A Coxswain Grade 1 can command and operate the engines of commercial vessels that meet these criteria:
| Length | Less than 12 metres. |
|---|---|
| Propulsion power | Inboard engine under 500 kilowatts. Any outboard engine. |
| Operating area | Inshore waters. Any waters designated for Coxswain Grade 1 under state or territory waterway management legislation. If operating as a tender: within 3 nautical miles of a parent vessel. |
This certificate also lets you:
- act as a chief mate or deck watchkeeper on a vessel <24m long in inshore waters.
- undertake the duties and perform the functions of a General Purpose Hand NC, Coxswain Grade 3 NC and Coxswain Grade 2 NC.
When you're ready to apply:
What do you need to apply for?
New certificate
To obtain this certificate, you will need to:
- Check your eligibility
To be eligible for this certificate you must be:
- at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date
- able to speak, read and understand English
- medically fit for the duties required.
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
If you have colour deficient vision, you will be restricted to working only in daylight hours.
- Provide evidence of sea service
Type of sea service required
You need to show you have experience working at sea:
- in a deck, or a deck and engineering capacity.
Amount of sea service required
You can reduce the amount of sea service you need by completing an AMSA task book.
With an AMSA task book Without an AMSA task book 30 days on commercial vessels at least 5 metres long. 150 days on commercial or recreational vessels at least 5 metres long. Recording your sea service
Use at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book.
- Complete a training course
Complete a Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) at a registered training organisation (RTO).
- Pass a final assessment
You must complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) with a registered training organisation (RTO).
Use the course syllabus PDF446.6 KB to find out what may be included in your final assessment.
- Obtain first aid and marine radio certificates
You must also hold both:
- a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
- a marine radio 'Short range operator certificate of proficiency' (SROCP) card or higher.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- evidence of your sea service
- your Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) course completion certificate
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a marine radio 'Short range operator certificate of proficiency' (SROCP)
- the cover page of your final assessment (AMPA)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
- Apply for an interim certificate
After applying for your certificate, you can apply for an interim certificate of competency from your RTO.
This will allow you to start working immediately (for up to 60 days while we assess your application).
The decision to issue an interim certificate is at the discretion of the RTO.
Renewal
A Coxswain Grade 1 certificate is valid for 5 years. To keep working, you need to apply to renew your certificate before it expires.
To renew your certificate you need to:
- Declare your medical fitness
As part of the renewal application process, we will ask you to declare that you are medically fit to work at sea. This includes declaring any changes to your eyesight.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- your existing Coxswain Grade 1 (if you are applying online, there will be a copy in your myAMSA account)
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
Add an endorsement
Ferry-in-chains endorsement
This endorsement allows you to command and operate the engines of a vehicular ferry-in-chains attached to the shore by a cable
You can apply for this endorsement when applying for a new certificate, or add it to an existing certificate.
To add this to a new certificate, include the following with your application for a new certificate:
- 20 days sea service on a ferry in chains.
To add this to your existing certificate:
- Declare your medical fitness
You must declare that you are medically fit to work at sea. This includes declaring any changes to your eyesight.
- Provide evidence of sea service
You need to show you have at least 20 days sea service working in a deck, or deck and engineering role on a ferry in chains.
Submit at least one of the following as proof of qualifying sea service:
- Record of sea service form 771
- the on board sea service record from your task book
- a letter from the vessel operator, owner, master or chief engineer detailing your sea service
- an approved sea service log book
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- your existing Coxswain Grade 1 (if you are applying online, there will be a copy in your myAMSA account)
- evidence of your sea service
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
Equivalent certificate
If you hold any of the following AMSA certificates, you can work as a Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal:
- Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts)
- Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts)
- Master <500 GT (Yachts)
- Master 3000 GT (Yachts)
You do not need to hold a Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal to work while holding one of these certificates, but you can choose to apply for one as equivalent.
To get a Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal:
- Complete medical and eyesight test
You will need to see a medical practitioner to check that you are medically fit for working at sea. They will assess you in line with AMSA’s medical requirements.
Download the Certificate of medical fitness for domestic seafarers (AMSA form 1850) and follow the instructions on the form.
If you have a current Certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 303) you can use this instead.
- Complete first aid training
You must hold a current 'Provide first aid' certificate (HLTAID011), or equivalent.
If your first aid or medical certificate expires within 90 days of submitting your application, we may request an updated certificate.
- Submit your application
- Gather the required documents:
- a signed and current certificate of medical fitness (AMSA form 1850)
- a current first aid certificate (HLTAID011 'Provide first aid' certificate, or equivalent)
- your existing certificate
- a colour passport-sized photograph that meets our requirements.
- Log in to myAMSA using your Australian Government myID.
- Fill in the application form online and upload copies of your documents.
- Pay the required fee and submit your application online.
If you cannot use myAMSA
Complete and print the Certificate of competency application (AMSA form 426). Submit the form with copies of the required documents at a participating Australia Post outlet. You will also need to provide proof of your identity.
- Gather the required documents:
After submitting your application
We will confirm receipt of your application, and you can check your application's progress in myAMSA.
We will also contact you if:
- your application is incomplete
- the documents you provided are not suitable
- we need more information to make our assessment.
See our incomplete application policy.
The regulations
Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022 provides for certificates of competency and sets out the standards for the qualifications of the crew and masters on domestic commercial vessels.