Competency exams · Deck · Near-coastal
Chief Mate (NCV) exam course
Chief Officer (coastal). Chief Mate on ships of 500 to 6000 GT on near-coastal voyages.
Chief Mate (NCV) is the Certificate of Competency you need to sail as Chief Officer (coastal). It covers: Chief Mate on ships of 500 to 6000 GT on near-coastal voyages. Before you start: NWKO (NCV).
Sea service
- At least 12 months as officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more on near-coastal voyages.
- Assistant or doubled watches, or watches on ships under 500 GT, count at two-thirds, for up to six months of the total.
Courses before the exam
- Chief Mate (NCV) Phase I and Phase II competency courses (3 months each).
- Radar, ARPA and Navigation Simulator course (RANSCO, 6 days), Medical Care (MEDICARE, 10 days) and ECDIS (5 days) if not done earlier.
The exam
- Written and oral exams in three functions at the management level: navigation; cargo handling and stowage; and controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board.
DGMA (formerly DG Shipping) checks your sea service and course certificates before you sit. Exam dates and booking are on the DGMA website; written exams and orals are held at the Mercantile Marine Departments (MMDs).
After this certificate
From Chief Mate (NCV) you can go on to Master (NCV), or move to the foreign-going Chief Mate certificate for ships of 500 to 3000 GT.
Prepare with Marine One
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Source: MS (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 27 · TEAP Part A, Section II/8 (DGMA). Course lengths and papers are as set out there; DGMA circulars can change them, so check the DGMA website before you book.