Section A-II/4 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings forming part of a navigational watch
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40

Section A-II/4 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings forming part of a navigational watch

Standard of competence

1 Every rating forming part of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more shall be required to demonstrate the competence to perform the navigation function at the support level, as specified in column 1 of table A-II/4.

  2 The minimum knowledge, understanding and proficiency required of ratings forming part of a navigational watch on a seagoing ship of 500 gross tonnage or more is listed in column 2 of table A-II/4.

  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/4. The reference to “practical test” in column 3 may include approved shore-based training in which the trainees undergo practical testing.

  4 Where there are no tables of competence for the support level in respect to certain functions, it remains the responsibility of the Administration to determine the appropriate training, assessment and certification requirements to be applied to personnel designated to perform those functions at the support level.

Table A-II/4 Specification of minimum standard of competence for ratings forming part of a navigational watch

Function: Navigation 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
Steer the ship and also comply with helm orders in the English language Use of magnetic and gyro-compasses

Helm orders

Change-over from automatic pilot to hand steering and vice versa 		Assessment of evidence obtained from:

  • .1 practical test, or
  • .2 approved in-service experience, or
  • .3 approved training ship experience
 A steady course is steered within acceptable limits, having regard to the area of navigation and prevailing sea state. Alterations of course are smooth and controlled

Communications are clear and concise at all times and orders are acknowledged in a seaman-like manner
Keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing Responsibilities of a look-out, including reporting the approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in degrees or points Assessment of evidence obtained from:

  • .1 practical test, or
  • .2 approved in-service experience, or
  • .3 approved training ship experience
 Sound signals, lights and other objects are promptly detected and their approximate bearing, in degrees or points, is reported to the officer of the watch
Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe watch Shipboard terms and definitions

Use of appropriate internal communication and alarm systems

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

Basic environmental protection procedures

 Assessment of evidence obtained from approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience Communications are clear and concise and advice/clarification is sought from the officer on watch where watch information or instructions are not clearly understood

Maintenance, handover and relief of the watch is in conformity with accepted practices and procedures
Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures Knowledge of emergency duties and alarm signals

Knowledge of pyrotechnic distress signals; satellite EPIRBs and SARTs

Avoidance of false distress alerts and action to be taken in event of accidental activation 		Assessment of evidence obtained from demonstration and approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience Initial action on becoming aware of an emergency or abnormal situation is in conformity with established practices and procedures

Communications are clear and concise at all times and orders are acknowledged in a seaman-like manner

The integrity of emergency and distress alerting systems is maintained at all times
Parent topic: Chapter II - Standards regarding the master and deck department
Copyright 2022 Clasifications Register Group Limited, International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization or Maritime and Coastguard Agency. All rights reserved. Clasifications Register Group Limited, its affiliates and subsidiaries and their respective officers, employees or agents are, individually and collectively, referred to in this clause as 'Clasifications Register'. Clasifications Register assumes no responsibility and shall not be liable to any person for any loss, damage or expense caused by reliance on the information or advice in this document or howsoever provided, unless that person has signed a contract with the relevant Clasifications Register entity for the provision of this information or advice and in that case any responsibility or liability is exclusively on the terms and conditions set out in that contract.