Answers To Our Most Frequently Asked Questions
What can I do to replace a lost, damaged or stolen certificate?
I think my certificate is about to expire, how can I tell?
I started my Certificate course but I had to defer, what do I do now?
Can I do my oral exam before I have given you all the paper work?
I am colour blind, does this mean I can't get a Certificate of Competency?
When I tow tuna cages can I put this time toward my trading sea service?
I only have half the sea service needed; can I still do the course?
I am under 18 years of age; can I still sit the Coxswain course?
I've heard about Pilotage exemptions; how do I get one?
Will the sea service I submit for a Coxswain Certificate of Competency be taken into account if I want a Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency?
Yes, we will allow you to use the 12 months (240 days) submitted for your Coxswain Certificate of Competency toward a Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency so long as the vessel that you obtained your sea service on was over 5mtr. However, you will still need to provide us with commercial sea service for the remaining time for a Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency.
Will the sea service I submit for a Coxswain Certificate of Competency be take into account if I want a Marine Engine Driver 2 Certificate of Competency or Marine Engine Driver 3 Certificate of Competency?
Yes, we will allow you to use the 12 months (240 days) submitted for your Coxswain Certificate of Competency toward a Marine Engine Driver 2 Certificate of Competency or Marine Engine Driver 3 Certificate of Competency so long as the vessel you obtained your sea service on meets the engine size required.
What can I do to replace a damaged, lost or stolen certificate?
If you have a damaged certificate, please surrender it, together with an application form. We will charge you a fee for replacing the certificate.
If your certificate has been lost or stolen we advise you to report the loss to the police, to help protect you from identity fraud. In addition you will need to provide us with a statutory declaration signed by a Justice of the Peace providing us with the details including the police report number if you have one.
You will also need to complete an application form and pay the replacement fee.
I think my certificate is about to expire, how can I tell?
Inside the front cover there is an expiry date, if it has been renewed or revalidated then inside the book you will have a label showing when it was renewed/revalidated and the current expiry date.
I started my training course but I had to defer, what do I do now?
As this is dependant on when you did the course and whether or not the course syllabus has changed, we recommend you contact your training provider who will advise you of the next step. If you have already paid our fees you may not be required to pay again, however you may need to pay any increase in fees.
I did my studies quite some time ago and passed the course but never obtained my certificate, what do I need to do to get it now?
If you did your exams more than 5 years ago, by law we cannot recognise them. You will need to see your training provider to apply for recognition of prior learning or undertake the course again.
If you did your exams within the last 5 years, you will need to provide us with all the information relevant to the issuing of the Certificate of Competency, and then book in for an oral exam. Please refer the relevant Certificate of Competency for further information on the application process.
Can I do my oral exam before I have given you all the paper work?
We require all of the application process to be completed prior to booking your oral exam.
On the rare occurance you may be granted approval to undertake the oral if you are still trying to obtain some prerequisites however you will not be provided with a Certificate of Competency until we receive and process all of the information.
I am colour blind, does this mean I can't get a certificate?
This is dependant on the severity of your colour blindness. You will need to see an eye specialist and request a letter setting out the level of your colour blindness and whether in their opinion it would impact on your role at sea. You may be eligible for a Certificate of Competency which is restricted to day light hours only. We recommend that you do this before you enrol in a course and make any payment.
When I tow tuna cages can I put this time toward my trading sea service?
For Certificates of Competency for Master Class 5 only, the experience level gained in towing tuna cages will be accepted as qualifying sea service toward a trading certificate. This is Policy Determination for this class only and does not set a precedent for qualifying service for any other class.
I only have half the sea service needed, can I still do the course?
Yes, but you will not be issued a certificate until you provide us with the remaining sea service. If you do not have sufficient time you can always use the ROPES book to reduce the amount of sea service needed.
I am under 18 years of age; can I still sit the Coxswain course?
Yes you can, but under law we cannot issue you with a certificate until you are 18 years old. You will need to contact us when you turn 18.
I've heard about Pilotage exemptions, how do I get one?
Only Master Class 4 or Skipper Grade 2 Certificate of Competency holders can obtain a Pilotage Exemption. You need to be employed by one of the Port Operators and trained in Port regulations and navigation. A Pilotage exemption is valid for two years.
Please contact Flinders Ports for more information.
