Near-coastal deck officer (NWKO NCV) from a pre-sea trained deck/GP rating
Official reference: TEAP Part A II/7 paras 2.2, 4.2, 4.3
A matriculate who completed the approved six-month pre-sea course for deck/GP ratings can qualify as a near-coastal watch-keeping officer: either by serving as an NCV deck cadet under a structured shipboard training programme, or by serving a longer period as deck/GP rating, then completing the NWKO NCV competency course and examination.
Where this route can take you
Who can apply
Each requirement is summarised from the official publication linked beside it — follow the link for the exact wording.
Academic: Matriculation with English
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Class 10 pass, with at least 50% in English.
Age at start of course
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Over 18 when the course begins.
Medical fitness (pre-sea standard)
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Medically fit to the pre-sea standard.
Pre-sea medical examination by a DGS-approved medical examiner
Medical Examination Rules 2000, Rule 6 ↗A medical examination by a DGS-approved medical examiner, done after selection for pre-sea training.
MS (Medical Examination) Rules 2000 are the operative rules. TEAP I/9 names 'Medical Examination Rules 2013', which DGMA does not publish; the MS (Medical) Rules 2026 (r.22 same arrangement) are PROPOSED — gazette number G.S.R. XX — and replace the 2000 Rules only on publication
Step by step
- 1
Pre-sea: approved six-month course for Deck/GP Ratings
The TEAP manual sets out the approved six-month pre-sea course for Deck/GP ratings.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 2
Sea service as NCV deck cadet with SSTP
18 months of sea service as an NCV Deck Cadet.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 3
…or sea service as Deck/GP rating
36 months of sea service as a Deck/GP rating after the three- or six-month pre-sea course.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 4
Post-sea NWKO NCV competency course
The four-month NWKO NCV competency course.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 5
Examination: NWKO (NCV) functions
The examination for the NWKO (NCV) certificate — watchkeeping officer on near-coastal ships of 500–6000 GT.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗
The rules behind this route
Rules made under the repealed Merchant Shipping Act 1958 continue in force under section 324(2)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.
MS Act 2025 s.324(2)(a): rules made under the repealed MS Act 1958 continue in force
Rule 26 issues this certificate of competency in Form 7.
The TEAP manual sets out the approved six-month pre-sea course for Deck/GP ratings.
This page is built from the official DGS Training and Examination Advisory Programme (the TEAP manual) and the current orders of DGMA (the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, called DG Shipping until June 2026). Requirements are summarised in plain language — every section links to the official publication for the exact wording. Requirements made under the old Merchant Shipping Act 1958 still apply under the new Merchant Shipping Act 2025.