STCW Table A-II/1

A1.01

Celestial Navigation

Ability to use celestial bodies to determine the ship’s position

A1.02

Terrestrial and coastal navigation

Ability to determine the ship’s position by use of:

1. landmarks
2. aids to navigation, including lighthouses, beacons and buoys
3. dead reckoning, taking into account winds, tides, currents and estimated speed

A1.03

Thorough knowledge of and ability to use nautical charts, and publications, such as sailing directions, tide tables, notices to mariners, radio navigational warnings and ships’ routeing information

A1.04

Electronic system of position fixing and navigation

Ability to determine the ship’s position by use of electronic navigational aids

A1.05

Echo Sounders

Ability to operate the equipment and apply the information correctly

A1.06

Compass - magnetic and gyro

Knowledge of the principles of magnetic and gyro-compasses

A1.07

Ability to determine errors of the magnetic and gyro-compasses, using celestial and terrestrial means, and to allow for such errors

A1.08

Steering control systems

Knowledge of steering control systems, operational procedures and change-over from manual to automatic control and vice versa. Adjustment of controls for optimum performance

A1.09

Meteorology

Ability to use and interpret information obtained from shipborne meteorological instruments

A1.10

Knowledge of the characteristics of the various weather systems, reporting procedures and recording systems

A1.11

Ability to apply the meteorological information available

A2.1

Watchkeeping

Thorough knowledge of the content, application and intent of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended

A2.2

Thorough knowledge of the Principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch

A2.3

The use of routeing in accordance with the General Provisions on Ships’ Routeing

A2.4

The use of information from navigational equipment for maintaining a safe navigational watch

A2.5

Knowledge of blind pilotage techniques

A2.6

The use of reporting in accordance with the General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and with VTS procedures

A2.7

Bridge resource management

Knowledge of bridge resource management principles, including:

1. allocation, assignment, and prioritization of resources
2. effective communication
3. assertiveness and leadership
4. obtaining and maintaining situational awareness
5. consideration of team experience

A3.1

Radar navigation

Knowledge of the fundamentals of radar and automatic radar plotting aids (ARPA)

A3.2

Ability to operate and to interpret and analyse information obtained from radar, including the following:

Performance, including:

1. factors affecting performance and accuracy
2. setting up and maintaining displays
3. detection of misrepresentation of information, false echoes, sea return, etc., racons and SARTs

Use, including:

1. range and bearing; course and speed of other ships; time and distance of closest approach of crossing, meeting overtaking ships
2. identification of critical echoes; detecting course and speed changes of other ships; effect of changes in own ship’s course or speed or both
3. application of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended
4. plotting techniques and relative- and true- motion concepts
5. parallel indexing

A3.3

Principal types of ARPA, their display characteristics, performance standards and the dangers of over-reliance on ARPA

A3.4

Ability to operate and to interpret and analyze information obtained from ARPA, including:

1. system performance and accuracy, tracking capabilities and limitations, and processing delays
2. use of operational warnings and system tests
3. methods of target acquisition and their limitations
4. true and relative vectors, graphic representation of target information and danger areas
5. deriving and analysing information, critical echoes, exclusion areas and trial manoeuvres

A4.1

Navigation using ECDIS

Knowledge of the capability and limitations of ECDIS operations, including:

1. a thorough understanding of Electronic Navigational Chart (ENC) data, data accuracy, presentation rules, display options and other chart data formats
2. the dangers of over-reliance
3. familiarity with the functions of ECDIS required by performance standards in force

A4.2

Proficiency in operation, interpretation, and analysis of information obtained from ECDIS, including:

1. use of functions that are integrated with other navigation systems in various installations, including proper functioning and adjustment to desired settings
2. safe monitoring and adjustment of information, including own position, sea area display, mode and orientation, chart data displayed, route monitoring, user-created information layers, contacts (when interfaced with AIS and/or radar tracking) and radar overlay functions (when interfaced)
3. confirmation of vessel position by alternative means
4. efficient use of settings to ensure conformance to operational procedures, including alarm parameters for anti-grounding, proximity to contacts and special areas, completeness of chart data and chart update status, and backup arrangements
5. adjustment of settings and values to suit the present conditions
6. situational awareness while using ECDIS including safe water and proximity of hazards, set and drift, chart data and scale selection, suitability of route, contact detection and management, and integrity of sensors

A5.1

Emergency procedures

Precautions for the protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations

A5.2

Initial action to be taken following a collision or a grounding; initial damage assessment and control

