Deck department In force

Indian Navy executive officer to near-coastal deck officer: watchkeeping officer, Mate and Master (Home Trade)

Executive branch officers qualify for the near-coastal watchkeeping officer certificate on longer naval sea service with bridge and cargo duties, a course and modular courses, and written and oral examinations; further service leads to the Mate and Master certificates for Home Trade ships.

Official reference: DGS Order 17/2022 Part B, section B

Where this route can take you

NWKO (NCV) — Navigational Watch-keeping Officer, ships of 500–6000 GT, near-coastal voyagesChief Mate (NCV) — ships of 500–6000 GT, near-coastal voyagesMaster (NCV) — ships of 500–6000 GT, near-coastal voyages

Who can apply

Each requirement is summarised from the official publication linked beside it.

Sea service for the near-coastal watchkeeping certificate

DGS Order 17 of 2022 ↗

At least 33 months at sea on Navy ships of 500 GT or more, including 6 months of bridge watchkeeping with a Navy watchkeeping certificate.

Medical, INDoS, basic training and CDC first

DGS Order 17 of 2022 ↗

Step by step

1

Mate of a Home Trade Ship

Mate of a Home Trade ship (500 to 3000 GT, near-coastal): 12 more months with a watchkeeping certificate, the Chief Mate courses and examinations.
DGS Order 17 of 2022 ↗
2

Master of a Home Trade Ship

Master of a Home Trade ship (500 to 3000 GT, near-coastal): more sea service, the advanced shipboard management course and the Master examination.
DGS Order 17 of 2022 ↗

The rules behind this route

Where this comes from

This page summarises the published rules of DGMA (the Directorate General of Maritime Administration, formerly DG Shipping) in plain language. Each requirement links to the official publication for the exact wording. Rules made under the old Merchant Shipping Act 1958 still apply under the Merchant Shipping Act 2025.

All entry routes Check which routes fit you