1Name of Order
This Order is Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers - yachts) 2015.
This Order is Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers - yachts) 2015.
This Order specifies STCW Convention standards of competence to be attained and other STCW Convention conditions to be satisfied by a person to be a qualified master or deck officer under the Navigation Act for a regulated Australian vessel that is a yacht.
This Order is to be read with Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014.
Note The 2011 edition of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code (including the amendments to the annex known as the 2010 Manila Amendments) can be purchased from the International Maritime Organization. A December 2015 Supplement is also available. See the IMO website at http://www.imo.org/publications. The STCW Convention (ATS series number [1984] ATS 7) and STCW Code (ATS series number [1997] ATS 33) including any amendments in force are in the Australian Treaties Series accessible from the Australian Treaties Library on the AustLII website at http://www.austlii.edu.au.
The following provisions of the Navigation Act provide for this Order to be made:
section 28 which provides that regulations may provide for seafarer certificates and give effect to the STCW Convention;
subsection 29(1) which provides that regulations may prescribe different classes of seafarer certificates and require an individual to hold a seafarer certificate of a particular kind to undertake particular duties, or perform particular functions, as a seafarer;
subsection 29(2) which provides that the regulations may prescribe, for seafarer certificates, proficiencies, competencies and standards, qualifications, experience, minimum age, character, health, nationality, citizenship or residence;
subsection 29(3) which provides that the regulations may provide for, among other things:
how the attainment of proficiencies, competencies and standards is to be evidenced (including the gaining of sea service and other experience); and
the instruction, training and examination of seafarers (including the conduct of exams etc);
subsection 314(1) which provides that regulations may provide for the following matters for certificates: the persons who may apply, the forms for applying, the way of applying, the information to be included in applications and the documents to accompany applications;
subsection 314(3) which provides that the regulations may provide, among other things for certificates, criteria to be satisfied for the issue of certificates;
subsection 314(4) which provides that criteria and conditions may relate to compliance with specified standards;
subsection 314(5) which provides that regulations may provide, among other things for certificates, for the renewal of certificates.
Subsection 339(1) of the Navigation Act provides for regulations to be made prescribing matters required or permitted to be prescribed, or that are necessary or convenient to be prescribed, for carrying out or giving effect to the Act.
Subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act provides that AMSA may make a Marine Order about matters that can be provided for by regulation.
In this Order:
certificate of medical fitness has the meaning:
for the issue of a seafarer certificate - that is given by paragraph (a) of the definition of certificate of medical fitness in section 4 of Marine Order 76 (Health - medical fitness) 2017; and
for the revalidation of a seafarer certificate or a certificate of recognition - that is given by paragraph (a) or (b) of the definition of certificate of medical fitness in section 4 of Marine Order 76 (Health - medical fitness) 2017 length, for a vessel other than a vessel mentioned in Schedule 1, means the overall length of the vessel.
master duties or functions means the tasks, duties and responsibilities of a master that are specified as competencies in STCW Code, Table AII/2, column 1.
monitored, for a seafarer training course, means monitored by the seafarer training organisation providing the course.
sailing vessel has the same meaning as in Marine Order 52 (Yachts and training vessels) 2022.
trainee has the same meaning as in Marine Order 52 (Yachts and training vessels) 2022.
watchkeeper deck officer duties or functions means the tasks, duties and responsibilities of a watchkeeper on the watch that are specified by STCW Code, Table AII/1, column 1.
yacht means a vessel that:
is less than 3000 GT; and
is for commercial use for sport or pleasure; and
does not carry cargo; and
does not carry more than 12 passengers.
Note A yacht need not be designed to carry sail and may be a training vessel, a sail training vessel or a short range yacht.
For paragraph (b) of the definition of yacht, a training vessel is taken to be:
used for sport or pleasure; and
if trainees are charged fees to travel on the vessel - for commercial use.
Terms defined in Marine Order 70 (Seafarer qualifications) 2014 and used in this Order have the meaning given by that Order.
