This information is for members of the RAN. It outlines how to apply for recognition of your sea service and qualifications. This recognition could help you achieve the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency.

Recognition of sea service

Please provide evidence to support your application for recognition of RAN sea service. This evidence may include PMKeyS printouts and other documentation to support the assessment. If we need further evidence of your qualifying sea service, we will ask you for that. The sea service must be relevant to the certificate you are applying for.

The next step is to seek a formal assessment by AMSA. To apply, please:

• complete the online Seafarer form 419 form
• lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post retail outlet, and
• provide payment and proof of identity when you lodge your application.

You can only claim recognition of prior RAN service once to gain your first STCW certificate of competency. Qualifying sea service for future certificates will be calculated from the date of the first STCW certificate.

The exception is if you remain serving on RAN vessels within the RAN. We will accept this sea service as recognition for ongoing certificates of competency.

Next steps

RAN Maritime warfare officers or Ratings who gain recognition of qualifying sea service must then meet specific obligations as below which are specified in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023 to achieve the Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency. This training is delivered by AMSA-approved training providers.

1. RAN Ratings

Ratings must complete the full AMSA-approved STCW Watchkeeper deck course, and STCW short courses.

2. RAN Maritime warfare officers

RAN Maritime warfare officers must complete the approved bridging course and STCW short courses. These are delivered to officers with:

• qualifying sea service
• a RAN Bridge warfare certificate, and
• a RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate.

The bridging course includes:

• stability
• vessel construction including vessel survey documentation
• cargo operations including tanker familiarisation for oil and chemical, and liquefied gas tankers, and
• preparation for an oral exam.

These subjects are drawn from the AMSA-approved STCW Watchkeeper deck course.

RAN officers and Ratings must also complete the following STCW short courses:

• Basic safety training course (see Certificate of safety training for Royal Australian Navy personnel).
• Advanced fire fighting.
• Medical first aid.
• Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• To serve on an Electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) equipped vessel, complete a generic ECDIS course.
• GMDSS radio operator certificate.

Certificate of competency

The last steps to achieving the certificate of competency are to provide final evidence of course completion and other specifics:

1. The approved training provider will issue a statement of completion for the subjects/units of competency completed. This is for both the approved bridging course, and the full STCW Watchkeeper deck course.
2. If you are a Rating you will need to provide evidence of completing the full Watchkeeper deck course, as well as STCW short courses and GMDSS radio operator certificate.
3. If you are a Maritime warfare officer you will need to provide evidence of holding a RAN Bridge warfare certificate, RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate and Bridging course, as well as STCW short courses and GMDSS radio operator certificate.
4. Maritime warfare officers and Ratings will also need to:
   • pass an AMSA oral assessment
   • hold a valid AMSA Certificate of medical fitness.

This information will meet AMSA requirements for a Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency, as specified in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023.

To apply to AMSA for the Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency please:

• complete the online Seafarer form 419 form including this information
• lodge your application in person at a participating Australia Post retail outlet, and
• provide payment and proof of identity when you lodge your application.

Checklist for applicants

This information is for members of the RAN applying for the Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency.

For more information see Schedule 2 Eligibility requirements for certificates – Watchkeeper deck, of Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023.

Additionally, to qualify for a Certificate of competency, the applicant will need the following:

Measurements below are represented as GT for gross tonnage and length in metres. 

For those listed below, who are either currently serving in the RAN, or have left the RAN, we may recognise qualifying sea service towards an International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended (STCW) master, deck or engineer certificate of competency (provided certain requirements are fulfilled such as vessel size, engine power, etc.):

• RAN Ratings (specialist seaman department)
• RAN Maritime Warfare Officers (Maritime Warfare department)
• RAN Leading Seamen, Petty Officers, Chief Petty Officers or Warrant Officers (Marine Engineering or Electrical Technical department).

Our requirements are set out in:

• Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014
• Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023
• Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014
• Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014
• Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers – yachts) 2015

The above Marine Orders give effect to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended (STCW).

In determining equivalence in service from section 20 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 and equivalence in training section 21 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, AMSA has thoroughly investigated RAN training schemes and identified gaps to be completed for the purpose of issuing a certificate of competency in accordance with STCW.

Qualifying sea service

Fully documented seagoing service as a rating or Maritime Warfare Officer in the maritime warfare department or Leading Seaman, Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer in the marine engineering or electrical department of the RAN, on RAN vessels, may be accepted as qualifying sea service for the purpose of qualifying for a STCW certificate of competency.

