Section A-II/5 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as able seafarer deck
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40

Section A-II/5 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as able seafarer deck

Standard of competence

1 Every able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall be required to demonstrate the competence to perform the functions at the support level, as specified in column 1 of table A-II/5.

  2 The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required of an able seafarer deck serving on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more is listed in column 2 of table A-II/5.

  3 Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence specified in columns 3 and 4 of table A-II/5.

Table A-II/5 Specification of minimum standards of competence of ratings as able seafarer deck

Function: Navigation at the support level
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Competence Knowledge, understanding and proficiency Methods for demonstrating compliance Criteria for evaluating competence
Contribute to a safe navigational watch Ability to understand orders and to communicate with the officer of the watch on matters relevant to watchkeeping duties

Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch

Information required to maintain a safe watch 		Assessment of evidence obtained from in-service experience or practical test Communications are clear and concise

Maintenance, handover and relief of the watch is in conformity with acceptable practices and procedures
Contribute to berthing, anchoring and other mooring operations Working knowledge of the mooring system and related procedures, including:
  • .1 the function of mooring and tug lines and how each line functions as part of an overall system
  • .2 the capacities, safe working loads, and breaking strengths of mooring equipment, including mooring wires, synthetic and fibre lines, winches, anchor windlasses, capstans, bitts, chocks and bollards
  • .3 the procedures and order of events for making fast and letting go mooring and tug lines and wires, including towing lines
  • .4 the procedures and order of events for the use of anchors in various operations
Working knowledge of the procedures and order of events associated with mooring to a buoy or buoys 		Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1 approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
  • .5 approved simulator training, where appropriate
Operations are carried out in accordance with established safety practices and equipment operating instructions
Function: Cargo handling and stowage at the support level
Contribute to the handling of cargo and stores Knowledge of procedures for safe handling, stowage and securing of cargoes and stores, including dangerous, hazardous and harmful substances and liquids

Basic knowledge of and precautions to observe in connection with particular types of cargo and identification of IMDG labelling 		Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1 approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
  • .5 approved simulator training, where appropriate
Cargo and stores operations are carried out in accordance with established safety procedures and equipment operating instructions

The handling of dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes or stores complies with established safety practices
Function: Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the support level
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Competence Knowledge, understanding and proficiency Methods for demonstrating compliance Criteria for evaluating competence
Contribute to the safe operation of deck equipment and machinery Knowledge of deck equipment, including:
  • .1 function and uses of valves and pumps, hoists, cranes, booms, and related equipment
  • .2 function and uses of winches, windlasses, capstans and related equipment
  • .3 hatches, watertight doors, ports, and related equipment
  • .4 fibre and wire ropes, cables and chains, including their construction, use, markings, maintenance and proper stowage
Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
 Operations are carried out in accordance with established safety practices and equipment operating instructions
  • .5 ability to use and understand basic signals for the operation of equipment, including winches, windlasses, cranes, and hoists
Assessment of evidence obtained from practical demonstration Communications within the operator’s area of responsibility are consistently successful
  • .6 ability to operate anchoring equipment under various conditions, such as anchoring, weighing anchor, securing for sea, and in emergencies


Knowledge of the following procedures and ability to: 		Assessment of evidence obtained from practical demonstration Equipment operation is safely carried out in accordance with established procedures
  • .1 rig and unrig bosun’s chairs and staging
  • .2 rig and unrig pilot ladders, hoists, rat-guards and gangways
Assessment of evidence obtained from practical demonstration Demonstrate the proper methods for rigging and unrigging in accordance with safe industry practice
  • .3 use marlin spike seamanship skills, including the proper use of knots, splices and stoppers


Use and handling of deck and cargo-handling gear and equipment:
  • .1 access arrangements, hatches and hatch covers, ramps, side/bow/stern doors or elevators
  • .2 pipeline systems – bilge and ballast suctions and wells
  Demonstrate the proper creation and use of knots, splices, stoppers, whippings, servings as well as proper canvas handling
  • .3 cranes, derricks, winches
   Demonstrate the proper use of blocks and tackle
Knowledge of hoisting and dipping flags and the main single-flag signals. (A, B, G, H, O, P, Q)   Demonstrate the proper methods for handling lines, wires, cables and chains
Apply occupational health and safety precautions Working knowledge of safe working practices and personal shipboard safety including:
  • .1 working aloft
  • .2 working over the side
  • .3 working in enclosed spaces
  • .4 permit to work systems
  • .5 line handling
  • .6 lifting techniques and methods of preventing back injury
  • .7 electrical safety
  • .8 mechanical safety
  • .9 chemical and biohazard safety
  • personal safety equipment
 Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1 approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
 Procedures designed to safeguard personnel and the ship are observed at all times

Safe working practices are observed and appropriate safety and protective equipment is correctly used at all times
Apply precautions and contribute to the prevention of pollution of the marine environment Knowledge of the precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment

Knowledge of the use and operation of anti-pollution equipment

Knowledge of the approved methods for disposal of marine pollutants 		Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1 approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
 Procedures designed to safeguard the marine environment are observed at all times
Operate survival craft and rescue boats Knowledge of the operation of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances and arrangements, and their equipment

Knowledge of survival at sea techniques 		Assessment of evidence obtained from approved training and experience as set out in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4 Actions in responding to abandon ship and survival situations are appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and comply with accepted safety practices and standards
Function: Maintenance and repair at the support level
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
COMPETENCE KNOWLEDGE, UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY METHODS FOR DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE CRITERIA FOR EVALUATING COMPETENCE
Contribute to shipboard maintenance and repair Ability to use painting, lubrication and cleaning materials and equipment

Ability to understand and execute routine maintenance and repair procedures

Knowledge of surface preparation techniques 		Assessment of evidence obtained from practical demonstration Maintenance and repair activities are carried out in accordance with technical, safety and procedural specifications
Understanding manufacturer’s safety guidelines and shipboard instructions

Knowledge of safe disposal of waste materials

Knowledge of the application, maintenance and use of hand and power tools 		Assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:
  • .1 approved in-service experience
  • .2 practical training
  • .3 examination
  • .4 approved training ship experience
  
Parent topic: Chapter II - Standards regarding the master and deck department
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