Part A
Licences
1 Master
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1.1 A commercial vessel shall carry in command a person who is qualified as follows—
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.1 he or she is the holder of a licence issued by the Administration under regulation IX/3 stating that he or she is qualified to have command of such a vessel;
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.2 the licence is in force and is of a grade appropriate in respect to the waters in which the vessel is being navigated, the size of the vessel and the number of passengers carried; and
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.3 the vessel is in an area specified in the licence as one in which a vessel may be navigated under the command of the holder; or
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1.2 The holder of a certificate of competency as a Master issued in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention may command any vessel under the Code, subject to any limitations of that certificate of competency.
2 Engineers
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2.1 A commercial vessel fitted with main propulsion machinery of up to 750kW (1000 hp), shall where an engineer is required by the Administration, carry as engineer a person who is qualified as follows—
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.1 he or she is the holder of a licence issued by the Administration under regulation IX/3 stating that he or she is qualified to be in charge of the main and auxiliary machinery of such a vessel;
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.2 the licence is in force and is of a grade appropriate in respect both of the waters in which the vessel is being navigated; and
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.3 the vessel is in an area specified in the licence as one in which a vessel may be operated under the charge of the holder; or
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2.2 The holder of a certificate of competency as an engineer officer issued in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention may be carried as engineer in any vessel under the Code, subject to any limitations of that certificate of competency.
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2.3 Except as authorised by the Administration, vessels having main propulsion machinery of a power of 750kW (1000hp) and over shall carry engineers qualified in accordance with the STCW Convention.
2 A Crew
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2A 1. A commercial vessel required by the Administration to carry crew, in addition to a Master and Boat Engineer, shall carry as such crew, persons who hold the additional qualifications identified in section 1.2 of Annex 11 of the Code.
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2A 2. A passenger vessel shall carry Masters, Boat Engineers and Crew, as required by the Administration, who have completed the training specified in section A-V/3, paragraphs, 1, 4 and 5 of the Seafarers, Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code, (STCW Code) as appropriate.
3 Licence issue, standards and conditions
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3.1 The Administration may issue licences as Boatmaster or Boat Engineer, as appropriate to persons who meet the requirements of this Regulation. The form of the Boatmaster and Boat Engineer licences are given in Annex 10.
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3.2 An application for a licence under this regulation shall be made in such form as the Administration may from time to time specify.
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3.3 Subject to IX/3.4—
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.1 the standards of competence to be attained and the conditions, including conditions as to medical fitness, to be satisfied by a person in order for a licence to be issued to him under the Code;
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.2 any exceptions applicable with respect to any such standards or conditions;
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.3 the manner in which the attainment of any such standards or the satisfaction of any such conditions is to be evidenced; and
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.4 the conduct of any examinations and the conditions of admission to them;
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shall be those specified in regulations IX/5 to IX/7 and IX/9 to IX/11 or those which may from time to time be specified by the Administration in a Shipping Notice.
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3.4 Notwithstanding that an applicant for a licence under this regulation complies with the standards and satisfies the conditions specified by the Administration, the Administration shall not issue such a licence to the applicant unless it is satisfied, having regard to all the relevant circumstances, that the applicant is a fit person to be the holder of such a licence.
4 Grades and area restrictions of Boatmaster Licences
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4.1 A licence as a Master issued under regulation IX/3 shall bear the title “Boatmaster Licence” and shall be of one of the following grades, which shall be stated in the licence—
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Boatmaster Licence, Grade 1
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Boatmaster Licence, Grade 2
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Boatmaster Licence, Grade 3.
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4.2 The grade of licence appropriate in respect of a vessel when being navigated in waters specified in column (1) of Table IX/4.2, being of the size or type specified in relation to those waters in column (2) of the Table shall be either that specified in relation to those waters and that size or type of vessel in column (3) of the Table or, where the grade so specified is 2 or 3, a higher grade than that so specified—
TABLE IX/4.2
(1)
Waters | (2)
Size and type of vessel | (3)
Minimum Grade of Licence |
| Protected | Open Boat (daylight only) | 3 |
| <24m | 2 |
| Coastal | Open Boat (daylight only) | 3 |
| <12m passenger | 2 |
| <24m other than passenger | 2 |
| 12 – 24m passenger | 1 |
| Exposed | All vessels | 1 |
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4.3 Where a vessel, the master of which is required to hold a Grade 2 licence, is to be operated more than twenty miles from a safe haven, a navigation endorsement is required. The syllabus is a practical test in chartwork and electronic aids to navigation.