You must provide evidence to support the RAN sea service you are asking us to recognise and may include PMKeyS printouts and other documentation to support your sea service assessment. We reserve the right to request further evidence of qualifying sea service if required. We may also discount all or part of the sea service if it is considered of little or no relevance to the certificate being applied for.

If you believe you have sufficient qualifying sea service for a STCW certificate you should, in the first instance, have your qualifying sea service formally assessed by AMSA. To apply for a qualifying sea service assessment, you should complete form AMSA419 and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet .

At the time of lodgement, you will be asked to pay a fee for the qualifying sea service assessment.

Qualifying sea service limiting factors

1. Once you have gained your first STCW certificate of competency, qualifying sea service required for future STCW certificates will be accrued from the date of issue of your first STCW certificate of competency (i.e. sea service gained when serving in the RAN and prior to the issue of your first STCW certificate will not be accepted for your second and subsequent STCW certificates). However, we will accept qualifying sea service accrued on RAN vessels after the issue of your first STCW certificate of competency if you remain serving within the RAN.

2. Qualifying sea service on a RAN vessel may be recognised when the vessel is underway for:

• At least two-thirds or more of the RAN posting—the posting being the whole period the person was posted to that vessel—accepted in full; or
• Less than two-thirds of the RAN posting—the actual period underway plus 50 per cent of that period.

Submarine qualifying sea service

Engineer certificates: fully documented qualifying sea service on RAN submarines may be accepted in full towards an engineer certificate of competency.

Master and deck certificates: fully documented qualifying sea service on RAN submarines may be accepted towards a Master or deck certificate of competency as follows:

• Watchkeeper deck (STCW Reg. II/1) - a maximum of four and a half months (i.e. 25%) of the required 18 months qualifying sea service.
• Chief mate (STCW Reg. II/2) - a maximum of three months (i.e. 25%) of the required 12 months qualifying sea service since holding STCW Watchkeeper deck or RAN Bridge Warfare Certificate and RAN Navigation Watchkeeping Certificate.
• Master less than 3000 GT or Master (STCW Reg. II/2) - a total maximum of nine months (i.e. 25%) of the required 36 months sea service since holding STCW Watchkeeper deck or RAN Bridge Warfare Certificate and RAN Navigation Watchkeeping Certificate

Ratings

The sea service of ratings who have served in the specialist seaman department (for example Boatswain category) of the RAN, on RAN vessels, may be recognised as sea service towards obtaining a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper deck.

Maritime Warfare Officer

The sea service of a Maritime Warfare Officer in the Maritime Warfare department of the RAN, on RAN vessels, may be recognised as qualifying sea service towards obtaining a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper deck. Chief mate, Master less than 3000 GT or Master.

Leading Seaman, Petty Officer, Chief Petty Officer and Warrant Officer (Marine Engineering or Electrical Technical)

The sea service of Leading Seamen, Petty Officers, Chief Petty Officers and Warrant Officers who have served in the Marine Engineering or Electrical Technical department of the RAN, on RAN vessels may be recognised as qualifying sea service towards obtaining a certificate of competency as Engineer Watchkeeper, Engineer class 2 or Engineer class 1.

Note: Applications for sea service assessments, recognition of qualifying sea service and recognition of training from personnel who have served or are serving in foreign navies will not be accepted or considered by AMSA and should be referred to the maritime administration of that country. For this reason, AMSA will not enter into dialogue to discuss this matter with you.

When you apply for a sea service assessment you must also supply a letter and sufficient documents, which may include PMKeyS printouts, Fleet activity schedules and Fleet generation plans from the RAN explaining their employment detail in terms of watchkeeping on main propulsion or auxiliary machinery, day-work maintenance, or others. The list of required documents will be listed on the checklist generated on the Seafarer form 419.

We have assessed the following RAN service and qualifications as suitable for entry into the appropriate certificate of competency oral assessment. The RAN has converted all of its previously recognised certificates—for example machinery charge certificates—into the relevant certificates named in the information noted below. If you have documents in the old style RAN nomenclature/terminology you should apply to the RAN for assessment of their qualifications and re-classification into the new RAN nomenclature/terminology.

Engineer watchkeeper requirements

For issue of an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency you are required to:

• Hold or have held at least the rank and rate of Leading seaman marine technical.
• Hold a RAN advanced certificate in marine propulsion maintenance or certificate in engineering.
  • higher engineering trade and workshop skills qualification (as defined in Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014).
• Have served at least 36 weeks qualifying sea service on RAN vessels or other vessels with propulsion power of 750 kilowatts or more, while holding at least a RAN Machinery watchkeeping certificate or a Marine systems controller.
• Have completed an approved course of study from an AMSA approved training provider for an Engineer watchkeeper which complies with STCW Code section A-III/1.
• Have completed the following approved STCW short courses:
  • Basic safety training course, which includes security awareness training
  • Advanced fire fighting
  • Medical first aid on board ships
  • Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• Hold the following valid certificates:
  • AMSA Certificate of medical fitness.

