Engineer watchkeeper

What do I need to do?

To get 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 hold a valid Certificate of medical fitness. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017 you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform those duties.

For initial issue of a Certificate of competency you are required to 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

Engineer cadets

If you are an Engineer cadet, and have been one for a minimum of 3 years, you must complete these courses to obtain an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency:

• an approved course of workshop skills of no less than 36 weeks duration
• an approved course of study from an approved seafarer training organisation (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)
• complete a training record book
• 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.

Trainee engineers

If you are a Trainee engineer, you must complete these courses to obtain an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency:

• a workshop skills equivalent qualification (Engineer certificate III or one of the 11 relevant trades specified) or another approved qualification that includes workshop skills (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)
• an approved course of study from an approved seafarer training organisation (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)
• complete a training record book
• 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.

Engineers

If you are an engineer holding an unrestricted state or territory issued Engineer class 3 or Engineer class 3 near coastal qualification, you must complete these courses to obtain an Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency:

• workshop skills as determine by the registered training organisation, taking into account any relevant education, skills or practical experience (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)
• an approved course of study from an approved seafarer training organisation (as per STCW Code section A-III/1)
• complete a training record book
• 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

Engineer cadets

If you are an Engineer cadet, and have been one for a minimum of 3 years, you must complete 36 weeks of sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts. 26 weeks of this service must be performed on engineer room watchkeeping duties under the supervision of an engineer officer.

Trainee engineers

If you are a Trainee engineer, you must complete 36 weeks of sea service on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts. 26 weeks of this service must be performed on engineer room watchkeeping duties under the supervision of an engineer officer.

Engineers

If you are an engineer holding an unrestricted state or territory issued Engineer class 3 or Engineer class 3 near coastal qualification, you must complete 26 weeks of sea service while holding an unrestricted Engineer class 3, or Engineer class 3 near coastal certificate on vessels greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts.

All submitted sea service must be documented qualifying sea service. Read more about 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.

How to apply

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 to be assessed towards the requirements for a Engineer watchkeeper 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.

With additional sea service and training courses, you can qualify for:

• Engineer class 2 certificate of competency
• Electro-technical officer certificate of competency

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 an Engineer watchkeeper. As per Marine Order 76 (Health—medical fitness) 2017 you can only perform the duties of a seafarer on a relevant vessel if you are medically fit to perform the duties.

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.

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) and be with an organisation we have approved.

If you are revalidating your certificate and you are an overseas permanent resident, some STCW short courses may be completed in a country we have an agreement with.

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
• Proficiency in 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.

How to apply

You will need to lodge a formal application using the Seafarer form 419 to revalidate your qualification as an Electro-technical officer 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.

Get an endorsement

There are two endorsements you can add to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency.

Endorsement as Second engineer

This endorsement adds Second engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in any operating area. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

• at least 12 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts propulsion power
• approved training in engineering management.

Endorsement as Chief engineer

This endorsement adds Chief engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts operating in near coastal waters. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

• at least 24 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 375 kilowatts propulsion power
• 12 months of this sea service must have been done while holding a Marine engine driver grade 1 near certificate of competency, or an unrestricted Marine engine driver grade 1 certificate of competency
• approved training in engineering management.

With additional sea service and training courses, you can qualify for:

• Engineer class 2 certificate of competency
• Electro-technical officer certificate of competency

There are two endorsements you can add to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency.

Endorsement as Second engineer

This endorsement adds Second engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts in any operating area. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

• at least 12 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 750 kilowatts propulsion power
• have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3.

Endorsement as Chief engineer

This endorsement adds Chief engineer duties to your Engineer watchkeeper certificate of competency on ships less than 3000 kilowatts operating in near coastal waters. To add this endorsement, you must have completed:

• at least 24 months sea service on ships greater than or equal to 375 kilowatts propulsion power
• 12 months of this sea service must have been done while holding the STCW endorsement as Second Engineer (less than 3000 kilowatts), Marine engine driver grade 1 near certificate of competency, or an unrestricted Marine engine driver grade 1 certificate of competency
• have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section A-III/3.

Read get an endorsement for your certificate