Master Class 3 and Skipper Grade 1, Deck Certificate of Competency
- What your certificate will qualify you for
- Sea Service
- The paperwork and payment
- Training
- What you need to provide to revalidate
To be eligible for the issue of a Master Class 3 or a Skipper Grade 1 Certificate of Competency you must be at least 18 years old and hold a high level Certificate of Competency.
- Applying for a Skipper Grade 1 Certificate of Competency you will need either a Skipper Grade 3 or Skipper Grade 2 Certificate of Competency.
- Applying for a Master Class 3 Certificate of Competency you will need either a Mate Class 4 or Master Class 4 or Second Mate Certificate of Competency.
- Both Master Class 3 and Skipper Grade 1 applicants must hold the following certificates:
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- Certificate in Proficiency in Survival Craft
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Ships Master's Medical
- Command Navigation
Your certificate will expire after five years. It is up to you to revalidate it.
What your Certificate of Competency will qualify you for
- With a Master Class 3 Certificate of Competency, you are qualified to master (take charge of) commercial trading vessels less than
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- 80 metres in length, for Australian Coastal and Middle Waters (ACMW) within 600 nautical miles of the coast
- 35 metres in length for unlimited domestic operations
- 3000 GT and less than 100 metres in length for ACMW operations within 600nm
- With a Skipper Grade 1 Certificate of Competency, you are qualified to master (take charge of) commercial fishing vessels less than
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- 35 metres in length for unlimited domestic operations
- 80 metres in length, for Australian Coastal and Middle Waters, within 600 nautical miles of the coast
- 3000 GT and less than 100 metres in length, for ACMW operations within 600 nautical miles
Qualifying Watchkeeping Sea Service
Master Class 3 Certificate:
Master Class 3 applicants holding a:
- Master Class 4 Certificate must have a minimum of 18 months watchkeeping service, since obtaining that certificate.
Note: a Master 5/Skipper 3 cannot directly qualify for a Master Class 3. - Second Mate or Mate Class 4 Certificate must have a minimum of 36 months watchkeeping service since obtaining that certificate.
Skipper Grade 1 applicants holding a:
- Applicants holding a Skipper Grade 2 Certificate must have not less than 36 months qualifying sea service since obtaining their Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Certificate of which 24 months shall be watchkeeping service
- Applicants holding a Master Class 5/Skipper Grade 3 Certificate must have not less than 36 months qualifying sea service since obtaining the Skipper Grade 3 Certificate of which 24 months shall be watchkeeping service.
Watchkeeping Service Criteria
In assessing watchkeeping service:
- 12 months of watchkeeping shall be in the last 5 years.
- At least 12 months shall be watchkeeping service on either fishing vessels (Skipper 1) or trading vessels (Master 3) on vessels of 24 metres or more in length, depending on certificate applied for.
- Of the 12 months watchkeeping on trading vessesl for Master Class 3 at least 9 months must be on a vessel greater than 30 metres.
- At least 50 per cent of total watchkeeping shall be beyond the limits of sheltered waters. If this is not met then a restricted certificate may be issued that limits the master acting in the position of mate or watchkeeper.
- At least 33 per cent of the total watchkeeping service shall be on seagoing voyages of 24 hours or more.
If this is not met then a restricted certificate may be issued that limits the service as a master or mate to offshore operations (within 200nm).
Evidence of qualifying sea-service:
- You need to provide the evidence of this sea service which can be in the form of one of the following:
- A Record of Service book signed by the Master, Owner or Agent of the vessel (Record of Service books lodged without a supporting Testimonial will not be considered for Watchkeeping service)
- A Watchkeeping testimonial from the Master or owner of the vessel(s) on which the service took place.
- Evidence in any format above must clearly show the actual number of days served at sea, duties performed, vessel length, propulsion power, operational areas and commencement and completion dates of service. Any gaps (e.g.Sick Leave or Annual Leave) should be indicated.
The paperwork and payment
If this is the first time that you are applying for a Certificate of Competency you will need to submit the forms listed on the forms page.
You can pay on line in person or you can mail your payment, if paying by mail please do not send cash.
Training
To obtain this certificate you need to undertake a training course or provide evidence of training, You will need to contact the training providers to obtain course details. Remember that passing a training course is only part of the process.
Before we issue you with a certificate you will need to do the following training and provide evidence of the following. These are normally part of your course but can be undertaken seperately through AMSA:
- Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Ship Master's Medical
- Command Navigation
- Marine Radio Operator's Certicicate of Proficiency or equivalent.
What you need to revalidate:
Certificates of Competency are issued for 5 years and can be revalidated at any time in the 12 months before it expires or at any time after it has expired. You need to pay the appropriate fee and complete the forms listed on the forms page.
You also need to provide provide sea service, go to the revalidation page for details.
