the existing AMSA approved DWK courses may be used by the AMSA approved training providers to provide the “Bridging” training.

Once the applicant has satisfactorily completed the above components, the AMSA approved training provider will issue a statement of completion for these subjects only. This statement combined with evidence of completion of JWAC/SEAAC, will satisfy AMSA in regard to completion of an approved course for DWK and the GMDSS GOC. If all other requirements are met, entry into the AMSA oral examination will be permitted.

Applicants for Chief Mate Certificates of Competency

It is understood the RAN will, in the future, initiate a similar mapping process for higher-level RAN Seaman Officer courses which will identify elements of RAN training that will count towards the AMSA approved course for Chief Mates and Shipmasters. The current academic requirement for a CoC as Chief Mate or Master is the AMSA approved Advanced Diploma STCW Chief Mate/Shipmasters course.

In the interim any senior RAN Seaman Officer who wishes to complete the AMSA approved course prior to completion of the AMSA/RAN mapping process of the STCW Chief Mate/Shipmasters course, should in the first instance have their qualifying sea service assessed by AMSA in a formal application process – the location of offices are available on the AMSA website:

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Qualifications/Examinations/Where_to_go_for_exams.asp

A fee is charged for all qualifying sea service assessments - fees & payment details are available on the AMSA website:

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Qualifications/Application_Forms_and_Fees/

An applicant, who meets the qualifying sea service requirements for a Chief Mate CoC, should approach an AMSA approved training provider to gain more information on available course options. The applicant will need to complete the DWK “Bridging” training prior to (or as an integral part of), undertaking the AMSA approved Advanced Diploma STCW Chief Mates/Shipmasters course. The possibility of gaining RPL for their current RAN training in navigational and meteorology subjects, towards the relevant components of the AMSA approved Advanced Diploma STCW Chief Mates/Shipmasters course, should be discussed with the AMSA approved training provider.

A list of AMSA approved training providers is available on the AMSA website:

http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Qualifications/AMSA_Approved_Courses/

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3. Qualifying Sea Service

Fully documented seagoing service as a rating or watchkeeping officer in the seamen department of the RAN, on RAN vessels, will be accepted as qualifying sea service on trading ships for the purpose of qualifying for a certificate as Watchkeeper (Deck) or Mate <500GT with a capacity limitation as Watchkeeper only.

In order for Seaman Officers to gain their RAN Officer of the Watch Qualification, they will have completed all RAN Navigation Watchkeeping Certificate and Bridge Warfare Certificate requirements (past or present versions thereof). Evidence of holding both of these RAN certificates will therefore be accepted by the Manager Ship Operations and Qualifications (the Manager) as equivalent qualifying sea service under MO3 provision 15, to satisfy the qualifying sea service required for the purpose of gaining a certificate as Watchkeeper (Deck).

Fully documented seagoing service as a Seaman Officer, who is predominantly involved in navigational and deck duties (eg Officer of the Watch, Navigator, Hydrographer, Executive Officer, Commanding Officer), will be accepted by the Manager as equivalent qualifying sea service under MO3 provision 15, to satisfy the qualifying sea service required for the purpose of gaining a certificate as Chief Mate (<3000GT) or Chief Mate. Up to 30 months of this seagoing service will be accepted towards the issue of a Master (<3000GT) or Master.

Any applicant wishing to obtain a Master or Master (<3000GT) will be required to complete at least 6 months qualifying sea service on a trading ship on voyages of 24 hours or more duration.

Seagoing service as a Seaman Officer, who is not predominantly involved in navigational and deck operations (eg Principal Warfare Officer) will not be accepted as equivalent sea service towards qualifying sea service.

In any period of sea service, qualifying sea service in a Royal Australian Navy vessel is:

where the vessel is under way for two-thirds or more of the posting the whole period the person was posted to that vessel; and
where the vessel is under way for less than two-thirds of the posting – the actual period underway plus 50% of that period;
only counted for voyages of 24 hours or more in duration.

Before qualifying sea service will be accepted by AMSA, official RAN documentary evidence of navy service must be supplied to AMSA, and must provide as a minimum, details and name of the vessel served in, position held and dates of service.

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In regards to RAN applicants, specific requirements for each particular AMSA STCW COC are as follows:

Watchkeeper (Deck)

To be eligible for a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper (Deck), a person must:

be 20 years of age or more;
have completed a RAN Navigation Watchkeeping Certificate and Bridge Warfare Certificate* (or otherwise meet qualifying sea service requirements for Watchkeeper (Deck) in MO3);
have satisfactorily completed an AMSA Approved course that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW;
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an AMSA examiner.

* named Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate prior to 2001.

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Chief Mate (<3000GT)

To be eligible for a certificate as Chief Mate (<3000GT) a person must:

hold a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper (Deck), or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have completed at least 12 months qualifying sea service in charge of a navigation watch on RAN ships equivalent to at least 500GT while holding the certificate referred to in (1);
have satisfactorily completed an AMSA approved course that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW.
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an examiner.
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Chief Mate

To be eligible for a certificate as Chief Mate a person must:

hold a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper (Deck) or, Chief Mate (<3000GT) or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have completed at least 12 months qualifying sea service in charge of a navigation watch on RAN ships equivalent to at least 3000GT while holding a certificate referred to in (1);
have satisfactorily completed an AMSA approved course that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW.
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an AMSA examiner.
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Master (<500GT)

