GOMO 2026 Updates: New Offshore Marine Certification and Manning Standards Explained

What Is GOMO and Why Does It Matter for Offshore Crew?

The Guidelines for Offshore Marine Operations — known as GOMO — is the primary industry reference for safe offshore vessel operations. Backed by major industry bodies including IMCA, OCIMF, the Marine Safety Forum, and the UK Chamber of Shipping, GOMO sets the standard that most major oil and gas operators worldwide use when assessing whether a vessel and its crew meet their requirements for offshore work.

For seafarers working on offshore support vessels (OSVs), platform supply vessels (PSVs), anchor handlers (AHTS), construction support vessels, and pipe lay barges, GOMO compliance is not optional — it is what operators check before they approve you for a role. In May 2026, GOMO published significant revisions to several chapters and appendices. Here is what changed and what it means for your certification and career.

What Was Revised in May 2026

Chapter 5 — Certification, Training, Competency & Manning (Revision 2)

This is the most operationally significant update for crew. Chapter 5 governs the minimum certification, training, and manning requirements for offshore support vessel operations. Revision 2 brings the framework in line with the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments and incorporates lessons from recent MCA audits and offshore incident investigations. Key areas updated include:

• Minimum Certificate of Competency requirements for deck and engineering officers on each OSV category
• OPITO training requirements alongside STCW — the revised chapter makes explicit that STCW alone is insufficient for offshore work and that both frameworks must be satisfied
• Competency assessment frameworks — what operators are entitled to require beyond the basic certificate, including vessel-type-specific assessments for AHTS Masters
• Manning levels for different OSV types, with anchor handling operations specifically addressed
• Documentation and record-keeping obligations for operators to maintain auditable crew certification files

Chapter 1 — Introduction & Front Matter (Revision 1.1)

The introduction has been updated to clarify scope and the hierarchy of authority across the sponsoring organisations. The updated Appendix 1-B (Document Stewardship, Management & Hierarchy of Authority) has practical implications for how operators apply GOMO requirements when their own internal procedures and GOMO guidance appear to conflict.

Appendix 10-F — Back-Loading of Wet Bulk Cargoes on OSVs (Revision 2.1)

This appendix governs specific procedures for back-loading wet bulk cargoes — cement, baryte, brine, and drilling mud — from offshore installations onto OSVs. Revision 2.1 introduces updated cargo segregation requirements and new guidance on compatibility checks before loading. For able seamen, bosuns, and deck officers on PSVs and general cargo OSVs, these changes are directly operational and apply immediately.

What GOMO Chapter 5 Means for Your Certification

If you are working offshore or planning to transition into OSV work, the following checklist reflects the Chapter 5 Revision 2 requirements:

STCW Plus OPITO: You Need Both

GOMO is explicit: STCW certification establishes the legal baseline, but offshore operators require OPITO-accredited training on top. The minimum OPITO package for most OSV operations is:

• BOSIET (Basic Offshore Safety Induction and Emergency Training) — valid 4 years
• HUET (Helicopter Underwater Escape Training) — valid 4 years
• MIST (Minimum Industry Safety Training) or equivalent industry induction
• Current ENG1 medical certificate

GOMO Revision 2 specifically flags that operators who previously accepted legacy training equivalents should now ensure full OPITO compliance before the next vessel assignment. If your BOSIET or HUET was completed before the last renewal cycle, verify the expiry date and book a refresher before it becomes a barrier to mobilisation.

Competency Beyond Certificates

Chapter 5 introduces clearer language around operator competency assessment frameworks. Operators are entitled to set vessel-specific competency requirements that go beyond the CoC — for example, requiring a simulated anchor handling assessment before appointment as Master of an AHTS, or a cargo pump familiarisation before a Chief Officer joins a chemical supply vessel. Expect competency-based interviews and practical assessments to become more common in OSV recruitment.

Manning Documentation Requirements

Chapter 5 strengthens obligations on operators to maintain current, auditable crew certification records. This reinforces the practical value of a complete, verifiable digital profile. Offshore operators increasingly screen crew through platforms before committing to interview — a profile with gaps in certification records or outdated OPITO training dates will not pass the first filter.

Where to Access the Revised Documents

The updated chapters and appendices are freely available for download at www.g-omo.info. Chapter 5 Revision 2 is the priority read for any seafarer targeting or currently working in offshore support operations. The complete revised GOMO document reflecting all recent changes is also available on the same site.

Building a Competitive Offshore Profile

Certification is the baseline — operators hire on demonstrable experience and verified competencies, not certificates alone. A strong offshore profile shows vessel types and gross tonnage worked, any anchor handling, pipe lay, or ROV support experience, OPITO training history with expiry dates, and any operator competency assessments passed. Use the certification section of your Crew Connect profile to keep OPITO training current and visible — offshore operators search by certification type when screening crew, and a complete profile gets found.