Qualification details

Release 2.  This is the second release of this qualification in the MAR Maritime Training Package with minor change to licensing and regulatory information.

Release 1.  This is the first release of this qualification in the MAR Maritime Training Package.

This qualification is suitable for people working in the maritime industry seeking an Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) certification in the capacity of:

• Master less than 24 metres (foreign going)
• Chief Mate less than 3000 gross tonnage (GT)
• Master of commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)
• Mate less than 500 gross tonnage (GT)
• Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal
• Waterkeeper Deck
• Watchkeeper Deck less than 3000 gross tonnage (GT)

Please note: RTO to insert on the testamur the job role and specialisation, if applicable, selected from the group choice below 

Licensing/Regulatory Information 

Legislative and regulatory requirements are applicable to this qualification:

• This qualification is currently cited as meeting some of the requirements for certification by AMSA as a Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal as defined in Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency – National law) 2022.
• This qualification is currently cited as meeting some of the requirements for certification by AMSA as a Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) or Watchkeeper Deck as defined in Marine Orders and the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).

This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal as defined in Marine Order 505 (Certificates of competency – National law) 2022.

AMSA certification of competency will require:

• completing an approved program of study that meets Master less than 100 metres course at Diploma level (MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations - Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal)
• holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 505.
• holding a Marine Radio Operators certificate of proficiency as defined in Marine Order 505
• qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 505.
• meeting the medical and eyesight requirements specified in Marine Order 505
• having passed a final AMSA assessment
• meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 505.

This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Master of a commercial vessel less than 500 GT as defined in Marine Orders and STCW.

AMSA certification of competency will require:

• completing an approved program of study that meets regulations STCW A-II/1 and A-II/2 (MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations - Masters less than 500 GT)
• holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 71
• qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 71
• completing STCW short courses as defined in Marine Order 71
• holding a valid AMSA certificate of medical fitness
• having passed a final AMSA assessment
• meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 71.

This qualification is required to obtain an AMSA certificate of competency as a Watchkeeper Deck as defined in Marine Orders and STCW.

AMSA certification of competency will require:

• completing an approved program of study that meets regulation STCW A-II/I (MAR50320 Diploma of Maritime Operations - Watchkeeper Deck)
• holding or have held certificates of competency as defined in Marine Order 71
• qualifying sea service as defined in Marine Order 71
• completing STCW short courses as defined in Marine Order 71
• holding a valid AMSA certificate of medical fitness
• having passed a final AMSA assessment
• meeting any other regulatory requirements as defined in Marine Order 71.

Seafarers seeking certification should check requirements with AMSA.

There are no entry requirements for this qualification.

Total number of units 

• Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal  = 22 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group C
• Master less than 500 GT  = 26 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group B
• Watchkeeper Deck  = 22 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group A

AMSA specialisation 

• Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal Specialist  = 24 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group C, plus 2 units from Group D
• Master less than 500 gross tonnage (GT) Specialist  = 28 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group B, plus 2 units from Group D
• Watchkeeper Deck Specialist  = 24 units: 19 core units, plus all units from Group A, plus 2 units from Group D

Core units 

Navigation at the operational level

MARH022

Plan and conduct a passage and determine position

MARH023

Use of electronic chart display and information system (ECDIS) to maintain the safety of navigation

MARH024

Use of radar and other bridge equipment to maintain safety of navigation

MARK011

Manoeuvre the ship

MARO009

Maintain a safe navigational watch

MARO012

Transmit and receive information by visual signalling

Cargo handling and stowage at the operational level

MARA025

Monitor, loading, unloading, securing and stowage of cargo

MARN011

Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship construction)

Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level

HLTAID011

Provide First Aid

MARA017

Maintain seaworthiness of the ship (ship stability)

MARF031

Apply leadership and team working capability

MARF035

Contribute to fire prevention and firefighting (basic firefighting)

MARF037

Follow vessel security procedures (security awareness training)

MARF041

Observe personal safety and social responsibility (PSSR)

MARF044

Prevent, control and fight fires on board a vessel (advanced firefighting)

MARF046

Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment and personal survival techniques (PST)

MARF047

Monitor compliance with legislative requirements

MARJ008

Ensure compliance with pollution prevention requirements

RIIWHS202E

Enter and work in confined spaces

Group A: Watchkeeper Deck 

Controlling the operations of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level

MARF032

Apply medical first aid on board ship

MARF043

Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)

MARO011

Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Group B: Master less than 500 GT 

Controlling of the operations of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level

MARD006

Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements

MARF032

Apply medical first aid on board ship

MARF038

Manage provision of medical care on board a vessel

MARF043

Operate survival craft, rescue boats and lifesaving appliances (proficiency in survival craft)

MARG008

Manage a vessel and its crew

MARK010

Manoeuvre and handle a ship in all conditions

MARO011

Transmit and receive information by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)

Group C:  Master less than 100 metres Near Coastal 

Controlling the operation of the ship

MARD004

Manage business and administration on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

MARD005

Manage operations and maintenance on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

MARH018

Apply command navigation procedures on vessels limited by tonnage or near coastal operations

Group D: Specialist  electives  

MARA011

Contribute to basic operations of ships in polar waters

MARA014

Contribute to basic operations of a ship subject to IGF Code

MARA018

Manage advanced chemical tanker cargo operations

MARA019

Manage advanced liquefied gas tanker cargo operations

MARA020

Manage advanced oil tanker cargo operations

MARA021

Manage advanced operations of a ship subject to IGF Code

MARB050

Adjust a magnetic compass

MARB051

Apply elements of magnetic compass adjusting

MARB052

Apply knowledge of the principles of magnetic compass adjusting

MARC056

Operate roll-on and roll-off machinery and equipment on board a vessel

MARF034

Carry out fast rescue craft operations

MARF040

Manage ship security (Ship Security Officer)

MARF048

Plan marine towage operations

MARH025

Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning fundamentals

MARH026

Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning operations

MARH027

Apply knowledge of dynamic positioning systems

MARH028

Conduct dynamic positioning operations

MARH029

Perform marine towage operations

MARN012

Manage advanced operations of ships in polar waters

MARN017

Assist with marine towage operations

This qualification replaces and is equivalent to MAR50220 Diploma of Maritime Operations.