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4.4 Where a vessel, the master of which is required to hold a licence, has sails as its principal means of propulsion a sail endorsement is required. The requirement for a sail endorsement is a practical test on boat handling as detailed in Annex 11-1.1.
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4.5 A Boatmaster licence of any grade shall be subject to such restriction as the Administration may determine as to the area or areas in which a vessel may be navigated under the command of the holder; and every such restriction shall be stated in the licence.
5 Requirements for obtaining a Boatmaster Licence
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5.1 In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 3 an applicant shall—
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.1 be eighteen years of age or over;
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.2 have submitted a valid medical certificate in compliance with IX/14;
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.3 have completed a course of ten hours of practical instruction under a licenced Boatmaster in sail or power vessels of appropriate size;
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.4 produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated in Annex 11-1.2; and
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.5 have passed an examination for Boatmaster Grade 3.
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5.2 In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 2 an applicant shall—
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.1 be twenty years of age or over;
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.2 have submitted a valid medical certificate;
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.3 have completed a course of ten hours of practical instruction under a licenced operator in sail or power vessels of appropriate size;
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.4 produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated in Annex 11-1.2; and
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.5 have passed the examination for Boatmaster Grade 2.
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5.3 In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 1 an applicant shall—
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.1 be twenty one years of age;
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.2 have completed a course of ten hours of practical instruction under a licenced operator in sail or power vessels of appropriate size;
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.3 have submitted a valid medical certificate;
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.4 produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated in Annex 11-1.2; and
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.5 have passed the examination for Boatmaster Grade 1.
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.6 Practical Instruction
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Where an applicant is required to have had practical instruction this will be construed as his or her having enough experience to demonstrate proper boat handling skills in whatever craft or vessel the experience may have been given. However, it should be borne in mind that theprospective licence holder needs to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the methods of controlling, handling and directing vessels in emergencies, on the vessels, which he will be entitled to command.
7 Examination for Boatmaster Licences
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7.1 A Boatmaster examination for Grades 2 and 3 consists of two parts. The first of which is an oral examination in which applicants will be tested on their knowledge of safety, navigation, rule of the road and seamanship subjects and also how they respond to certain emergency situations. The second part consists of a practical test carried out on the size of vessel for which the applicant needs a licence. This test requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to handle the vessel in various circumstances.
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7.2 The Boatmaster examination for Grade 1 consists of three parts. The first part of which is an oral examination in which applicants will be tested on their knowledge of safety, rule of the road and seamanship subjects and also how they respond to certain emergency situations. The second part consists of a practical test in chartwork and the use of electronic aids to navigation. The third part is a practical test carried out on a vessel of 12m – 24m in length. This test requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to handle the vessel in various circumstances.
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7.3 An applicant passing only one part of the examination will be allowed to retain the pass in that part for a period of one year subject to the applicant being the holder of a valid medical fitness certificate when re-sitting the other part. Details of the syllabus for each grade are contained in Annex 11-1.1.
8 Grade and Area Restrictions of Boat Engineer Licences
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8.1 A licence as engineer issued under regulation IX/3 shall bear the title “Boat Engineer Licence” and shall be of one of the following grades, which shall be stated in the licence.
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Boat Engineer Licence, Grade 1
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Boat Engineer Licence, Grade 2
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8.2 The grade of licence appropriate in respect of a vessel when being operated in waters specified in column (1) of Table IX/8.2, being of the size specified in relation to those waters in column (2) of the Table shall be either that specified in relation to those waters and that size of vessel in column (3) of the Table or, where the grade so specified is 2, a higher grade than that so specified—
TABLE IX/8.2
(1)
Waters | (2)
Size of vessel | (3)
Minimum Grade of Licence |
| Protected | < 24m | no licence required |
| Coastal | 15 – 24m | 2 |
| Exposed | < 24m | 1 |
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8.3 A Boat Engineer licence of any grade shall be subject to such restriction as the Administration may determine as to the area or areas in which a vessel may be operated under the charge of the holder; and every such restriction shall be stated in the licence.
