OOW Revision: The Deck Officer Certificate Ladder (MSN 1856, Sections 1-2)

Revision card 1 of 7 — Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited, STCW Convention Regulation II/1, MSN 1856 (M+F) Amendment 1. Note: this MSN sets out certification and qualifying requirements, not a subject-by-subject knowledge syllabus — the underpinning academic content (Navigation, Stability and so on) is delivered and examined by your approved training provider under STCW Code Section A-II/1.

What Every UK CoC Requires

• Meet the minimum age requirement
• Complete the minimum period of seagoing service
• Undertake ancillary technical and safety training
• Complete an approved programme of education and training to the required vocational and academic standard
• Meet medical fitness and eyesight standards
• Where applicable, pass an MCA oral examination

Before Your First Voyage

• A valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent
• Personal Survival Techniques, Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
• Security Awareness — only if you'll serve on an ISPS Code vessel

Where OOW Sits on the Ladder

• OOW is the entry-level Certificate of Competency: STCW II/1 (unlimited) or II/3 (near-coastal, under 500 GT)
• Above it sit Chief Mate (II/2) and Master (II/2 or II/3, depending on tonnage and trading area)
• Every deck CoC covers four STCW functions: Navigation, Cargo handling and stowage, Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons onboard, and Radiocommunications
• At OOW level you hold all four functions at Operational (“O”) capacity — Management (“M”) capacity comes with Chief Mate and Master

Quick Self-Check

• What are the four STCW functions listed on a deck CoC?
• What capacity level does an OOW hold across all four functions?
• Which safety certificates do you need before your very first voyage, and when does a sixth one apply?

Related Reading

• Cadet to Captain: A Realistic Career Timeline — how the OOW rung fits into the full progression