Engine rating (REW) via the pre-sea rating course
Official reference: TEAP Part A III/12 · Part B III/8A (Training Circular 8 of 2016)
A matriculate selected by a company completes an approved pre-sea rating course (including the basic safety courses), obtains a CDC, serves at sea with on-board training recorded in the rating record book, and is assessed orally for the certificate as rating forming part of an engine-room watch.
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.
Course entry: academic
TEAP manual, Part B ↗Class 10 pass from a recognised board, having studied English, Mathematics and Science, with at least 40% overall.
Course entry: minimum age
TEAP manual, Part B ↗Between 17½ and 25 years old on the day the course begins.
the maximum age in this TC 8/2016 text is superseded by DGS Order 12/2026 para 16.2
Course entry: age (upper limit raised by DGS Order 12/2026)
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗The upper age limit for approved GP Rating courses is now 28 years.
Seats reserved for technical-trade holders (welding, fitter, mechanic, electrical, plumbing, computer)
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗A quarter of the approved seats in every GP Rating course are reserved for candidates with additional technical-trade qualifications.
Certification: age
M.S. (STCW) Rules 2014, Rule 46 ↗At least 18 years old on the date of application.
CDC via approved pre-sea training (DGS Order 12/2026 para 14.2.1)
DGS Order 12 of 2026 ↗DG-approved pre-sea training plus the five basic STCW courses.
since 01.08.2026 a CDC needs the MS (CDC) Rules 2017 r.4 conditions AND one Order 12 category
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 rating course with basic safety courses
Approved pre-sea or special training plus at least six months of approved sea service.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 2
On-board training in the Training and Assessment Record book
The assessment centre scrutinises the on-board training.
TEAP manual, Part A ↗ - 3
Oral assessment: Marine Engineering at the support level
An oral examination and assessment at the support level.
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 approved pre-sea or special training plus at least six months of approved sea service.
The TEAP manual Part B defines the GP ratings pre-sea training course under the STCW Convention as amended in 2010.
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.