Applicant will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Engineer class 2 requirements

For issue of an Engineer class 2 certificate of competency you are required to:

• Hold or have held at least the rank and rate of Petty officer marine technical
• RAN Advanced diploma of engineering in marine systems maintenance or a Diploma of engineering
• Have at least 12 months qualifying sea service on vessels with propulsion power of 750 kilowatts or more while holding an RAN MT Engine room watchkeeping certificate or a Marine systems manager certificate
• Have completed an AMSA approved course of study from an AMSA approved training provider for an Engineer class 2 and Engineer watchkeeper
• Have completed the following approved STCW short courses:
  • Basic safety training course, which includes Security awareness training
  • Advanced fire fighting
  • Medical first aid on board ships
  • Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats
• Hold the following valid certificates:
  • AMSA Certificate of medical fitness.

You will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Engineer class 1 requirements

For issue of an Engineer class 1 certificate of competency an applicant is required to meet the requirements of Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 as follows:

• Hold or have held at least the rank and rate of Chief petty officer marine technical
• RAN Advanced diploma of engineering in marine systems
• Have completed at least 36 months sea service in charge of an engine room watch on ships greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts propulsion power of the kind to which the certificate relates:
  • while holding an RAN Machinery watchkeeping certificate or Marine systems controller certificate, of which at least 12 months was on ships greater than or equal to 3000 kilowatts using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate relates
  • while holding a RAN Charge certificate
• Complete an AMSA approved course of study from an AMSA approved training provider for an Engineer class 1
• Have completed the following approved STCW short courses:
  • Basic safety training course, which includes security awareness training
  • Advanced fire fighting
  • Medical first aid on board ships
  • Certificate in Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats
• Hold the following valid certificates:
  • AMSA Certificate of Medical Fitness.

You will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Electro technical officer (ETO) Certificate of competency 2 requirements

For issue of an ETO certificate of competency a RAN applicant is required to meet the requirements detailed in Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014, which may be completed during relevant RAN service and training, on board appropriate RAN vessels and:

• Have completed an approved training course that:
  • includes a program of workshop skills training.
  • complies with STCW Code section A-III/6 and includes the following:
    • training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code section A VI/3)
    • training in medical first aid
    • security awareness training.
• Have completed at least 6 months documented qualifying seagoing service on vessels with a total installed electrical generation capacity of greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts as part of an approved training program.
• Have completed an approved course of basic safety training that includes security awareness training.
• Hold a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• Hold a valid AMSA medical fitness certificate.
• You will also need to pass an oral examination before being issued a certificate.

Qualifying sea service

Qualifying sea service that is documented in the RAN is counted in full as engineering sailor in engineering department.

Qualifying sea service must have been accrued on ships using propulsion of the kind to which the certificate of competency relates. Service on gas turbine ships will count in full towards the total required qualifying sea service for the following:

• Engineer watchkeeper certificate: 20 weeks
• Engineer class 2 certificate: 6 months
• Engineer class 1 certificate: 6 months.

RAN sea service on day work may count to the same quantity as allowed for in Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, and Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014. However the service must be related to engine room duties.

We may recognise RAN qualifying sea service and qualifications towards a STCW Chief Mate, Master less than 3000 GT or Master certificate of competency. You will not qualify for one of these certificates, if you are a Maritime Warfare Officer not involved in navigational duties.

If you are a RAN Rating you are not eligible for direct entry into the STCW Chief mates/Shipmasters course. You must first get a STCW Watchkeeper deck certificate of competency.

The current academic requirement for these certificates of competency is the AMSA approved advanced diploma STCW Chief mate/Shipmasters course.

Find an approved training organisation.

Qualifying sea service

To qualify for a STCW certificate of competency, you must meet the qualifying sea service requirements in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023. You must provide evidence to support the RAN sea service you are asking us to recognise. This includes PMKeyS printouts and documentation to support your sea service assessment. We reserve the right to request further evidence of qualifying sea service. We may also discount all or part of the sea service if it is of little or no relevance to the certificate you are applying for.

If you believe you have enough qualifying sea service for a STCW certificate of competency you can have it assessed by AMSA. To apply for a qualifying sea service assessment, you should complete Seafarer form 419 and lodge it at a participating Australia Post retail outlet.

