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Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal

This is a domestic Certificate of Competency for operating in Australian waters.
This certificate lets you act as chief engineer or second engineer on certain vessels.

The Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal certificate of competency will allow you to operate:

  • As chief engineer on vessels with inboard engines with propulsion power up to 1500 kilowatts within the exclusive economic zone (EEZ).
  • As second engineer on vessels with inboard engines with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts within the EEZ.
  • As chief or second engineer on vessels with outboard engines with unlimited propulsion power within the EEZ.
  • As an assistant under the general supervision of the chief engineer within the EEZ.
  • In the engine room of a vessel up to 100 metres long with propulsion power up to 3000 kilowatts within the EEZ.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal certificate of competency you must:

  • Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date.
  • Be able to speak and understand English, including written documents
  • Hold a Marine engine driver grade 2 or a workshop skill equivalent qualification.
  • Be medically fit for the duties, including eyesight
  • Gain any needed sea service
  • Complete training
  • Pass a final assessment

For more information, select what you need to apply for below.

Syllabus

Trade qualification assessment

AMSA does not assess trade qualifications. If you hold a trade qualification not listed in Marine Order 505, you will need to get assessed as equivalent to one that is listed. An RTO who delivers one of the qualifications or trades listed in Marine Order 505 can do this through a recognition of prior learning (RPL).  We will accept a letter of equivalence from this RTO once your trade has been assessed as equivalent.

Please note: An RTO may request you to do skills gap training.

Important disclaimer

These instructions are summary information only. We make decisions about seafarer certificates under Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency — national law) 2022. This document has full details of eligibility and other requirements for certificate applications.

New certificate

What do I need to do?

To get this certificate you will need to:

Renewal of certificate

A Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal certificate of competency is generally valid for five years. To keep working using your certificate, you need to renew it every five years.

Endorsements and restrictions

Endorsement as chief engineer on vessels with steam propulsion less than 750 kilowatts in the EEZ

To obtain this endorsement you will need to:

Related information

If you would like to find out more about endorsements, refer to the National Regulator Endorsements Approval 2014 (PDF 255.78 KB).

Equivalent certificate

If you hold any of the following certificates, we welcome you to apply for a Marine engine driver grade 1 certificate of competency as an equivalent certificate: 

  • Engineer Watchkeeper (Motor) 
  • Engineer Watchkeeper (Motor and Steam) 

What do I need to do?

To get a Marine engine driver grade 1 near coastal you will need to:

Last updated: 

Tuesday 2 May 2023