STCW stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, which is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention.
The STCW convention sets out the minimum qualification standards required of all Masters, Officers and watch ratings on seagoing merchant ships.
There are three different levels of competency:
⁃ Management
⁃ Operational
⁃ Support
Management level is for Masters, Chief Officers, Chief Engineers and Second Engineers.
Operational is for Second Officers, Third Officers and Third Engineers.
Support is for ratings involved in a navigational or engineering watch.
There are 8 chapters, which are:
Chapter I: General provisions
Chapter II: Master and deck department
Chapter III: Engine department
Chapter IV: Radiocommunication and radio personnel
Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions
Chapter VII: Alternative certification
Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping
The regulations contained in the Convention are supported by sections in the STCW Code. The STCW code is split into two parts, part A which is mandatory and part B which is recommended guidance to help parties implement part A.
The UK government has ratified the STCW convention, so they are required to ensure that anyone who obtains a Certificate of Competency either meets or exceeds the STCW convention.
The UK MCA sets the syllabus for the certificate of competencies for deck, engine and ETO certificates, these are contained within Marine Information Notices (MIN). These syllabuses will be assessed, in whole or in part at your part A and part B assessment, part B commonly being known as the “orals”.
The following MINs contain the syllabuses for:
⁃ Engine and ETO: https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6350010f8fa8f5346a0a3183/MIN_654_Engineering_and_Electro-technical_Officer_Oral_Exam_Syllabus_-_Amendment_1.pdf
The SafeSeas Training platform aligns with the UK MCA syllabus, ensuring that you have all the learning materials you need to pass your assessments, from first phase to final phase.
The UK MCA requires all officer candidates to sit an oral examination – which consists of two parts, part A, which is a computer based assessment, and part B will is a one-to-one assessment with a UK MCA assessor .
You can practice for parts A and B of the assessment, with the SafeSeas Training. We have a Part A Mock Assessment, where you can test your knowledge using the types of question that could come up in your Part A assessment. If you want to practice with open questions and vocalising your answers, our Part B Oral Exam Simulator, which will give you a unique assessment every time.
When you complete your studies and pass part A and part B of your UK MCA assessment, you will be issued a Certificate of Competency. This Certificate of Competency will be at the management, operational or support level and aligns with STCW. Your Certificate of Competency will allow you to sail on any ship of any flag, however, you may need to apply to that flag for a Certificate of Equivalent Competency.
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