Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 1 & 2

CHAPTER X

LICENCING OF BOATMASTERS AND ENGINEERS

PART A - LICENCES

1

Master

A commercial vessel shall carry in command a person who is qualified as follows:

1.1

.1

.2

he or she is the holder of a licence issued by the Administration under regulation X/4

stating that he or she is qualified to have command of such a vessel;

the licence is in force and is of a grade appropriate in respect to the waters in which the

vessel is being navigated, the size of the vessel and the number of passengers carried;

and

.3

the vessel is in an area specified in the licence as one in which a vessel may be navigated

under the command of the holder; or

1.2

The holder of a certificate of competency as a Master issued in accordance with the provisions

of the STCW Convention may command any vessel under the Code, subject to any limitations of that

certificate of competency. Near Coastal voyage limitations may be considered acceptable for vessels

covered by this Code.

2

Engineers

2.1

A commercial vessel fitted with main propulsion machinery of up to 750 kW, shall where an

engineer is required by the Administration, carry as engineer a person who is qualified as follows:

.1

he or she is the holder of a licence issued by the Administration under regulation X/4

stating that he or she is qualified to be in charge of the main and auxiliary machinery of

such a vessel;

.2

.3

the licence is in force and is of a grade appropriate in respect both of the waters in which

the vessel is being navigated and the size of the vessel; and

the vessel is in an area specified in the licence as one in which a vessel may be operated

under the charge of the holder; or

2.2

The holder of a certificate of competency as an engineer officer issued in accordance with the

provisions of the STCW Convention may be carried as engineer in any vessel under the Code, subject

to any limitations of that certificate of competency.

2.3

Except as authorized by the Administration, vessels having main propulsion machinery of a

power of 750 kW and over shall carry engineers qualified in accordance with the STCW Convention.

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 3, 4 & 5

3

Other seafarers

A commercial vessel required by the Administration to carry seafarers, in addition to a Master

3.1

and Boat Engineer, shall carry as such seafarers, persons who hold the additional qualifications

identified in section 1.2 of Annex 11 of this Code.

3.2

A passenger vessel shall carry Masters, Boat Engineers and Seafarers who have completed the

training specified in section A-V/2, paragraphs, 1 (Crowd Management Training) and 4 (Safety Training

for Personnel providing Direct Service to Passengers in Passenger Spaces) of the Seafarers, Training,

Certification and Watchkeeping Code, (STCW Code) as required by the Administration.

4

Licence issue, standards and conditions

4.1

The Administration may issue licences as Boatmaster or Boat Engineer, as appropriate to

persons who meet the requirements of this Regulation. The form of the Boatmaster and Boat Engineer

licences are given in Annex 10 and the syllabus requirements in Annex 11.

4.2

An application for a licence under this regulation shall be made in such form as the

Administration may from time to time specify.

4.3

Subject to X/4.4:

.1

the standards of competence to be attained and the conditions, including conditions as

to medical fitness, to be satisfied by a person in order for a licence to be issued under

this Code;

.2

.3

any exceptions applicable with respect to any such standards or conditions;

the manner in which the attainment of any such standards or the satisfaction of any such

conditions is to be evidenced; and

.4

the conduct of any examinations and the conditions of admission to them;

shall be those specified in regulations X/6 to X/8 and X/10 to X/12 or those which may from time to

time be specified by the Administration in a Shipping Notice.

4.4

Notwithstanding that an applicant for a licence under this regulation complies with the standards

and satisfies the conditions specified by the Administration, the Administration shall not issue such a

licence to the applicant unless it is satisfied, having regard to all the relevant circumstances, that the

applicant is a fit person to be the holder of such a licence.

