Maritime Certification Guide

STCW certificates, flag state endorsements, certificate of competency requirements and renewal procedures for deck and engineering officers.

STCW Certificates

20+ types

COC Revalidation

Every 5 years

Flag States

170+

Manila Amendments

2010, in force 2012

STCW Certificates Reference

Certificate	STCW Ref	Who Needs It	Renewal	Type
STCW Basic Safety Training PSSR, FPFF, EFA, PST	STCW V/1	All seafarers	5 years	Mandatory
Certificate of Competency (OICNW) Navigation, GMDSS, BST	STCW II/1	Deck officers (OOW)	5 years revalidation	COC
Certificate of Competency (Master) Advanced Nav, Management	STCW II/2	Ship masters	5 years revalidation	COC
GMDSS Radio Operator (GOC) GMDSS, distress comms, EPIRB	STCW IV/2	Deck officers, radio officers	5 years	Mandatory
Advanced Fire Fighting On-scene commander, fire teams	STCW VI/3	Senior officers	5 years	Mandatory
Medical First Aid (MFAC) First aid, medical care at sea	STCW VI/4-1	Officers and ratings	5 years	Mandatory
Security Awareness Training (SAT) ISPS awareness, reporting threats	STCW VI/6	All seafarers	No renewal	Mandatory
Ship Security Officer (SSO) Security drills, ISPS compliance	STCW VI/5	Designated SSO	5 years	Special
ECDIS Type-Specific Manufacturer-specific ECDIS course	STCW II/1 Annex	All OOW navigators	No set renewal	Special
Chief Engineer COC (III/2) Engineering management, machinery	STCW III/2	Chief Engineer (unlimited)	5 years revalidation	COC
Officer in Charge Engine Watch Marine engineering, electrotechnics	STCW III/1	Engineer officers (OOW)	5 years revalidation	COC

Deck Career Path

Ordinary Seaman / Cadet

BST (STCW V/1-1)

Starting point — cadetship or rating training

Able Seaman (AB)

Watchkeeping Rating

Proficiency in Watchkeeping (STCW II/4) — 18 months sea service

Officer of the Watch (OOW)

COC OICNW (II/1)

Unlimited or near-coastal depending on flag state

Chief Officer / 1st Mate

COC Chief Mate (II/2)

Chief Mate Unlimited — management level qualification

Master

COC Master Mariner (II/2)

Highest deck qualification — command of any vessel

Engineering Career Path

Engine Cadet / Motorman

BST + Engine Watchkeeping

Cadetship combining practical and classroom training

4th / 3rd Engineer

COC Engineer Officer III/1

Engine room watchkeeping officer

2nd Engineer

COC 2nd Engineer III/1 > III/2

Responsible for all engine room operations under CE

Chief Engineer

COC Chief Engineer III/2

Senior engineering officer — management level certificate

COC Revalidation Requirements

Sea Service Route

Complete minimum 12 months sea service during the 5-year revalidation period (deck) or approved service equivalent.

Refresher Training Route

Complete approved refresher training covering all mandatory STCW modules for your certificate level — acceptable alternative to sea service.

Mandatory Certificates

BST, GMDSS, AFF, Medical First Aid must be individually renewed with valid expiry dates before COC revalidation is granted.

Flag State Endorsement

Foreign COC holders must obtain a flag state endorsement (Recognition) before serving on vessels of that flag state.