PRIMER FOR RATINGS APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE STCW CONVENTION Foreword The Standard of Training,

Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention, as amended in 1995, prescribes minimum competency requirements for ratings performing watchkeeping duties under Regulation II/4 for navigational watch and Regulation III/4 for engine watch. All categories of support level personnel (ratings) who are expected to perform watchkeeping duties are therefore required to secure a Certificate of Competency (COC) to qualify them to become part of a navigational or engine watch. The watchkeeping certificate is issued by the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority to any support level personnel who is able to demonstrate all the minimum competencies required for watchkeepers,as provided for in Section A-II/4 and Section A-III/4 of the STCW Code. The Certificate of Competency shall be issued to ratings forming part of a navigational or engine watch in the deck department or in the engine department. Other support level personnel (including those in the stewarding services like messmen and cooks) who are not expected to perform watchkeeping functions are not required under the STCW Convention to be certificated. However, those who fall under these categories have the option to apply for an appropriate TESDA Competency Certificate based on TESDA-promulgated standards that can enhance their employment qualifications, particularly on board ships of Flag States requiring such certificates of competency.

Minimum Standard of Competence Deck Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch Minimum Standard of Competence Engine Ratings Forming Part of an Engineering Watch Frequently Asked Questions Downloads: o Checklist of Requirements for Experienced Seafarer Ratings (.pdf file) o Checklist of Requirements for New Seafarer Ratings (.pdf file)

PRIMER FOR RATINGS APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE STCW CONVENTION Minimum Standard of Competence Deck Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY Use of magnetic and gyro compasses Helm orders Change over from automatic pilot to hand steering and vice-versa Responsibilities of a look-out, including reporting the approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in degrees or points METHODS OF DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE Practical test, or Approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience

COMPETENCE

Steer the ship and comply with helm orders also in the English language

Keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing

Practical test, or Approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience

Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe watch

Shipboard terms and definitions Use of internal communication and alarm systems Ability to understand orders and to communicate Approved in-service with the officer of the watch in matters relevant experience or approved to watchkeeping duties training ship experience Procedures for the relief, maintenance and handover of a watch Information required to maintain a safe watch Basic environmental protection procedures Knowledge of emergency duties and alarm signals Knowledge of pyrotechnic distress Approved in-service signals; satellite EPIRBs experience or approved and SARTs training ship experience Avoidance of false distress alerts and action to be taken in event of accidental activation

Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures

PRIMER FOR RATINGS APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE STCW CONVENTION Minimum Standard of Competence Deck Ratings Forming Part of Navigational Watch KNOWLEDGE UNDERSTANDING AND PROFICIENCY Terms used in machinery spaces and names of machinery and equipment Engine room watchkeeping procedures Safe working practices as related to engine room operations Basic environmental procedures Use of appropriate internal communication system Engine room alarm systems and ability to distinguish between the various alarms, with special reference to fire extinguishing gas alarms METHODS OF DEMONSTRATING COMPETENCE

COMPETENCE

Carry out a watch routine appropriate to the duties of a rating forming part of an engine watch Understand orders and be understood in matters relevant to watchkeeping duties

Approved in-service experience Approved training ship experience, or Practical test

For keeping a boiler watch: Maintain the correct water levels and steam pressures Safe operation of boilers

Approved in-service experience Approved training ship experience, or Practical test

Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures

Knowledge of emergency duties Escape routes from machinery spaces Familiarity with the location and use of firefighting equipment in the machinery spaces

Demonstration and approved in-service experience or approved training ship experience

