A person is only qualified to take charge of a navigational watch if that person holds:
(a) a current certificate of medical fitness for the deck department; and
(b) a valid certificate of competency or certificate of recognition permitting the watchkeeping duties in accordance with 24; and
(c) a valid GMDSS General Operators Certificate.
24 Grades of certificates
24.1 Duties permitted by grades of certificates
Subject to any specific requirements of this Part,[11] a certificate of competency or certificate of recognition of a grade specified in column 1 of Table 1 permits the holder to carry out the duties listed opposite that grade in column 2 of Table 1.
Table 1
Column 1Grade of certificate
Column 2Duties permitted
Master
Master, Chief Mate or Watchkeeper on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area
Master (<3000 GT)
Master or Chief Mate on ships of less than 3000 GT in any operating areaWatchkeeper on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area
Master (<500 GT)
Master or Chief Mate on ships of less than 500 GT in any operating areaMaster on ships of less than 3000 GT on near coastal voyages (if endorsed in accordance with 25.3(c)(iv))Chief Mate on ships of less than 3000 GT on near coastal voyages (if endorsed in accordance with 25.3(c)(v))Watchkeeper on ships of less than 3000 GT in any operating area
Chief Mate
Chief Mate or Watchkeeper on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area
Column 1Grade of certificate
Column 2Duties permitted
Chief Mate (<3000 GT)
Chief Mate on ships of less than 3000 GT in any operating areaWatchkeeper on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area
Mate (<500 GT)
Chief Mate or Watchkeeper on ships of less than 500 GT in any operating areaMaster on ships of less than 500 GT on near coastal voyagesChief Mate on ships of less than 3000 GT on near coastal voyages (if endorsed in accordance with 25.6(c)(iii))Watchkeeper on ships of less than 3000 GT on near coastal voyages
Watchkeeper (Deck)
Watchkeeper on ships of any gross tonnage in any operating area
24.2 Transitional
24.2.1 A person being the holder of a valid certificate of competency or a certificate of recognition of a grade specified in column 1 of Table 2 and issued under Issue 5 of this Part is deemed to be the holder of a certificate of the grade listed opposite that certificate in column 2 of Table 2.
Table 2
Column 1Grade of certificate issued under Issue 5
Column 2Grade of certificate deemed to be held under Issue 6
Master Class 1
Master
Master Class 1 issued under 1.8(b) of Appendix 2 of Issue 5
Master
Master Class 1 issued under 1.8(a) of Appendix 2 of Issue 5
Master (<3000 GT)
Master Class 2
Master (<3000 GT)
Master Class 3 (Issued by AMSA)
Master (<500 GT)
Chief Mate Class 1
Chief Mate
Chief Mate Class 2
Chief Mate (<3000 GT)
Column 1Grade of certificate issued under Issue 5
Column 2Grade of certificate deemed to be held under Issue 6
Second Mate Class 1
Watchkeeper (Deck)
Second Mate Class 2
Watchkeeper (Deck)
24.2.2 If satisfied that the holder of a valid certificate issued by a State or Territory meets the requirements of the STCW Convention for that grade of certificate, the Manager is to issue in respect of the certificate an STCW Endorsement by issuing an appropriate document to accompany the certificate.
24.2.3 Provision 24.2.2 does not have effect after 31 December 2005.[12]
24.2.4 An STCW Endorsement permits the holder to carry out the duties specified on the endorsement.
24.2.5 A certificate or STCW Endorsement issued, revalidated, endorsed or recognised under Issue 5 of this Part, is deemed, until its expiry date, to be a certificate or STCW Endorsement issued, revalidated, endorsed or recognised under this Issue of this Part.
24.2.6 Until 31 December 2005, a person who meets the requirements in Issue 5 of this Part for the issue of a certificate of competency as Master Class 2 is eligible to be issued with a certificate of competency as Master (<3000 GT).
24.2.7 Until 31 December 2005, a person who meets the requirements in Issue 5 of this Part for the issue of a certificate of competency as Chief Mate Class 2 is eligible to be issued with a certificate of competency as Chief Mate (<3000 GT).
24.2.8 Until 31 December 2005, the holder of a certificate of competency as Master Class 2 is qualified to perform the duties listed in column 1 of Table 1 of Appendix 1 of Issue 5 of this Part corresponding to that qualification.
24.2.9 Until 31 December 2005, the holder of a certificate of competency as Chief Mate Class 2 is qualified to perform the duties listed in column 1 of Table 1 of Appendix 1 of Issue 5 of this Part corresponding to that qualification.