With this certificate you can perform the duties or functions of Watchkeeper deck officer duties on ships less than 500 gross tonnage in any operating area and if endorsed, Watchkeeper deck officer on ships less than 3000 gross tonnage in near coastal waters.
Eligibility
To be eligible for a Watchkeeper deck less than 500 gross tonnage certificate of competency you must meet medical, sea service and course requirements. The requirements depend on whether you are getting a certificate for the first time or revalidating an existing certificate. Each requirement and how to prove that you meet them is explained in these instructions.
This certificate is issued under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 and Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, made under the Navigation Act 2012.
Important disclaimer
These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Master and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014 and Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officers – yachts) 2015. Please refer to these marine orders for full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.
What type of qualification do you need?
New certificate
What do I need to do?
To obtain this certificate, you need to:
- Provide proof of medical fitness
Prior to the initial issue of a certificate of competency and Certificate of recognition you must obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia.
The medical examination can be organised by contacting Sonic HealthPlus. We strongly recommend that you complete the medical examination before you commence training to ensure that you are medically fit for a seagoing career.
To book a medical examination, you can:
- Call toll free: 1300 763 822
- Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au
Read more about medical fitness.
- Complete training courses
You will need to complete these courses:
- Watchkeeper deck less than 500 gross tonnage
- Basic safety training, including security awareness training
- Advanced fire fighting
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats
- Medical first aid.
These courses must be completed with an approved training organisation.
All of the certificates and training you complete and provide evidence of must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
- Provide evidence of sea service
How to apply for sea service assessment
You will need to complete this sea service and then submit a Seafarer form 419 to us so we can assess your sea service and issue you with an AMSA assessment letter. This letter is the evidence you need to prove that you have met the sea service requirements for your qualification. This letter will also instruct you to complete your oral examination.
- Pass an oral examination
Once you have been assessed and issued with an assessment letter you will need to book and successfully pass an oral examination. Read more about booking an oral examination.
- Provide existing certificates
You will need to hold one of the following valid certificates:
- GMDSS radio operators certificate
- GMDSS certificate of recognition
If you are serving on an ECDIS equipped ship, you will also need to hold an ECDIS endorsement.
- How to apply
You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Master less than 500 GT certificate of competency.
Lodge from within Australia
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.
You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement.
Lodge from overseas
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au. When we receive your email we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.
Revalidate certificate
What do I need to do?
To revalidate your certificate, you need to:
- Provide proof of medical fitness
You will need to provide evidence that you are medically fit to perform duties in the capacity of a Watchkeeper deck less than 500 gross tonnage.
To revalidate your current certificate you will need an AMSA medical completed on form 303. If this form is completed outside Australia it must be completed in a country that holds an agreement with us.
Obtain a Certificate of medical fitness in Australia
You can organise a medical examination by contacting Sonic HealthPlus.
To book a medical examination, you can:
- Call toll free: 1300 763 822
- Email: seafarermedicals@sonichealthplus.com.au
Obtain a Certificate of medical fitness from overseas
We will accept a Certificate of medical fitness completed in a country we have an agreement with for revalidation purposes.
You will need to print the relevant medical paperwork and make an appointment with a medical examiner. The medical examiner must be approved by the administration of the country which has an agreement with us.
Read more about medical fitness.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You will need to provide evidence that you have completed sea service performing functions for your current certificate for either:
- At least 12 months in total during the preceding 5 years before application
- 3 months in total during the preceding 6 months prior to revalidating.
All submitted sea service must be documented qualifying sea service. Read more about sea service.
- Complete training courses
All certificates and training must comply with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
If you are revalidating your certificate and you are an overseas permanent resident, Advanced fire fighting and Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats STCW short courses may be completed in a country we have an agreement with.
If you are serving on an ECDIS equipped ship, you will need to hold an ECDIS endorsement.
With required sea service
If you already have the required sea service, you will need to:
- Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming:
- sea service
- your participation in the mandatory abandon ship and fire drills required by SOLAS
- your participation in scheduled drills required by the on board safety management system (see sample template).
- Keep the original of this letter and send us a copy with your application.
- Complete continued competence training for the STCW short courses in Advanced fire fighting and Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats in the previous 5 years.
These continued competence training courses are valid for up to 5 years.
It is a requirement of the STCW Code that seafarers, every five years, provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence in fire fighting and sea survival at the appropriate level, as well as fast rescue boats. Currently AMSA considers this requirement as one of the criteria for issue or revalidation of an Australian seafarer certificate issued under the Navigation Act, as specified in the Marine Order 70 series. In the case of revalidation, this is considered every five years. An Australian seafarer certificate will not lapse or expire if, during the five year period of the certificate’s validity, STCW training has not been maintained by the seafarer.
However, AMSA nonetheless strongly recommends seafarers maintain the currency of their STCW Code training over the life of their Australian seafarer certificate, as this is often enforced by foreign Administrations and companies operating foreign flagged vessels.This simply means that seafarers need to be conscious of the period that has elapsed since they last completed STCW Code training requirements and ensure they renew their training five years from this date, even if the five year period does not coincide with the renewal date of their Australian seafarer certificate.
Without required sea service
If you do not have the required sea service, you will need to complete the full STCW short courses in:
- Advanced fire fighting
- Survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
You will also need to complete one of the following options:
- Complete an approved revalidation course for your certificate within 5 years before applying to revalidate your certificate.
- Complete an oral examination.
- Perform duties and functions that we consider at least equivalent to sea service.
Read more about approved training organisations and revalidating your current certificate.
- Obtain a letter(s) from your employer(s) confirming:
- Additional requirements
You will need to hold one of the following valid certificates:
- GMDSS radio operators certificate
- GMDSS certificate of recognition
If you are serving on an ECDIS equipped ship, you will also need to hold an ECDIS endorsement.
- How to apply
You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419.
Lodging from within Australia
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.
You will need to pay the fees for your application at the post office at the time of lodgement.
Lodging from overseas
You will need to fill out the Seafarer form 419, attach all required supporting documents including a colour passport-style photograph and send the paperwork to us by email to STCW.applications@amsa.gov.au. When we receive your email we will let you know how to pay the fee for your application via AMSA online portal.