At the time of lodgement, you will have to pay a fee for the qualifying sea service assessment.

Sea service required for future STCW certificates will accrue from the date of issue of your first STCW certificate of competency. This means we will not accept the sea service gained serving in the RAN and before the issue of your first STCW certificate, for your next and later STCW certificates. However, we will accept qualifying sea service on RAN vessels after the issue of your first STCW certificate of competency, if you remain serving within the RAN.

Chief mate requirements 

To get a certificate, you must meet all the requirements contained in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023.

We will accept documented seagoing service as meeting the qualifying sea service requirements if it is:

• At least 12 months on RAN vessels of greater or equal to 500 GT.
• Voyages of at least 24 hours.
• As a RAN Maritime Warfare Officer.
• Holding a RAN Bridge warfare and RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate.
• Your service must be RAN navigational duties. Such as officer in charge of the navigational watch, navigator, hydrographer, executive officer or commanding officer. 

If you meet the qualifying sea service for a Chief mate contact an AMSA approved training provider to get more information regarding the course. You will also need to complete the STCW Watchkeeper Deck Bridging course. Find an approved training organisation.

The approved STCW Watchkeeper Deck Bridging course consists of the following subjects:

• stability
• vessel construction including vessel survey documentation
• cargo operations including tanker familiarisation for oil & chemical and liquefied gas tankers.

You must also complete the following STCW short courses at an AMSA approved training provider:

• Basic safety training course. Refer to Certificate of safety training for Royal Australian Navy personnel.
• Advanced firefighting.
• Medical care on board ship. 
• Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• To serve on a vessel equipped with an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). Complete a generic ECDIS course.
• GMDSS Radio Operator certificate.

You will also need to pass an AMSA oral assessment, hold a valid GMDSS Radio Operator certificate and a valid certificate of medical fitness.

When you have met the requirements for Chief Mate contained in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023, apply using Seafarer form 419. Lodge at an Australia Post outlet.

At the time of lodgement, you will have to pay a fee for the issue of your certificate of competency.

Master and Master less than 3000 GT requirements

To get a certificate, you must meet all the requirements contained in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023.

We accept documented seagoing service of up to 30 months as a RAN Maritime Warfare Officer subject to vessel size. Holding a RAN Bridge warfare and RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate. Serving as an executive or commanding officer:

• For a Master less than 3000 GT certificate the RAN vessels must be equal to or greater than 24 metres in length.
• For a Master certificate the RAN vessels must be equal to or greater than 500 GT. With at least 6 months of the 30 months served on vessels equal to or greater than 1500 GT.

If you wish to get a Master less than 3000 GT or Master certificate of competency you must complete at least 6 months qualifying sea service on commercial vessel(s), of the required size, on voyages of at least 24 hours duration.

Your combined RAN and commercial sea service must total at least 36 months. At least 30 months on RAN vessels and at least 6 months served on commercial vessels. At least 24 months of your 36 months qualifying sea service must be on voyages of at least 24 hours duration. 

If you meet the qualifying sea service for a Master less than 3000 GT or Master contact an AMSA approved training provider to get more information on the course. You will also need to complete the STCW Watchkeeper Deck Bridging course. Find an approved training organisation.

The approved STCW Watchkeeper Deck Bridging course consists of the following subjects:

• stability
• vessel construction including vessel survey documentation
• cargo operations including tanker familiarisation for oil & chemical and liquefied gas tankers.

You must also complete the following STCW short courses at an AMSA approved training provider:

• Basic safety training course. Refer to Certificate of safety training for Royal Australian Navy personnel.
• Advanced firefighting.
• Medical care on board ship.
• Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.
• To serve on a vessel equipped with an electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS). Complete a generic ECDIS course.
• GMDSS Radio Operator certificate.

You will also need to pass an AMSA oral assessment, hold a valid GMDSS Radio Operator certificate and a valid certificate of medical fitness.

When you have met the requirements for Master less than 3000 GT or Master in Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023 apply using Seafarer form 419. Lodge at an Australia Post outlet.

At the time of lodgement you will have to pay a fee for the issue of your certificate of competency.

Checklist for RAN applicants for:

• Chief mate

• Master <3000 GT

• Master certificates of competency

Read more in Schedule 2, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023, Eligibility requirements for certificates. 

Chief mate – academic and qualifying sea service requirements

 Master less than 3000 GT – academic and qualifying sea service requirements

Master – academic and qualifying sea service requirements

RAN personnel must meet the same requirement as any other applicant wishing to gain equivalence for CoST. A CoST will be issued to serving or former RAN personnel who meet these requirements. The full requirements for a CoST are contained in Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014.