What will I need to join the course?

1 a) 36 months sea-service in any acceptable deck capacity:
or
b) 12 months following an approved MNTB course of VQ training
No remission of sea-time is given.

Please see MGN 91 (M) & MGN 92 (M) for full details. These are available and can be downloaded from the MCA's website:
http://www.mcga.gov,uk/publications/mnotice/index.htm

You can email queries to: exams_section@mcga.gov.uk

2 During your final year's sea service, six months of this period must be spent on duties associated with bridge watchkeeping under the guidance of a certificated officer. These periods should be of at least eight hours a day and not haphazard periods now and again

You will also have to hold/obtain

- Eyesight of sufficient standard to pass Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) test
- Letter of testimonial covering the last year's sea service, stating ability, conduct and sobriety and certifying the requirement of paragraph (2) above. Specimen testimonial available from MGN 91, page 10 – Appendix 1A.
- Valid medical certificate
- EDH and CPSC certificates - (course length one week each)
- Steering certificate if no EDH certificate held.
- Medical First Aid Aboard Ship - (course length three days)
- Advanced Fire-Fighting - (course length four days)
- GMDSS (GOC) - (course length eight days)
- NaRaST (Operational level) - (course length five weeks)

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) will not issue a notice of eligibility to a candidate who has not fulfilled the requirement of qualifying sea-service

Short course certificates, from certain countries, which have been issued under the International Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW95) MAY be acceptable to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), but:-

Please note that for any seatime confirmation or short course acceptability, you must contact the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) directly. In the case of overseas students' this should be done before arrival in the UK-

What will I be doing?

You will be studying:-
• Ship Stability Ship construction Cargowork
• Tankerwork Ocean and Offshore Navigation Coastal Navigation
• Meteorology Management & Law Orals/Signals

What do I need to bring to College?

Parallel rulers (at least 40cm), dividers, compasses, protractor, pencils, erasers, pens and a non-programmable, scientific calculator (CASIO type is recommended).
You should also obtain a book on the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea.

How long will the course last and what patterns of attendance are available?

Officer of the Watch course will involve approximately 12 months including all mandatory short cources.

How will my progress on the course be assessed?

2 x SCOTVEC External Examination Papers in Coastal Navigation and Cargo Ops. & Stability
Edexcel (formerly BTEC) college set assessments
Signals – Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA), Internal Exam
ORALS - Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) Examiner

What will I achieve?

Having successfully passed all elements required, you can apply to the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) for your Officer of the Watch (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency. This will entitle you to sail as an Officer of the Watch on any sized vessel trading worldwide.

When can I come to College?

Courses commence in May, September and December.

Radio Officers wishing to convert to Deck Officers should contact:

The Merchant Navy Training Board
Carthusian Court
12 Carthusian Street
London ECIB6EB Tel: 0171 417 8400

Important Information

British candidates are advised to apply to their local Education Authority for a Further Education Discretionary Award to assist with some of the costs.

If you are not of British Nationality, would you please note that you will require a VISA and a Certificate of Medical Fitness.

The College is non-residential. Accommodation is mainly with local landladies (cost per week approximately £70-90). Enquiries regarding accommodation should be made to Overseas Consultant.

What should I do now?

Contact Maritime Consultant for OOW courses on +44 (0)7733202762.
or - e-mail v.patra@lowestoft.ac.uk or - fax +44 (0) 1502 525106

It is the policy of this College that all people are entitled to equality of opportunity in education and training.
All programmes run subject to satisfactory enrolment.
This information is issued without prejudice to the right of the college to make such modifications to the matters dealt with as the college considers necessary without prior notice.