PRIMER FOR RATINGS APPLYING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY UNDER THE STCW CONVENTION Frequently Asked Questions Q1: What is the legal mandate of TESDA in the assessment and certification of ratings? A: Section 22 of Republic Act 7796 otherwise known as the TESDA Act of 1994 empowers TESDA to establish a national occupational skills standards and implement a certification and accreditation program in which private industry groups and trade associations are accredited to conduct competency assessment. Executive Order No.242 provides that TESDA, by virtue of its mandate under RA 7796, shall issue the Certificates of Competency to ratings forming part of navigational and engineering watches. Moreover, MTC Resolution No. 5, series of 2000 provides that TESDA shall take over the responsibility of issuing ratings certificates under Regulation II/4 and III/4 of the STCW convention, as amended, starting January 2001. Q2: Who may apply for a Ratings Certificate? A: Experienced ratings, new graduates of the TESDA-prescribed Ratings Course and other less-experienced ratings may apply for assessment and certification. Q3: Who are experienced ratings? A: Experienced ratings are those who have had at least one year of sea experience associated with watchkeeping functions under the direction of the master, the officer in charge of a watch or a qualified rating within the period August 1993 to August 1998 when the new Ratings Course based on STCW 95 was promulgated. On the other hand, ratings with approved seagoing service including not less than six (6) months training and experience may apply for assessment and certification. They shall be required to demonstrate the competencies specified in section A-II/4 or A-II/4, as the case may be. Q4: Who are the new entrants? A: New entrants are graduates of the TESDA-prescribed Ratings Course offered by Maritime Schools duly authorized by TESDA. The Ratings Course is a two (2) semesters program with two (2) months on board practicum documented in a Training Record Book. Q5: Are dropouts from the bachelors programs qualified to apply for a Ratings Certificate? A: Yes, they may apply for a Ratings Certificate provided they have completed all the subjects prescribed in the Ratings Course, including the two (2) months on board practicum. If they have had at least six (6) months of sea experience, at least two (2) months should be associated with wathchkeeping duties.

Q6: If a licensed officer is assigned to a ratings post, is he required to have a Ratings Certificate? A: No, the licensed officer need not secure a Ratings Certificate if his license is related to the ratings position. Q7: What categories of deck ratings are required to be certificated under the STCW Convention? A: Deck ratings forming part of a navigational watch, particularly able-bodied seamen. Q8: What categories of engine ratings are required to be certificated under the STCW Convention? A: Engine ratings forming part of a watch in a manned engine room, or in a periodically unmanned engine room, particularly oilers. Q9: Are personnel in the stewarding services like a messman, steward, and cook required to be certificated under the STCW Convention? A: No, but they may want to apply for a National Certificate of Competency that will indicate their occupational qualifications to improve their chances of employment onboard ships as well as in land based jobs. Such certificates, especially for cooks, are sometimes required by specific Flag States. Q10: Are manning agencies allowed to file applications for Ratings Certificates in behalf of their crew? A: Yes, manning agencies as well as seafarers unions and other seafarers organizations may file applications for Ratings Certificates, especially in behalf of ratings who are still on board. Q11: Are applications filed by individual seafarers allowed? A: Yes, experienced seafarers and new entrants are encouraged to file their applications personally. Q12: What are the requirements to be submitted by an experienced rating upon application for assessment? A: An experienced rating has to comply with the following requirements: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Accomplished Application Form (available without cost) Two (2) passport-size photo (with name in print at the back) Medical Certificate (in PEME form from a DOH-accredited medical clinic) Certified true copy of the Seafarers Identification and Record Book (SIRB) Proof of sea service

Q13: Aside from the SIRB, what other documents shall be submitted as proof of sea experience? A: Any of the following may be submitted as proof of sea service: 1. 2. 3. Employment certificate or service record issued by the shipping company or manning agency; Certification from the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) attesting to the seafarers employment records Embarkation/disembarkation certificate issued by the Flag State

Q14: What is the procedure for the assessment of experienced ratings? A: An experienced rating shall undergo a process referred to as Portfolio Assessment where his qualifications are determined primarily through documentary assessment. Q15: As soon as an experienced rating has completed the documents required for assessment, what shall he do? A: The application documents may be filed in the appropriate venue accredited by TESDA: 1. 2. 3. Applicants for Deck Rating COC shall file their application documents with the identified assessment venue for deck ratings. Applicants for Engine Rating COC shall file their application documents with the identified assessment venue for engine ratings. Catering personnel (messman, steward, cook) who wish to secure a certificate of competency for their trade may file their application documents with the identified assessment venue for catering personnel. Application forms may be secured and inquiries may also be made with the NCR Regional Office and any of the six (6) TESDA District Offices in Metro Manila or the Skills Standards and Certification Office, TESDA Central Office, Taguig, Metro Manila. Only complete applications shall be received in these venues. Incomplete application documents shall be promptly returned. Once the application documents are officially received, the assessment fee shall be paid and an official receipt shall be issued.

