The provisions of STCW 95 set down the basis for the qualification of mariners for a whole range of ships. However, there is a simplified qualification path for deck officers who wish to serve on vessels of under 500 gt and which operate within 150 nautical miles of a safe haven.

Most tugs fall within this bracket.

In order for a person to serve as a deck officer on board such a vessel, they must have logged 36 months sea time, 6 of the last 12 months of which must have been on watchkeeping duties (overseen by a qualified officer).

This sea time is reduced to 12 months if the person is following an approved Vocational Qualification Course. The deck officer candidate must also complete several training modules such as Sea Survival, First Aid and Fire Fighting and pass an MCA oral exam.

Once qualified as a deck officer, that person may apply to the MCA for his master's ticket for these vessels after a further 12 months service as a deck officer.

For engineers, the qualifications required depend on the registered power of the vessel's engines. For vessels with engines of more than 750kw, the length of sea service required for each level of qualification depends on whether the officer is undertaking Vocational Qualifications or MCA approved examinations.

However, in order to qualify as a chief engineer on vessels with engines between 750 kW and 3,000kW, a person would need to have completed at least 30 months sea service.

Vessels with engines of less than 750kW fall outside the scope of STCW 95. However, the UK government requires all vessels with engines of between 350kW and 750kW to carry persons holding Marine Engine Operator Licences and Senior Marine Engine Operator Licences. There are no requirements for engineering qualifications for vessels of under 350kW.

Unlike the UK's implementation of the old regime, the new rules do not specify actual numbers of officers to be carried on various vessels. It is up to each individual vessel to agree its manning requirements with the MCA and obtain a safe manning certificate.

However, the MCA has produced a rough guide to manning levels in its Merchant Shipping Notice 1682 (M).

MJ Information No: 16733