Engineer Officer of the Watch - Training Programme Options
Warsash Maritime Academy offers a number of training programmes leading to the initial Engineer Officer of the Watch (EOOW) Certificate of Competency under the governance of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).
MNTB Engineer Officer Cadet training programmes - HND or Degree Route
The three-year MNTB training programmes for Engineer Officer Cadets lead to the award of MCA STCW '95 III/1 EOOW certification and an associated academic award, either a Foundation Degree or a Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering.
Those candidates following the Foundation Degree route will have a direct pathway option to an Honours degree, while those following the Higher National Diploma route will also achieve an NVQ Level 3 in Merchant Vessel Engineering during their cadetship.
In addition, academic exemptions for MCA senior certification are achieved. Please refer to the associated document on 'Officer Cadet Training Schemes| ' for more detailed information on these training programmes.
MNTB Electro-Technical Officer (ETO) Cadet training program mes- HND or Degree Route
The three-year MNTB training programmes for ETO Officer Cadets lead to the award of MCA STCW '95 III/1 EOOW certification and an associated academic award, either a Foundation Degree or a Higher National Diploma in Marine Engineering.
Those candidates following the Foundation Degree route will have a direct pathway option to an Honours degree, while those following the Higher National Diploma route will also achieve an NVQ Level 3 in Merchant Vessel Engineering during their cadetship. ETO Officer Cadets will also undertake a GMDSS Radio Maintenance Certificate and an Electronic Navigation Equipment Maintenance Certificate.
In addition, academic exemptions for MCA senior certification may be achieved. Please refer to the associated document on 'Officer Cadet Training Schemes| ' for more detailed information on this training programme.
Alternative training programmes to initial EOOW certification
Engineer Officer candidates who are not following approved MNTB Engineer Officer Cadet training programmes are required to follow one of the following alternative training programmes:
All candidates for these alternative training programmes must first obtain a ' Letter of Initial Assessment ' from the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) to determine the appropriate pathway to EOOW certification.
To obtain a ' Letter of Initial Assessment ', please write to the MCA at the following address detailing all previous training and enclosing details of any relevant training certificates achieved, plus the processing fee of £50 which will later be deducted from your first Certificate of Competency Notice of Eligibility fee:
Seafarer Standards Branch
|
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
|
|
Seafarers' Standards Branch
|
|
Spring Place
|
|
105 Commercial Road
|
|
Southampton
|
|
SO15 1EG
|
|
Tel: +44 (0) 2380 329231 Fax: +44 (0)2380 329252
|
|
E-mail: exam_section@mcga.gov.uk| Website: www.mcga.gov.uk|
|
1. Specialised Route to initial EOOW certification
The following candidates may be eligible to follow the ' Specialised Route ', which leads to the award of the MCA STCW '95 III/1 EOOW certification:
-
Engineering apprentices, whose apprenticeship has been approved by the MCA
-
Ex-Royal Navy Engineering Officers, Artificers or Mechanics, subject to recognition by the MCA.
-
Candidates holding MCA-approved engineering qualifications to HND or Degree level, who complete (or have already completed) workshop skills training to MNTB standards.
The MCA will specify in their ' Letter of Initial Assessment ' the elements to be completed prior to award of certification, which may include some or all of the following:
-
MNTB Workshop Skills training and/or skills assessment.
-
All required STCW '95 safety and certification courses:
-
Personal Survival Techniques
-
Fire Prevention & Firefighting
-
Elementary First Aid
-
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities
-
Proficiency in Medical First Aid aboard Ship
-
Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft & Rescue Boats
-
Advanced Firefighting
-
Sea service as specified by MCA (normally a minimum of 6 months sea service, including 4 months engine room watchkeeping duties).
-
Completion of Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) training record book aboard ship.
-
Completion of IAMI (International Association of Maritime Institutions) guided studies aboard ship before taking the IAMI Engineering Knowledge (EK) written examinations at Academy.
-
MCA Oral examination.
Please refer to the associated document for more detailed information on this training programme.
2. Experienced Seafarer Training Route to initial EOOW certification
An alternative training programme ( Examination Route ) is available for experienced seafarers who have acquired previous experience in a ship's engine room (i.e. senior engine room ratings and other certificated personnel) to upgrade their qualifications to initial MCA STCW '95 III/1 EOOW certification level. The MCA will specify any individual entitlement to training exemptions (e.g. for prior engineering workshop skills training) in their ' Letter of Initial Assessment ' .
Once a candidate has obtained a ' Letter of Initial Assessment ' from the MCA, the college can be consulted on how best to meet the specified training requirements. A Training Plan can then be agreed and arrangements made to complete the Academy-based training elements.
Before commencing this training programme, candidates must hold a valid personal medical fitness certificate recognised by the MCA and have acquired a minimum of 12 months sea service in the Engine Room department whilst holding an Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate . Candidates must also have good Mathematical ability, and a good understanding of written and spoken technical English.
Candidates will follow a structured programme of education and training that is based on a common curriculum and includes knowledge, understanding and proficiencies listed in the STCW Code. Candidates will undertake the IAMI Engineering Knowledge (EK) Written Examinations and MCA Oral Examination to achieve initial EOOW certification.
Unless candidates can demonstrate appropriate prior academic learning to the MCA, they will also have to complete an academic Underpinning Knowledge (UPK) guided studies course in general engineering science, with IAMI Academic Written Examinations to be taken at the Academy. In addition, candidates will be required to complete engineering workshop skills training and/or assessment ( if not exempted by the MCA ) and all required STCW '95 safety and certification courses. During completion of the sea service specified by the MCA, candidates will complete on-board training as documented in the MNTB Training Record Book.
Candidates following the Examination Route must complete at least 30 months sea service in the Engine Room department (whilst holding an Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate) for entry to the MCA Oral Examination and to complete the overall training programme. A minimum of 6 months sea service must have been completed whilst following the on-board training programme detailed in the MNTB Training Record Book. At least 6 months of the last 12 months sea service must be spent on duties associated with Engine Room watchkeeping (or assisting the duty Engineer Officer in a ship with unmanned machinery spaces) under the supervision of a certificated Engineer Officer.
Sea Service Testimonials signed by the Chief Engineer Officer(s) of the ships in which the service is performed must be provided as evidence of satisfactory sea service. Please see MGN 8 (M) (Training and Certification Guidance - Part 8 - Education and Training Schemes) for examples of the MCA's standard formats for Sea Service Testimonials, which are recommended for providing the necessary evidence.
Once all other training elements, sea service and on-board training programmes have been satisfactorily completed, candidates will return to the Academy for review of their ISF Record Book. They will then prepare for and undertake the IAMI EK and Academic Written Examinations, as appropriate, and MCA Oral Examination to achieve EOOW certification. Please refer to the associated document for more detailed information.