Note 1 Some terms used in this Order are defined in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2013 including:
IMO
Navigation Act
STCW Code.
Note 2 Other terms used in this Order have the same meaning that they have in the Navigation Act, including:
AMSA master officer regulated Australian vessel seafarer seafarer certificate
STCW Convention.
Note 3 For delegation of AMSA's powers under this Order - see the AMSA website Marine Orders link at http://www.amsa.gov.au.
This Order applies to the following persons:
a person performing or intending to perform, duties or functions as a master or deck officer on a regulated Australian vessel that is a yacht;
a person who holds a seafarer certificate mentioned in Schedule 1.
For section 35 of the Navigation Act, a person is qualified to perform the duties or functions of a master or deck officer for a regulated Australian vessel that is a yacht if:
the person holds a seafarer certificate that this Order requires the person to hold to perform those duties or functions; and
the certificate permits the person to perform duties or functions mentioned in Schedule 1 for the grade of certificate.
Note A seafarer certificate issued under the Navigation Act, including a certificate of recognition, may include endorsements permitting the certificate holder to perform stated duties or functions - see section 8 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014.
For paragraph 35(1)(a) of the Navigation Act, a person must hold either of the following kinds of seafarer certificates to perform the duties or functions mentioned in Schedule 1 for a regulated Australian vessel that is a yacht:
if the person is to perform the duties or functions mentioned in Schedule 1 for a grade of certificate - a seafarer certificate of that grade that is mentioned in Schedule 1; or
a seafarer certificate of a grade mentioned in Schedule 1 of Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2023 that permits the holder to perform the duties or functions.
Note A certificate of recognition is a kind of seafarer certificate - see subsection 7(2) of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014.
A person who holds a master or deck officer - yachts certificate of competency and performs on a sailing vessel master duties or functions for the grade of certificate must also hold a sailing vessel endorsement of the kind that applies to the vessel.
A person who holds a seafarer certificate that is a master or deck officer - yachts certificate of competency and performs, on a yacht equipped with ECDIS, duties or functions mentioned in Schedule 1 for the grade of certificate must also hold an endorsement of certificate of proficiency as ECDIS trained.
Division 2 Requirements
For paragraph 31(1)(b) of the Navigation Act, the criteria for the issue by AMSA to a person of a seafarer certificate as a master or deck officer for yachts are as follows:
the person is familiar enough with the English language that the person can fully understand directions and documents relating to the performance of the duties permitted under the certificate;
the person satisfies the eligibility requirements for the certificate that are mentioned in Schedule 2.
A qualifying seagoing service eligibility requirement mentioned in Schedule 2 for a certificate must comply with Schedule 3.
A qualifying seagoing service revalidation requirement mentioned in Schedule 4 for a certificate must comply with Schedule 3.
Note See also Subdivision 3.1 of Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014 for the general rules for the calculation of qualifying seagoing service.
AMSA may revalidate a seafarer certificate as a master or deck officer for yachts or a certificate of recognition of that kind of certificate if satisfied that:
the certificate is not suspended, cancelled or revoked; and
the applicant satisfies the revalidation requirements mentioned in Schedule 4.
Schedule 1 Grades of certificate - permitted duties or functions (section 7)
Grade of certificate Permitted duties or functions
Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts)
Watchkeeper deck officer duties or functions on yachts <3000 GT in any operating area
Duties as Rating forming part of a navigational watch
if endorsed, master duties or functions on yachts <200 GT and <24 m long in any operating area
Note for paragraph (c) This means a yacht that is less than 24 m in load line length - see definition of length in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2013.
Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts)
Watchkeeper deck officer duties or functions on yachts <3000 GT in any operating area
Duties as Rating forming part of a navigational watch
if endorsed, master duties or functions on yachts <200 GT and <24 m long in any operating area
Note for paragraph (c) This means a yacht that is less than 24 m in load line length - see definition of length in Marine Order 1 (Administration) 2013.
