Officer of the Watch (HNC/SQA/Exam Route)

This course leads to the Certificate of Competency for Officer of the Watch (Unlimited), which is a statutory requirement for a Junior Bridge Watchkeeping Officer.

The Officer of the Watch course will involve approximately twenty weeks at college studying an HNC in Nautical Science, plus six weeks for Navigation Aids and Equipment Simulator Training (NAEST), two weeks on a GMDSS GOC radio course and one week on an Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) course. Included in the period of study for an Officer of the Watch certificate are First Aid Onboard Ship and Fire-fighting courses, if required, at additional cost. It is not necessary to study both the main block and short courses consecutively - they may be taken at intervals.

Course Structure

You will be studying:

•SQA HNC in Nautical Science, including Ship Stability, Ship Construction, Cargo Work, Navigation, Meteorology

•MCA Orals/Signals

•GMDSS GOC

•HELM Operational

•NAEST Operational

•Efficient Deck Hand

Useful Information

Pre-requisites

You must be at least eighteen years old and must have served at sea in ordinary trading vessels, for either three years\' sea service in any acceptable deck capacity OR for two and a half years as a cadet or trainee deck officer undergoing a training programme recognised by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, in UK ships or in ships manned by UK senior officers, such programme being controlled from a UK based office. During your final year\'s sea service, six months of this period must be spent on duties associated with bridge watchkeeping under the guidance of a certified officer. These periods should be at least eight hours a day and not haphazard periods now and again.

You will also have to hold/obtain:

•Letter of testimonial covering the last year\'s sea service stating ability, conduct and sobriety and certifying the requirement of bridge watchkeeping as stated above

•Valid Medical Certificate

•CPSC certificate

•Steering certificate if no EDH certificate held