Marine Careers - Deck
If you want to be in charge of the navigation and safety of a vessel, a deck Certificate of Competency certificate is required.
- Coxswain
- Coxswain River Murray and Inland Waters
- Coxswain Restricted
- Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3
- Master Class 5 River Murray and Inland Waters
- Mate Class 4
- Master Class 4/Skipper Grade 2
- Master Class 4 River Murray and Inland Waters
- Master Class 3/Skipper Grade 1
- Beyond Master Class 3 and Skipper Grade 1
If you choose a career requiring a deck Certificate of Competency, there are many different career options and vessel types that you can work on from from ferries to tugboats together with an assortment of other coastal vessels. Other career options exist in the areas of tourism, such as a fishing charter business, or customs and Compliance Officers for various government agencies.
Coxswain
Being a Coxswain gives you the flexibility to work on small trading or fishing vessels of less than 12 metres in length, as your own boss (i.e. the master) or as a crew member on a larger vessel.
The general functions carried out by a Coxswain will vary depending on the size of the vessel and whether it is a trading or fishing vessel but generally your work will cover:
- Taking charge of a small vessel ensuring its safe operation.
- Attending and reporting on emergencies such as groundings, fire and breakdowns.
- Operate the marine radio.
- Use basic navigation equipment on small vessels.
- Preparing a vessel for voyages usually less than a few days.
- Watchkeeping.
- Carry out maintenance.
- Trading:
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- Attending to the general welfare of passengers and customer service.
- Cargo handling such as luggage, vehicles or general goods.
- Dredging and towage operations.
- Fishing:
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- Operating equipment such as winches.
- Fishing by setting and hauling in lines, nets and pots.
- Assisting with the catch including sorting and freezing.
Please read the fact sheet on the Coxswain Certificate of Competency.
Coxswain River Murray and Inland Waters
Being a Coxswain on the River Murray and Inland Waters you can work in the tourism industry taking visitors on tours of the river system or as a crew member on the big paddle steamers. There are also opportunities to work for other commercial operators (fishing) and government agencies.
The general functions carried out by a Coxswain River Murray and Inland Waters will vary depending on the size of the vessel but generally your work will cover:
- Taking charge of a small vessel, ensuring its safe operation in varying weather conditions.
- Assisting with and reporting on emergencies such as groundings, fire and breakdowns.
- Safely handle a vessel in all weather.
- Use basic navigation equipment on small vessels.
- Preparing a vessel for short voyages.
- Watchkeeping.
- Carry out maintenance.
- Trading:
- Attending to the general welfare of passengers and customer service.
- Cargo handling such as luggage, vehicles or general goods.
- Dredging and towage operations.
Please read the fact sheet on River Murray and Inland Waters Certificate of Competency.
Coxswain Restricted
This certificate was historically used within the Aquaculture industry however is now available for other limited operations.
The Restricted Coxswain Certificate of Competency is not recommended for passenger operations. It should be noted that the State Crewing Commitee is tasked with the responsibility of determining the minimum qualifications and crew that can operate on a trading (passenger) vessel.
This Restricted Coxswain Certificate of Competency does not count toward a full Coxswain Certificate of Competency, however your sea service may be counted. General functions carried out by a Coxswain Restricted will vary depending on the size of the vessel but generally your work will cover:
- Taking charge of a small vessel, ensuring its safe operation.
- Attending and reporting on emergencies such as groundings, fire and breakdowns.
- Operate the marine radio.
- Safely handle a vessel in all weather.
- Use basic navigation equipment on small vessels.
- Preparing a vessel for short voyages.
- Carry out maintenance.
Please read the fact sheet on the Coxswain Restricted Certificate of Competency.
Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3
As a Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 you may be able to work on most commercial trading and fishing vessels less than 24 metres in length around Australia or venture offshore for the ultimate experience. Whether it's whale watching, tourism, ferries, charter boats orworking on fishing vessels using such skills as locating, catching, storing and feeding fish, whatever you choose you get to be at the centre of all the action.
Masters and Skippers have a fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their crew and the seaworthiness of the vessel.
The general functions carried out by a Master Class 5 /Skipper Grade 3 will vary depending on the size of the vessel and whether it is a trading or fishing vessel, but generally your work will cover:
- Full responsibility for the crew and safe vessel operation.
- Making relevant entries in the ship's log.
- Predict and forecast weather from charts.
- Supervise berthing, unberthing and anchoring.
- Navigate using electronic equipment from the bridge, including radar.
- Plan and navigate an offshore passage within the limits of responsibility of a Master Class 5.