Master <500 GT (Yachts)
Master duties or functions on yachts <500 GT in any operating area
Watchkeeper deck officer duties or functions on yachts <3000 GT in any operating area
Able Seafarer - Deck duties or functions
Master <3000 GT (Yachts)
Master or watchkeeper deck officer duties or functions on yachts <3000 GT in any operating area
Able Seafarer - Deck duties or functions
Schedule 2 Eligibility requirements for certificates (paragraph 9(b))
Grade of certificate Eligibility requirements
Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts) Person must:
be at least 18 years old; and
have completed at least 36 months documented qualifying seagoing service (or at least 18 months if part of an approved and monitored course) performing watchkeeping duties or functions in the deck department on vessels ≥12 m long, of which:
at least 8 months was served on vessels ≥20 m long on voyages of at least 24 hours duration; and
at least 6 months of the 8 months mentioned in subparagraph (b) (i) was served as:
understudy of the officer in charge of a navigation watch on a vessel; or
an officer in charge of a navigation watch on a vessel, that AMSA considers equivalent to the watchkeeping service mentioned in subsubparagraph (A); and
have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in STCW Code section AII/1 and includes the following:
an approved course of basic safety training (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/1 paragraph 2);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4); and
have completed an approved program of study, that includes vocational training, that complies with STCW Code section A-II/4; and
hold the following certificates:
a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
a GMDSS radio operator certificate (that complies with STCW Code section AIV/2);
a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment; and
for endorsement as Master <200 GT (Yachts) have passed a final assessment for the endorsement
For sub-subparagraph (b)(ii)(A), the service as an understudy of an officer in charge of a navigational watch must be performed while completing an approved deck watchkeeper understudy program and the seagoing service:
is performed:
in the deck department; and
in shifts of at least 4 hours; and
includes the following:
100 hours performing duties as lookout;
100 hours performing duties in daylight hours;
100 hours performing duties in darkness;
180 hours performing watchkeeping duties under supervision.
Note See subsection 20(4) of Marine Order 11 (Living and working conditions on vessels) 2015 for when seafarers under 18 may perform night work for training purposes for approved programs.
Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts) Person must:
satisfy the eligibility requirements for a Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts) certificate mentioned in paragraphs (a) to (e); and
include in the approved program of study mentioned in paragraph (c) for that certificate:
training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/3); and
training in medical first aid (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/4 paragraphs 1 to 3); and
have passed a final assessment; and
for endorsement as Master <200 GT (Yachts) have passed a final assessment for the endorsement.
Note for paragraph (a) The eligibility requirements for a Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts) certificate include holding a certificate of medical fitness.
Master <500 GT (Yachts) Person must:
hold or have held:
a Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts) certificate of competency; or
another certificate AMSA considers at least equivalent to a certificate mentioned in subparagraph (i); and
have completed at least 12 months documented qualifying seagoing service as an officer in charge of a navigation watch on vessels of ≥12 m long:
of which at least 4 months was served on vessels ≥20 m long and at least 4 months was served on vessels on voyages of at least 24 hours duration; and
while holding a certificate mentioned in paragraph (a); and
have completed an approved program of study that meets the standards specified in section AII/1 and the relevant section in AII/2 of the STCW Code and includes the following:
approved modules in command navigation, shipmasters business and management, and vessel operations and administration;
an approved course of basic safety training (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/1 paragraph 2);
training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code AVI/3);
training in medical care on board ship (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/4 paragraphs 4 to 6);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4); and
have completed an approved program of study, that includes vocational training, that complies with STCW Code section A-II/4; and
hold the following certificates:
a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
a certificate of proficiency as ECDIS trained;
a GMDSS radio operator certificate (that complies with STCW Code section AIV/2);
