OOW Revision: Qualifying for OOW Unlimited, STCW II/1 (MSN 1856, Section 3)

Revision card 2 of 7 — Officer of the Watch (OOW) Unlimited, STCW Convention Regulation II/1, MSN 1856 (M+F) Amendment 1.

Three Routes Onto the Ladder

• MCA-approved UK cadetship — 12 months' seagoing service as part of the programme
• MCA-approved overseas “one plus one” collaborative programme overseen by a UK college — seagoing service as set out in your college letter
• Experienced seafarer route — 36 months' seagoing service (48 months if you've been working as a General Purpose rating and aren't on an approved route)

What You Must Actually Meet

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Complete the seagoing service for your route, including 6 months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties, documented in an approved Training Record Book
• Hold the required ancillary and safety course certificates
• Complete an approved education and training programme meeting STCW Code Section A-II/1
• Hold a Signals certificate issued within the previous 3 years
• Pass the MCA OOW Safety Examinations in Navigation, and Stability and operations
• Hold a valid ENG1
• Pass the MCA oral examination

Exemptions & Timing

• Honours Degree, Foundation Degree or Scottish Professional Diploma candidates who meet the required pass marks may be exempt from the MCA OOW Safety Examinations
• Both the Safety Examinations and the oral examination must be passed within 3 years of your CoC being issued

Quick Self-Check

• Which three routes lead to an OOW II/1 CoC, and what's the seagoing service requirement for each?
• What must your 6 months of bridge watchkeeping duty be documented in?
• What two subjects make up the MCA OOW Safety Examinations?

Related Reading

• Cadet Sponsorship Guide UK — how the cadetship route is actually funded
• Day in the Life: OOW on a Container Ship — what the job looks like once you qualify