5

Grades and area restrictions of boatmaster licences

5.1

A licence as a Master issued under regulation X/4.1 shall bear the title “Boatmaster Licence”

and shall be of one of the following grades, which shall be stated in the licence:

Boatmaster Licence, Grade 1

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 5 & 6

Boatmaster Licence, Grade 2

Boatmaster Licence, Grade 3

5.2

The grade of licence appropriate in respect of a vessel when being navigated in waters specified

in column (1) of Table X/5.2, being of the size or type specified in relation to those waters in column

(2) of the Table shall be either that specified in relation to those waters and that size or type of vessel in

column (3) of the Table or, where the grade so specified is 2 or 3, a higher grade than that so specified:

TABLE X/5.2

(1)

(2)

(3)

Waters

Size and type of vessel

Open Boat (daylight only)

Minimum Grade of Licence

Protected

3

< 24 m

2

3

2

1

Coastal

Open Boat (daylight only)

< 12 m passenger

< 24 m other than passenger

12 – 24 m passenger

All vessels

Exposed

5.3

Where a vessel, the master of which is required to hold a licence, has sails as its principal means

of propulsion a sail endorsement is required. The requirement for a sail endorsement is a practical test

on boat handling as detailed in Annex 11-1.3.

5.4

A Boatmaster licence of any grade shall be subject to such restriction as the Administration may

determine as to the area or areas in which a vessel may be navigated under the command of the holder;

and every such restriction shall be stated in the licence.

6

Requirements for obtaining a boatmaster licence

6.1

In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 3 an applicant shall:

.1

.2

.3

be eighteen years of age or over;

have submitted a valid medical certificate in accordance with X/14;

have completed a course of practical instruction under a licenced Boatmaster in sail or

power vessels of appropriate size as approved by the Administration;

.4

produce a VHF Certificate as evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications

stated in Annex 11-1.2.2; and

.5

have passed an examination for Boatmaster Grade 3.

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 6, 7 & 8

6.2

6.3

7

In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 2 an applicant shall:

.1

.2

.3

be twenty years of age or over;

have submitted a valid medical certificate in accordance with X/14;

have completed a course of practical instruction under a licenced Boatmaster in sail or

power vessels of appropriate size as approved by the Administration;

.4

.5

.6

have completed approved seagoing service of not less than 2 months in accordance with

the requirements of the Administration;

produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated

in Annex 11-1.2; and

have passed the examination for Boatmaster Grade 2.

In order to obtain a Boatmaster Licence Grade 1 an applicant shall:

.1

.2

.3

be twenty one years of age;

have submitted a valid medical certificate in accordance with X/14;

have completed a course of practical instruction under a licenced Boatmaster in sail or

power vessels of appropriate size as approved by the Administration;

.4

.5

.6

have completed approved seagoing service of not less than 4 months in accordance with

the requirements of the Administration;

produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated

in Annex 11-1.2; and

have passed the examination for Boatmaster Grade 1.

Practical instruction

Where an applicant is required to have had practical instruction this will be construed as his or her

having enough experience to demonstrate proper boat handling skills in whatever craft or vessel the

experience may have been given. However, it should be borne in mind that the prospective licence

holder needs to demonstrate adequate knowledge of the methods of controlling, handling and directing

vessels in emergencies, on the vessels, which he will be entitled to command.

8

Examination for boatmaster licences

8.1

A Boatmaster examination for Grades 2 and 3 consists of two parts. The first of which is an oral

examination in which applicants will be tested on their knowledge of safety, navigation, rule of the road

and seamanship subjects and also how they respond to certain emergency situations. The second part

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 8 & 9

consists of a practical test carried out on the size of vessel for which the applicant needs a licence. This

test requires applicants to demonstrate their ability to handle the vessel in various circumstances.

8.2

The Boatmaster examination for Grade 1 consists of three parts. The first part of which is an

oral examination in which applicants will be tested on their knowledge of safety, rule of the road and

seamanship subjects and also how they respond to certain emergency situations. The second part consists

of a practical test in chartwork and the use of electronic aids to navigation. The third part is a practical

test carried out on a vessel of 12 m to 24 m in length. This test requires applicants to demonstrate their

ability to handle the vessel in various circumstances.

8.3

An applicant passing only one part of the examination will be allowed to retain the pass in that

part for a period of one year subject to the applicant being the holder of a valid medical fitness certificate

when re-sitting the other part.

8.4

8.5

Details of the syllabus for each grade are contained in Annex 11-1.1.

Administrations may utilize written examination or computer based assessment to assist with

assessment in oral examinations.

9

Grade and area restrictions of boat engineer licences

9.1

A licence as engineer issued under regulation X/4 shall bear the title “Boat Engineer Licence”

and shall be of one of the following grades, which shall be stated in the licence.

