Engineer officer via the one-year Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) course
Official reference: TEAP Part A III/1 para 4.2(a) · Table III/1-3 · Appendix III/1A.4
A mechanical engineering or naval architecture graduate takes the twelve-month Graduate Marine Engineering (GME) modular course, then the basic safety courses, documented sea service and the MEO Class IV examinations. Mechanical-and-automation graduates qualify for the course but must still sit some written papers.
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: B.E. Mechanical / Naval Architecture
TEAP manual, Part A ↗A B.E. in Mechanical Engineering or Naval Architecture with at least 50% in the final year.
…or B.E. Mechanical & Automation (not fully exempt)
TEAP manual, Part A ↗These graduates do not receive full exemption from the MEO Class IV and Class II examinations.
Maximum age
TEAP manual, Part A ↗The upper age limit is 28 years.
Table III/1-3 'Maximum Age limit' column for the GME course; cell text interleaved in the source's text layer
Full-time qualification only
TEAP manual, Part A ↗Only full-time qualifications count — part-time, distance-learning and correspondence courses are not accepted.
Age at issue of certificate
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 35 ↗At least 18 years old when the certificate is issued.
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: twelve-month GME modular course
The twelve-month GME course, with at least 834 hours of classroom lectures.
a margin label (III/1) interrupts this sentence in the source's text layer
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 2
Four basic safety training courses before first going to sea
The four basic safety training courses before the first trip to sea.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 3
MEO Class IV Part A examination (Heat Engines, Applied Mechanics, Mathematics, Engineering Drawing)
The MEO Class IV Part A examination in the functions and subjects of the TEAP table.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 4
Exemptions from Part A, where the stream earns them
Part A exemptions follow the sub-clauses of clause 13, Section III/9 of the TEAP manual.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 5
Approved sea service documented in the Training and Assessment Record (TAR) book
Six months of approved sea service documented in the Training and Assessment Record Book.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 6
MEO Class IV Part B written and oral examination (four functions)
The Part B written and oral examination across the four engineering functions.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 7
Certificate of Competency: MEO Class IV (OIC EW, Form 14)
The Certificate of Competency is issued in Form 14 (MEO Class IV).
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 35 ↗
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 35 requires combined workshop-skills training plus at least twelve months of approved sea service.
The TEAP manual defines ten entry streams to MEO Class IV in the engine department.
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.