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8.4 A person required to hold a Boat Engineer Licence on a passenger vessel must also have completed six months service whilst holding the appropriate certificate.
9 Requirements for obtaining a Boat Engineer Licence
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In order to obtain a Boat Engineer Licence an applicant shall—
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.1 be eighteen years of age or over;
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.2 have completed an approved course on the repair and maintenance of engines and associated systems on seagoing vessels;
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.3 have submitted a valid medical certificate;
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.4 produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated in Annex 11-1.2.1; and
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.5 have passed the examination for Boat Engineer.
10 Approved Course
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10.1 An approved course is a course approved by the Administration, which covers the syllabus given in Annex 11-2. A Certificate of Attendance will be given by the course organisers to persons satisfactorily completing the course.
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10.2 Persons who are able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administration that they have appropriate engineering experience may be granted an exemption from the requirement to attend an approved course.
11 Examination for Boat Engineer Licences
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11.1 A Boat Engineer examination for Grades 1 and 2 consists of an oral examination in which applicants shall be tested on their knowledge of marine engines, propulsion systems, auxiliary machinery systems outboard engines, safe working practices and how the candidate responds to certain emergency situations.
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11.2 The examination for a Boat Engineer Licence shall be based on the syllabus given in Annex 11-2 at a level appropriate to the Grade of Licence applied for and its range of application.
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11.3 A candidate who is unsuccessful in the examination shall resit the entire examination.
12 Existing licences
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12.1 Subject to IX/12.2, the standards of competence to be attained and the conditions to be satisfied by the holder of an existing licence to operate commercial vessels in order for a licence to be issued to that person under this Chapter, shall be such standards and conditions as were to be satisfied by that person in order for the existing licence to be issued. Accordingly, the Administration shall on the application of the holder of an existing licence issue to that person a licence under this Chapter; and the licence shall—
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.1 be of the grade which is appropriate in respect of—
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.1 a vessel when being navigated/operated in waters in the area or areas stated in the existing licence as the area or areas of operation; and
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.2 the size of vessel which in the period of 12 months before the coming into force of the Code was navigated/operated in that area under the command or charge of the holder of the existing licence; and
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.2 state the area or areas in which a vessel may be navigated/operated under the command or charge of the holder, as the area or areas stated in the existing licence as the area or areas of operation.
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12.2 A person to be issued a licence under IX/12.1 must hold the additional qualifications identified in Annex 11 paragraph 1.2 and have appropriate knowledge of the Code, to the satisfaction of the Administration.
13 Period of Validity and Renewal of Licence
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13.1 Licences shall be subject to re-validation every three years for persons up to 63 years of age and annually for persons 63 years of age and over. Re-validation will be subject to the holder having proof that he or she has had, in the case of persons up to 63 years of age, at least 45 days service and in the case of persons 63 years of age and over, at least 15 days service, in vessels for which the licence is valid during that time. Revalidation is also subject to the submission of a medical certificate in accordance with regulation IX/14.
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13.2 Applicants unable to provide proof of service required by IX/13.1 shall satisfy the Administration of continued professional competence through test or re-examination.
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13.3 A licence shall only remain valid so long as the person to whom it is issued holds a valid medical fitness certificate.
14 Medical Fitness Certificate
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A medical fitness certificate in accordance with the Shipping Medical Examination Regulations shall be submitted with the initial application for a Boatmaster or Boat Engineer licence and for the revalidation of a licence. To obtain this an applicant is required to undergo a medical examination and have an eye sight test for colour and vision in accordance with the provisions of the Medical Examination Regulations.
15 Record and surrender of licences
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15.1 The Administration shall make and, during the period of the licence, retain a copy of every licence issued under this Chapter.
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15.2 A record of—
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.1 every licence issued under this Part;
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.2 every suspension, cancellation or alteration of and any other matter affecting such a licence,
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shall be kept, in such manner as the Administration may require, by the Registrar of Shipping or by such other person as the Administration may direct.