Dated: 22^nd June 1998

1.      In supercession of all previous communications on the above subject, the following are the guidelines for all candidates aspiring to obtain a Certificate of Competency as Second Mate of a Foreign Going Ship (Officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of over 500 GT) under Regulation II/1 of STCW ’95. STCW ’95 and the MS (STCW) Rules 1998 prescribe that candidates commencing approved pre-sea training on or after 1^st August 1998 (hereinafter referred to as ‘new entrants’) will be certified in a function-wise manner in compliance with STCW ’95. A large number of seafarers who commenced their sea service before 1^st August 1998 (hereinafter referred to as ‘existing seafarers’) are now due to become eligible to be candidates for this examination.

2.      In this connection attention is invited to the Part-A examination under the MS (Examination of Masters and Mates) Rules 1985 which contains examination only in two subjects viz., Nautical Mathematics and Nautical Physics. This Part-A has now been re-designated as Second Mate Foundation Course and contains four subjects viz., (i) Nautical Mathematics (ii) Nautical Physics (iii) Nautical Chemistry and (iv) Nautical Electricity & Electronics.

3.      As regards the rest of the written examination, titles of question papers have been modified and they have been re-grouped merely with a view to adopt the function-wise approach recommended by STCW ’95. However, the level of knowledge and the standard of question papers are the same as those presently in force. A comparison of details, prescribed under Parts B and C of MS (Examination of Masters and Mates) Rules 1985, with the enclosed Annexes is self-evident.

4.      The details of the Foundation Examination are in Annex I. The details of the examination under each function, prescribed in STCW ’95, are in Annex II. Annex III illustrates the transition from existing certificates to new Second Mate certificates and Annex IV is the examination schedule for the Nautical Department for the next 12 months. The Training & Assessment Programmes prescribed in the MS (STCW) Rules 1998 are elaborated in the Maritime Education, Training and Assessment (META) Manual.            

5.      ELIGIBILITY FOR WRITTEN EXAMINATION

5.1.      For all candidates

5.1.1.    MMD eyesight certificate issued not more than 12 months before date of application.

5.1.2.    Medical Fitness certificate issued not more 12 months before date of application.

5.1.3.      Pass in (10+2) with Physics, Chemistry & Mathematics as separate subjects. A candidate who is already in possession of the existing NWKO certificate is exempt from this requirement.

5.2.   For Foundation Examinations

Satisfactory completion of an approved three-month pre-sea course for officers OR six months approved sea service in the deck department of a merchant ship. A candidate who is already in possession of the existing NWKO certificate is exempt from this requirement.  

5.3.      For Competency Examinations – NEW ENTRANTS

5.3.1.   Satisfactory completion of an approved three-month pre-sea course for officers followed by approved seagoing service of not less than twenty four months, in the deck department of a merchant ship, which includes satisfactory completion of an approved Structured Shipboard Training Programme (SSTP) supported by an approved Cadets Training Record Book

                  OR

approved seagoing experience of not less than thirty six months, in the deck department of a merchant ship, followed by satisfactory attendance in an approved NWKO (NCV) course and a pass in that written examination. 

5.3.2.   Proof of passing the Second Mate Foundation Course examination

5.3.3.   Satisfactory completion of a Second Mate FG Competency Course in an approved institution.

5.4.    For Competency Examinations - EXISTING SEAFARERS

5.4.1.   No fresh candidate will be permitted to appear for the examination under the existing scheme from 1st August 1998.

5.4.2.   A candidate who has passed any one or more Parts of B, C, D & E in June 1998 or earlier will be permitted to continue to appear until June 1999 to clear B & C Parts of the examination. Individual candidates who complete one Part – B or C – but are unable to complete the other written Part by June 1999 will be considered for exemption in corresponding written papers in the new scheme. Examinations for Parts D & E for such candidates will continue till 1^st February 2002.

5.4.3.   A candidate who has completed 18 months of qualifying sea service will be allowed to appear for the written examinations for Second Mate of a Foreign Going ship but will be permitted to appear for the ORAL exam only after completing the required qualifying sea service of 36 months.

5.4.4.   Candidates (but not new entrants) will continue to be granted the following remission as per existing rules:

5.4.4.1.    For attending college (Foundation Course + Competency Course): 3 months

5.4.4.2.    For undergoing prescribed Modular Courses: 2 weeks.

5.4.4.3.    For record book: maximum of 6 months.

5.4.5.   The courses - Proficiency In Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) and Medical First Aid (MFA) - are superior to Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF) and Elementary First Aid (EFA) courses respectively. Hence an existing seafarer who has undergone a superior course is not required to undergo the inferior one.

5.4.6.   All candidates have to undergo the Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR) course prior to obtaining Second Mate (FG) certificate.

5.5.       HOLDERS OF EXISTING NWKO CERTIFICATES

5.5.1.   A NWKO certificate holder must qualify for the Second Mate FG certificate by 1st February 2002 failing which his existing certificate would be restricted to the Near Coastal Voyages (NCV) trade. In order to upgrade his certificate to Second Mate FG he must:

5.5.1.1.    Attend and pass the two-month Foundation Course prescribed for Second Mate FG. For this purpose, a pass in the existing Part - A of the Second Mate FG examination is acceptable

5.5.1.2.    Pass a two-hour paper on Principles of Navigation with 60% as pass mark

5.5.1.3.    Undergo Modular Courses as prescribed for Second Mate FG.

6.     FOR ORAL EXAMINATION UNDER THE NEW SCHEME

 6.1.   Eligibility for the oral examinations:

6.1.1.Proof of passing the written examination in that function.

6.1.2.Completion of appropriate modular courses indicated in that function.

6.1.3.Proof of at least six months bridge watchkeeping under the supervision of a certificated officer. Such watchkeeping may be performed either during the stipulated sea time or after the Second Mate (FG) WRITTEN examination, at the candidate’s option.

6.2.   Candidates may appear in the ORAL examination in any one, two or three functions at the same time, at their option.

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