Q16: What is the cost of the assessment process? A: Experienced ratings who are accepted for portfolio assessment shall pay the amount of P200 as assessment and certification fee. The fee shall be paid to the appropriate officer who shall issue the corresponding receipt with the due date indicated at the back of the receipt. Q17: How long shall a rating wait for the issuance of his Ratings Certificate? A: One week from the time the application is received and the assessment fee is paid, the Certificate of Competency shall be ready for release (if the applicant is assessed as qualified and a valid Medical Certificate from a DOH-accredited medical clinic is presented). Note: The Certificate of Proficiency for Basic Safety from the NAC shall not be a requisite for the issuance of the Certificate of Competency. Q18: What happens if the assessor entertains some doubts on the qualifications of the applicant? A: The applicant shall be formally notified to report to the assessment venue for a thorough interview to properly establish his qualifications. After a satisfactory interview the applicant shall be immediately advised of the final results. Q19: What are the requirements to be submitted by new entrants and less-experienced ratings? A: The following documents should be submitted: 1. 2. Accomplished application form (available without cost) Two passport-size photos (with name printed at the back)

3. 4.

Certificate of completion of the Ratings Course (with two (2) months practicum or 6 months sea service) Medical certificate (in PEME form from a DOH-accredited medical clinic)

Q20: What are the procedures in the assessment of ratings who are new entrants?

When the application documents submitted are complete, the applicant is required to pay the assessment and certification fee of P800 (P200 for the written test and P600 for the practical test) which shall be duly receipted. The written test shall be given three (3) days from the date of payment. Such date shall be duly indicated at the back of the official receipt. The applicant shall not need to wait for the results of the written examination before proceeding to the practical test. The schedule of the practical test shall be indicated at the back of the official receipt. In the practical test, the applicant shall be required to demonstrate his knowledge and skills before the assessor. The issuance of the certificate (if the applicant qualifies in both written and practical test) shall be one (1) week after the date of the last examination. Q21: What are the cut-off passing scores in the written and practical examinations? A: An applicant should register not less than 70% correct answers in the written test. On the other hand, in the practical test, an applicant should be able to demonstrate all the minimum standard competencies in accordance with Table A-II/4 or A-III/4, as the case maybe, to obtain a passing mark. Q22: When will the results of the practical test be officially made known? A: The assessor shall be required to immediately evaluate the results of the practical test and inform the concerned applicants within the same day of the final results, through the Manager of the assessment venue. Successful applicants shall be required to claim their Certificates of Competency one week after the date of the practical test. The due date shall be indicated at the back of the receipt. Q23: If an applicant fails the written test, can he retake the examination? A: Yes, provided that he pays the examination fee again. After a possible failed second retake (three failures), the applicant shall be advised to go through a refresher course before attempting another third retake. Q24: If an applicant fails the practical test, can he retake the examination? A: Yes, provided that he pays the examination fee again. After a possible second retake (three failures), the applicant shall be advised to go through a refresher course before attempting another retake. Q25: What is the validity period of the Certificate of Competency? A: Five (5) years unless sooner revoked. Q26: What are possible reasons for the revocation of the Certificate of Competency? A: The Certificate of Competency may be revoked if it is tampered or the holder is found to have made misrepresentations in securing such certificate. Q27: How does a certificated rating verify that he has been included in the official records of ratings with valid certificates of competency? A: TESDA shall maintain an Official Registry of Certified Ratings which can be accessed in the TESDA website www/tesda.org. Digital copies of all certificates issued may be accessed through the website to verify the authenticity of any Certificate of Competency issued under Regulation II/4 and III/4. The site shall be linked to and accessed through the MARINA website since MARINA has been mandated through Executive Order 242 as the official repository of all records of certified seafarers at all levels. Q28: In summary, what are the requirements of the STCW Convention for the issue of certificates? A: Item 3 of Regulation I/9 of the Convention states: "Candidates for certification shall provide satisfactory proof: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. of their identity; that their age is not less than that prescribed in the regulation relevant to the certificate applied for; that they meet the standards of medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and hearing, established by the Party, and hold a valid document attesting to their medical fitness, issued by a duly qualified medical practitioner recognized by the Party; of having completed the seagoing service and any related compulsory training required by these regulations for the certificate applied for; and that they meet the standards of competence prescribed by these regulations for the capacities, functions and levels that are to be identified in the endorsement to the certificate."

Q29: Where and to whom shall any complaint be filed in connection with any problem in the assessment and certification procedures undertaken by TESDA, by its accredited assessors in any of its accredited assessment venues? A: Issues and problems may be raised with: The Director General Technical Education and Skills Development Authority TESDA Complex, East Service Road Taguig, Metro Manila