Merchant Shipping Act, 1951 (Act No. 57 of 1951)

Regulations

Purchase

[Regulation 28 heading substituted by regulation 15 of Notice No. R. 544, GG 38912, dated 25 June 2015]

For the certificate of competency as deck officer, a candidate shall—

ALTERNATIVE A: Candidates making entry at this level without accelerated training

(1)	be at least 18 years of age;

(2)	have at least 36 months sea service in the deck department on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages;

(3)	have completed, during the required sea service, onboard training that is documented in an approved training record book;

(4)	have performed, during the required sea service, bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer for at least six months; and

(5)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE B: Candidates making entry at this level following accelerated training

(1)	be at least 18 years of age;

(2)	have at least 12 months sea service in the deck department on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages as part of an approved accelerated training programme that includes onboard training documented in an approved training record book;

(3)	have performed, during the required sea service, bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer for at least six months; and

(4)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE C: Candidates holding certificate of competency as mate (< 500GT near-coastal or unlimited) or master (< 200GT near-coastal or unlimited)

(1)	have completed at least six months bridge watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages; and

(2)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE D: Candidates holding certificate of competency as master (< 500GT near-coastal)

(1)	have completed at least three months watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages; and

(2)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE E: Candidates holding certificate of competency as master (< 500GT)

(1)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE F: Candidates holding naval bridge watchkeeping certificate

(1)	have completed, while holding as a minimum the naval bridge watchkeeping certificate, at least six months watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages;

(2)	complete onboard training documented in an approved training record book; and

(3)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.

ALTERNATIVE G: Candidates holding certificate of competency as skipper fishing (≥ 24m unlimited)

(1)	have completed, while holding as a minimum the certificate of competency as skipper fishing ≥ 24m, at least six months watchkeeping duties under the supervision of a certificated deck officer on trading ships of 500GT or more on unlimited voyages;

(2)	complete onboard training documented in an approved training record book; and

(3)	have completed approved training and meet the standards of competence specified in the Code.