- Liaise with other vessels and the shore staff.
- Ensure safety regulations are met and liaise with government authorities.
- Detailed stability planning of cargo to prevent capsizing.
Please read the fact sheet on the Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Certificate of Competency.
Master Class 5 River Murray and Inland Waters
As a Master Class 5 River Murray and Inland Waters you can work in the tourism industry taking visitors on tours of the river system or as a deckhand on the big paddle steamers.
General functions of a Master Class 5 River Murray and Inland Waters may vary according to vessel size and operations but generally your work may cover:
- Responsibility for crew and safe vessel operations.
- Make relevant entries in the ship's log.
- Predict and forecast weather from charts.
- Supervise berthing, unberthing and anchoring.
- Navigate using electronic equipment from the bridge.
- Voyage planning for short periods.
- Liaise with other vessels and the shore staff.
- Ensure safety regulations are met and liaise with government authorities.
- Detailed stability planning of cargo to prevent capsizing.
Please read the fact sheet on River Murray and Inland Waters Certificate of Competency.
Mate Class 4
A Mate Class 4 Certificate of Competency allows you to work on large trading vessels and act as chief watchkeeper of the vessel by directly supporting the Master of the vessel.
The Mate normally has expertise in health and safety, chart work and navigation, electronic navigational aids, instruments and radio communications, and may also be responsible for cargo operations in port. The Mate cannot take command of the vessel.
Master Class 4 and Skipper Grade 2
The Master Class 4 Certificate of Competency allows the holder to be in command of a commercial trading vessel less than 35 metres in length, which can include the Ferries, tug boats and dredges. The Certificate of Competency also allows the holder to be second in command of vessels up to 600 nautical miles offshore.
The Skipper Grade 2 Certificate of Competency is the fishing equivalent of the Master Class 4. It allows command of the same length vessels (less than 35 metres) in the same operating areas - where the activity is commercial fishing rather than charter or trading operations.
Masters and Skippers have a fundamental responsibility to ensure the safety and wellbeing of their crew and the seaworthiness of the vessel.
The general functions carried out by a Master Class 4 or Skipper Grade 2 will vary depending on the size of the vessel and whether it is a trading or fishing vessel, but generally it will cover:
- Full responsibility for the crew and vessel of larger vessels.
- Maintaining and updating the official ship's log.
- Vessel administration and budgeting.
- Using safe ship management principles and processes including lifeboat drills.
- Navigate celestially and from the bridge using equipment like electronic charts.
- Planing an off shore voyage within the limits of responsibility of a Master Class 4.
- Ability to do activities of a Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3.
Please read the relevant fact sheet on the Master Class 4 or Skipper Grade 2 Certificate of Competency.
Master Class 4 River Murray and Inland Waters
As a Master Class 4 River Murray and Inland Waters you can work in tourism, taking visitors on tours of the river system as the officer in charge of one of South Australia's large paddle steamers.
General functions of a Master Class 4 River Murray and Inland Waters may vary according to vessel size and operations but generally your work will cover:
- Full responsibility for the crew and vessel of larger vessels.
- Maintaining and updating the official ship's log.
- Vessel administration and budgeting.
- Using safe ship management principles and processes including lifeboat drills.
- Planning voyages up to about 7 to 8 days.
- Ability to do activities of a Master Class 5 River Murray and Inland Waters.
Master Class 3 and Skipper Grade 1
The Master Class 3 Certificate of Competency is the highest level of deck Certificate of Competency issued by the Commercial Marine Qualifications unit. It allows the holder the be the Master of large vessels up to 80 metres in length.
With a Skipper Grade 1 Certificate of Competency you could be in charge of large factory trawlers. Most modern vessels use electronic systems for navigation, locating fish and monitoring onboard storage conditions.
The general functions carried out by a Master Class 3 or Skipper Grade 1 will vary depending on the size of the vessel and whether it is a trading or fishing vessel but generally your work will cover:
- Full responsibility for the vessel and the safety of the crew.
- Safe operations of large vessels such as skippering a fishing factory trawler.
- Voyage planning for extended periods.
- Making sure that voyages return a profit.
- Ability to perform the activities of a Master Class 4 and Skipper Grade 2.
Please read the fact sheet on the Master Class 3 or Skipper Grade 1 Certificate of Competency.
Beyond Master Class 3 and Skipper Grade 1
To work in international waters or gain a higher level Certificate of Competency you can undertake further study with a maritime training organisation.
Please contact Australian Maritime Safety Authority for further information.