Boat Engineer Licence, Grade 1

Boat Engineer Licence, Grade 2

9.2

The grade of licence appropriate in respect of a vessel when being operated in waters specified

in column (1) of Table X/9.2, being of the size specified in relation to those waters in column (2) of the

Table shall be either that specified in relation to those waters and that size of vessel in column (3) of the

Table or, where the grade so specified is 2, a higher grade than that so specified:

TABLE X/9.2

(1)

(2)

(3)

Waters

Size of vessel

< 24 m

Minimum Grade of Licence

No licence required

Protected

Coastal

15 – 24 m

< 24 m

2

1

Exposed

9.3

A Boat Engineer licence of any grade shall be subject to such restriction as the Administration

may determine as to the area or areas in which a vessel may be operated under the charge of the holder;

and every such restriction shall be stated in the licence.

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13

9.4

A person required to hold a Boat Engineer Licence on a passenger vessel must also have

completed six months service whilst holding the appropriate certificate.

10

Requirements for obtaining a boat engineer licence

In order to obtain a Boat Engineer Licence of Grade 1 or Grade 2 an applicant shall:

.1

.2

be eighteen years of age or over;

have completed an approved course on the repair and maintenance of engines and

associated systems on seagoing vessels as required for the Grade of Licence sought;

.3

.4

have submitted a valid medical certificate;

produce documentary evidence of having obtained the additional qualifications stated

in Annex 11-1.2.1; and

.5

have passed the examination for Boat Engineer Grade 1 or Grade 2 as appropriate.

11

Approved course

11.1

An approved course is a course approved by the Administration, which covers the syllabus given

in Annex 11-2. A Certificate of Attendance will be given by the course organizers to persons

satisfactorily completing the course.

11.2

Persons who are able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the Administration that they have

appropriate engineering experience may be granted an exemption from the requirement to attend an

approved course.

12

Examination for boat engineer licences

12.1

A Boat Engineer examination for Grades 1 and 2 consists of an oral examination in which

applicants shall be tested on their knowledge of marine engines, propulsion systems, auxiliary

machinery systems outboard engines, safe working practices and how the candidate responds to certain

emergency situations.

12.2

The examination for a Boat Engineer Licence shall be based on the syllabus given in Annex 11-

2 at a level appropriate to the Grade of Licence applied for and its range of application.

12.3

12.4

A candidate who is unsuccessful in the examination shall resit the entire examination.

Administrations may utilize written examination or computer based assessment to assist with

assessment in oral examinations.

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Chapter X

Part A – Licences

Regulations 13, 14 & 15

13

Period of validity and renewal of licence

Licences shall be subject to re-validation every three years for persons up to 63 years of age and

13.1

annually for persons 63 years of age and over. Re-validation will be subject to the holder having proof

that he or she has had, in the case of persons up to 63 years of age, at least 45 days service and in the

case of persons 63 years of age and over, at least 15 days service, in vessels for which the licence is

valid during that time. Revalidation is also subject to the submission of a medical certificate in

accordance with regulation X/14.

13.2

Applicants unable to provide proof of service required by X/13.1 shall satisfy the

Administration of continued professional competence through test or re-examination.

13.3

A licence shall only remain valid so long as the person to whom it is issued holds a valid medical

fitness certificate.

14

Medical fitness certificate

A medical fitness certificate in accordance with the requirements of the Administration shall be

14.1

submitted with the initial application for a Boatmaster or Boat Engineer licence and for the re-validation

of a licence. To obtain this an applicant is required to undergo a medical examination and have an

eyesight test for colour and vision in accordance with the requirements of the Administration.

14.2

The medical certificate shall be issued by a duly qualified medical practitioner or, in the case of

a certificate solely concerning eyesight, by a person recognized by the competent authority as qualified

to issue such a certificate.

15

Record and surrender of licences.

15.1

The Administration shall make and, during the period of the licence, retain a copy of every

licence issued under this Chapter.

15.2 A record of:

.1

.2

every licence issued under this Part; and

every suspension, cancellation or alteration of and any other matter affecting such a

licence;

shall be kept, in such manner as the Administration may require, by the Registrar of Shipping or by such

other person as the Administration may direct.

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