Deck rating (R-NW) by sea service without pre-sea training
Official reference: TEAP Part A II/14 paras 2, 6, 7.3
A matriculate can also qualify as a deck watch rating through a longer period of sea service with on-board training; ratings without approved pre-sea training or a completed Rating Training Record Book sit an examination for watch-keeping ratings conducted by BEST.
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.
Certification: age and education
TEAP manual, Part A ↗At least 18 years old, with Class 10 as the minimum education.
No CDC category without pre-sea training (from 01.08.2026)
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗The five basic STCW courses alone no longer qualify a candidate for an Indian CDC.
DGS Order 12/2026 para 14.1: new entrants without approved pre-sea training (or another para 14.2 category) cannot obtain a CDC; CDCs issued before 01.08.2026 remain valid
Step by step
- 1
Sea service with on-board training
At least 15 months of sea service with on-board training.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 2
Examination for Watch-keeping Ratings by BEST, where applicable
The BEST watchkeeping-ratings examination.
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Rules made under the repealed Merchant Shipping Act 1958 continue in force under section 324(2)(a) of the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.
MS Act 2025 s.324(2)(a): rules made under the repealed MS Act 1958 continue in force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 46 requires at least fifteen months of approved sea service.
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.