A5.3

Appreciation of the procedures to be followed for rescuing persons from the sea, assisting a ship in distress, responding to emergencies which arise in port

A6.1

Search and rescue

Knowledge of the contents of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual

A7.1

English language

Adequate knowledge of the English language to enable the officer to use charts and other nautical publications, to understand meteorological information and messages concerning ship’s safety and operation, to communicate with other ships, coast stations and VTS centres and to perform the officer’s duties also with a multilingual crew, including the ability to use and understand the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (IMO SMCP)

A8.1

Visual signaling

Ability to use the International Code of Signals

A8.2

Ability to transmit and receive, by Morse light, distress signal SOS as specified in Annex IV of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, as amended, and appendix 1 of the International Code of Signals, and visual signalling of single-letter signals as also specified in the International Code of Signals

A9.1

Ship maneuvering and handling

Knowledge of:

1. the effects of deadweight, draught, trim, speed and under-keel clearance on turning circles and stopping distances
2. the effects of wind and current on ship handling
3. manoeuvres and procedures for the rescue of person overboard
4. squat, shallow-water and similar effects
5. proper procedures for anchoring and mooring

B1.1

Cargo handling, stoage and securing

Knowledge of the effect of cargo, including heavy lifts, on the seaworthiness and stability of the ship

B1.2

Knowledge of safe handling, stowage and securing of cargoes, including dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes, and their effect on the safety of life and of the ship

B1.3

Ability to establish and maintain effective communications during loading and unloading

B2.1

Knowledge and ability to explain where to look for damage and defects most commonly encountered due to:

1. loading and unloading operations
2. corrosion
3. severe weather conditions

B2.2

Ability to state which parts of the ship shall be inspected each time in order to cover all parts within a given period of time

B2.3

Identify those elements of the ship structure which are critical to the safety of the ship

B2.4

State the causes of corrosion in cargo spaces and ballast tanks and how corrosion can be identified and prevented

B2.5

Knowledge of procedures on how the inspections shall be carried out

B2.6

Ability to explain how to ensure reliable detection of defects and damages

B2.7

Understanding of the purpose of the “enhanced survey programme”

C1.1

Prevention of pollution of the marine environment and anti-pollution procedures

Knowledge of the precautions to be taken to prevent pollution of the marine environment

C1.2

Anti-pollution procedures and all associated equipment

C1.3

Importance of proactive measures to protect the marine environment

C2.1

Ship stability

Working knowledge and application of stability, trim and stress tables, diagrams and stress-calculating equipment

C2.2

Understanding of fundamental actions to be taken in the event of partial loss of intact buoyancy

C2.3

Understanding of the fundamentals of watertight integrity

C2.4

Ship construction

General knowledge of the principal structural members of a ship and the proper names for the various parts

C3.1

Fire prevention and fire-fighting appliances

Ability to organize fire drills

C3.2

Knowledge of classes and chemistry of fire

C3.3

Knowledge of fire-fighting systems

C3.4

Knowledge of action to be taken in the event of fire, including fires involving oil systems

C4.1

Life saving

Ability to organize abandon ship drills and knowledge of the operation of survival craft and rescue boats, their launching appliances and arrangements, and their equipment, including radio life-saving appliances, satellite EPIRBs, SARTs, immersion suits and thermal protective aids

C5.1

Medical aid

Practical application of medical guides and advice by radio, including the ability to take effective action based on such knowledge in the case of accidents or illnesses that are likely to occur on board ship

C6.1

Basic working knowledge of the relevant IMO conventions concerning safety of life at sea, security and protection of the marine environment

C7.1

Working knowledge of shipboard personnel management and training

C7.2

A knowledge of related international maritime conventions and recommendations, and national legislation

C7.3

Ability to apply task and workload management, including:

1. planning and co-ordination
2. personnel assignment
3. time and resource constraints
4. prioritization

C7.4

Knowledge and ability to apply effective resource management:

1. allocation, assignment, and prioritization of resources
2. effective communication onboard and ashore
3. decisions reflect consideration of team experiences
4. assertiveness and leadership, including motivation
5. obtaining and maintaining situational awareness

C7.5

Knowledge and ability to apply decision-making techniques:

1. situation and risk assessment
2. identify and consider generated options
3. selecting course of action
4. evaluation of outcome effectiveness

C8.1

Knowledge of personal survival techniques

C8.2

Knowledge of fire prevention and ability to fight and extinguish fires

C8.3

Knowledge of elementary first aid

C8.4

Knowledge of personal safety and social responsibilities