Competency exams · Deck · Near-coastal
NWKO (NCV) exam course
Navigational Watch-keeping Officer (coastal). Officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 to 6000 GT on near-coastal voyages.
NWKO (NCV) is the Certificate of Competency you need to sail as Navigational Watch-keeping Officer (coastal). It covers: Officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 to 6000 GT on near-coastal voyages. Before you start: An approved pre-sea deck course (one-year or degree course for cadets, or a three- or six-month course for cadets or GP ratings), or deck rating service.
Sea service
- 12 months as deck cadet after the one-year or degree pre-sea course, with the Structured Shipboard Training Programme.
- 18 months as NCV deck cadet after a three- or six-month pre-sea course, with the NCV training programme.
- 36 months as deck or GP rating; or, without pre-sea training, 36 months as deck rating after the rating watch-keeping certificate. Without the structured training programme, 36 months in every case.
- Bridge watch-keeping at least eight hours in every 24 at sea under a qualified officer, recorded in the Training Record Book.
Courses before the exam
- The approved four-month NWKO (NCV) competency course.
- Proficiency courses, each when you become eligible: Radar Observer Simulator, ARPA, GMDSS Operator, ECDIS, survival craft and rescue boats, advanced fire fighting, medical first aid, and security training for designated security duties (or the Ship Security Officer course).
The exam
- Navigation at the operational level: written, oral and visual signalling exams.
- Cargo handling and stowage at the operational level: written and oral exams.
- Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level: written and oral exams.
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 NWKO (NCV) you can go on to Chief Mate (NCV), or move to the foreign-going Second Mate certificate through further sea service, post-sea courses and the Second Mate (FG) exam.
Prepare with Marine One
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Source: MS (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 26 · TEAP Part A, Section II/7 (DGMA). Course lengths and papers are as set out there; DGMA circulars can change them, so check the DGMA website before you book.