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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
| Required documented qualified sea service as per Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023 | RAN equivalent | Complies |
|---|---|---|
| At least 36 months sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 24 metres. | Applies to RAN Ratings. | Yes/No |
| At least 36 months sea service on RAN vessels greater than or equal to 24 metres. | ||
| Service on RAN submarines of up to 9 months (i.e. 25%) qualifying sea service will be accepted. | ||
| AMSA approved pre-sea course and on-board training program for trainee deck officers, with at least 18 months sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 500 GT. | Applies to RAN Maritime warfare officers only. | Yes/No |
| At least 18 months sea service on RAN vessels greater than or equal to 500 GT. | ||
| Service on RAN submarines of up to 4 and a half months (i.e. 25%) will be accepted. | ||
| *Has completed at least 12 months sea service on voyages of 24 hours duration. | Applies to RAN Maritime warfare officers and RAN Ratings. | Yes/No |
| Has completed at least 12 months sea service on voyages of at least 24 hours duration on RAN vessels. | ||
| *At least six of the above 12 months as either understudy of the officer in charge of a navigation watch, or what AMSA considers equivalent to this. | Applies to RAN Maritime warfare officers and RAN Ratings. | Yes/No |
| At least six of the *above 12 months as either understudy of the officer in charge of a navigation watch, or what AMSA considers equivalent to this. | ||
| The understudy must be performed on RAN surface vessels and not RAN submarines |
Additionally, to qualify for a Certificate of competency, the applicant will need the following:
| Complete additional requirements for Certificate of competency as per Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023 | RAN equivalent | Complies |
|---|---|---|
| AMSA approved course of study from an AMSA approved maritime training organisation for a Watchkeeper deck (STCW Code section A-II/1). | RAN Ratings must complete the full AMSA approved course for Watchkeeper deck (STCW Regulation II/1). | Yes/No |
| RAN Maritime warfare officers who hold a RAN Bridge warfare certificate and a RAN Navigation watchkeeping certificate, must complete an approved bridging course. | ||
| Find an approved course. | To enrol in an AMSA approved bridging course approach an AMSA approved training provider that delivers the STCW Watchkeeper deck course. | |
| AMSA approved course of basic safety training (STCW Code section A-VI/1 paragraph 2). | See Certificate of safety training for Royal Australian Navy personnel. | Yes/No |
| Find an approved course. | ||
| Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (STCW Code section A-VI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4). | RAN Maritime warfare officers and RAN Ratings to complete the full AMSA approved course in Certificate in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats. | Yes/No |
| Find an approved course. | ||
| Advanced firefighting (STCW Code section A-VI/3). | RAN applicant who has completed the Advanced Combat Survivability course in the last five years should approach an AMSA approved registered training organisation and seek a recognition of prior learning. If the course was completed more than five years ago a RAN applicant will need to complete the full AMSA approved course in Advanced firefighting. | Yes/No |
| Find an approved course. | ||
| Medical first aid (STCW Code section A-VI/4 paragraphs 1 to 3). | RAN Maritime warfare officers and RAN Ratings to complete the full AMSA approved course in Medical first aid | Yes/No |
| Find an approved course. | ||
| Security awareness training (STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4). | RAN Maritime warfare officers and RAN Ratings are exempt from this training as RAN security training is considered equivalent to Security awareness training. | Yes |
| Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) generic training is required to serve on an ECDIS equipped vessel {STCW Code Table A-II/I (for navigation at the operational level and Table A-II/2 column 1 (for navigation at the management level)}. | ECDIS generic training is required to serve on an ECDIS equipped vessel. | Yes/No |
| Find an approved course. | {STCW Code Table A-II/I (for navigation at the operational level and Table A-II/2 column 1 (for navigation at the management level)}. | |
| Global Maritime Distress and Safety System Radio Operator certificate (GMDSS ROC) | Hold a current GMDSS ROC | Yes/No |
| Pass an AMSA oral examination for STCW Watchkeeper deck | Pass an AMSA oral examination for STCW Watchkeeper deck | Yes/No |
| Hold a current AMSA Certificate of medical fitness. | Hold a current AMSA Certificate of medical fitness. | Yes/ |