To be eligible for issue of a certificates of competency as Master (<500GT), Master < 500GT(with endorsement as Chief Mate on vessels less than 3000GT on Near Coastal voyages) and Master < 500GT(with endorsement as Master on vessels less than 3000GT on Near Coastal voyages), a person must:

be 20 years of age of more;
hold a certificate as Watchkeeper (Deck) or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have completed qualifying sea service as officer in charge of a navigation watch:
have satisfactorily completed an AMSA approved course of study that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW;
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an AMSA examiner.
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Master (<3000GT)

To be eligible for issue of a certificate of competency as Master (<3000GT), a person must:

hold a certificate as Chief Mate or Chief Mate (<3000GT) or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have completed at least 36 months qualifying sea service in charge of a navigation watch on ships equivalent to at least 500GT while holding a certificate as a certificate as Master (< 500 GT), Chief Mate, Chief Mate (<3000 GT), Watchkeeper (Deck), or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent, with the following conditions:
1. at least 6 months must have been served on trading ships >500GT (not RAN ships) on voyages of 24 hours or more duration;
2. at least 12 months must have been served while holding a certificate as Chief Mate or Chief Mate (<3000GT), or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have satisfactorily completed an appropriate AMSA approved course of study that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW;
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an AMSA examiner.
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Master

To be eligible for issue of a certificate of competency as Master, a person must:

hold a certificate as Master (<3000GT) Chief Mate or Chief Mate (<3000GT) or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
have completed at least 36 months qualifying sea service in charge of a navigation watch on ships equivalent to at least 500GT while holding a certificate as a certificate as Master (< 500 GT), Chief Mate, Chief Mate (<3000 GT), Watchkeeper (Deck), or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent, with the following conditions:
1. at least 6 months must have been served on trading ships >3000GT (not RAN ships) on voyages of 24 hours or more duration;
2. at least 12 months must have been served while holding a certificate as Chief Mate or Chief Mate (<3000GT), or such other certificate as the Manager considers to be equivalent;
3. at least 24 months must have been served on ships equivalent to at least 3000GT at least 6 months of which must have been served while holding a certificate as Chief Mate or Chief Mate (<3000GT), or such other certificate as the Managers considers to be equivalent;
have satisfactorily completed an appropriate AMSA approved course of study that meets the relevant standards specified in STCW;
hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
hold a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate; and
have passed an oral examination in appropriate operational knowledge conducted by an AMSA examiner.
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4. Oral Examination

The AMSA oral examination provides a final check on the applicant’s competency before the issue of an STCW Certificate of Competency.

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5. Currency of approved training

Marine Orders Part 3 section 7.3 applies to all AMSA issued certificates, where the issue of a certificate to a person is dependent upon that person satisfactorily completing an approved course, then that course must have been completed:

if the applicant provides proof of continuity of sea service since completion of the course then within 10 years of the certificate being issued; or
in any other case—within 5 years of the certificate being issued,
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6. RAN Vessel Size

The following table indicates the size category each RAN vessel falls into.

Class	Ships	Size category
Destroyers (DDG)	Perth, Hobart, Brisbane	>3000GT
Frigates (FFG)	Canberra, Adelaide, Darwin, Sydney, Melbourne, Newcastle	>3000GT
ANZAC (FFH)	Anzac, Arunta, Stuart, Warramunga, Perth, Parramatta, Ballarat, Toowoomba	>3000GT
Landing Platform Amphibious (LPA)	Kanimbla, Manoora	>3000GT
Auxiliary Oiler Replenishment (AOR)	Success Sirius	>3000GT
Destroyer Tender (AD)	Stalwart	>3000GT
Auxiliary Oiler (AO)	Westralia	>3000GT
INCAT (AP)	Jervis Bay	>3000GT
Survey Ships (Hydrographic)	Moresby	>3000GT
	Cook	>3000GT
	Melville, Leeuwin	>3000GT
Landing Ship Heavy (LSH)	Tobruk	>3000GT
Destroyer Escorts (DE)	Swan, Torrens, Derwent, Parramatta, Yarra	<3000GT
Mine Hunter Coastal (MHC)	Huon, Hawkesbury, Norman, Gascoigne, Diamantina, Yarra	<3000GT
Landing Craft Heavy (LCH)	Balikpapan, Brunei, Labuan, Tarakan, Wewak, Betano	<3000GT
Survey Ships (Hydrographic)	Flinders	<3000GT
Patrol Boats (PB) Fremantle Class	Fremantle, Warrnambool, Townsville, Wollongong, Launceston, Whyalla, Ipswich, Gawler, Dubbo, Cessnock, Bendigo, Geraldton, Geelong, Gladstone, Bunbury	<500GT
Patrol Boats (PB) Armidale Class	Armidale, Bathurst, Bundaberg, Albany, Pirie, Maitland, Ararat, Launceston, Larrakia, Wollongong, Childers and Broome	<500GT
Survey Ships (Hydrographic)	Paluma, Mermaid, Shepparton, Benalla	<500GT
Mine Hunter Inshore (MHI)	Rushcutter, Shoalwater	<500GT
Mine Sweeper Aux (MSA (Small) & MSA (Tug))	Brolga	<500GT
Mine Sweeper Aux (MSA (Small) & MSA (Tug))	Bandicoot Wallaroo	<500GT
Submarines Oberon Class	Onslow, Orion, Otamo	not accepted
Submarines Collins Class	Collins, Farncomb, Waller, Dechaineaux, Sheean, Rankin	not accepted

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Model for AMSA recognition of RAN Sea Service

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