a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment
Master <3000 GT (Yachts) Person must:
hold or have held:
a Master <500 GT (Yachts) certificate of competency; or
another certificate AMSA considers at least equivalent to a certificate mentioned in subparagraph (i); and
have completed at least 24 months documented qualifying seagoing service in charge of a navigation watch on vessels ≥12 m long, of which at least 8 months was served on vessels ≥20 m long, while holding any of the following certificates:
a certificate of competency as Watchkeeper Deck <3000 GT (Yachts), Master <500 GT (Yachts) or Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts); or
another certificate AMSA considers at least equivalent to a certificate mentioned in subsubparagraph (A); and
have completed an approved program of study that meets the relevant standards specified in section AII/1 and section AII/2 of the STCW Code and includes the following:
approved modules in command navigation, shipmasters business and management, and vessel operations and administration;
training in advanced fire fighting (that complies with STCW Code AVI/3);
training in medical care on board ship (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/4 paragraphs 4 to 6);
security awareness training (that complies with STCW Code section A-VI/6 paragraph 4); and
have completed an approved program of study, that includes vocational training, that complies with STCW Code section A-II/4; and
hold the following certificates:
a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (that complies with STCW Code section AVI/2 paragraphs 1 to 4);
a certificate of proficiency as ECDIS trained;
a GMDSS General Radio Operators Certificate (that complies with STCW Code section AIV/2);
a certificate of medical fitness; and
have passed a final assessment
Schedule 3 Qualifying seagoing service - general requirements (section 10)
3.1 Service must have been performed as a master, deck officer, trainee deck officer, deck cadet or rating.
3.2 Qualifying seagoing service is calculated as follows:
if the person is undertaking master or deck officer duties or functions for at least 8 hours in a 24 hour period, the sea service is taken to be served as a whole day;
if the person is undertaking master or deck officer duties or functions for less than 8 hours in a 24 hour period, the sea service is taken to be for the actual hours served plus 25% of that time.
3.3 For clause 3.2, sea service calculated to be at least 8 hours in any 24 hour period is taken to be served as a whole day and no more than a whole day.
Schedule 4 Requirements for revalidation of certificates (paragraph 11(b))
4.1 The person must have at least 1 of the following:
documented qualifying seagoing service calculated in the same way as required for the issue of the certificate to be revalidated, of:
12 months in the 5 years before the application for revalidation; or
3 months in the 6 months before the application for revalidation;
completed, within the 5 years before the date of applying for revalidation of the certificate, an approved revalidation course appropriate for the grade of certificate to be revalidated;
performed duties or functions and completed approved courses appropriate for the grade of certificate to be revalidated that together AMSA considers at least equivalent to the service mentioned in paragraph (a);
within the 5 years before the date of applying for revalidation of the certificate:
completed approved short courses appropriate for the grade of certificate; and
have passed a final assessment.
4.2 The person must hold the following certificates:
a certificate of medical fitness;
a GMDSS General Radio Operators Certificate (that complies with STCW Code section AIV/2).
4.3 The person must have maintained the STCW Code required standard of competence in security awareness (as specified in STCW Code Table A-VI/6-1).
4.4 If the certificate to be revalidated is a Watchkeeper Deck <30000 GT (Yachts) certificate of competency, the person must also have maintained the STCW Code required standard of competence in:
fire prevention and fire fighting (as specified in STCW Code Table A-VI/12); and
proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (as specified in STCW Code Table A-VI/2-1).
4.5 If the certificate to be revalidated is a Chief Mate <3000 GT (Yachts), Master <500 GT (Yachts) or a Master <3000 GT (Yachts) certificate of competency, the person must also have maintained the STCW Code required standard of competence in:
advanced firefighting (as specified in STCW Code Table AVI/3); and
proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats (as specified in STCW Code Table A-VI/2-1).
4.6 If the person is to undertake duties or functions on ECDIS equipped vessels, the person must hold a certificate of proficiency as ECDIS trained.
Note 1
Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers - yachts) 2015 (in force under subsection 342(1) of the Navigation Act 2012) as shown in this compilation comprises Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers - yachts) 2015 amended as indicated in the following tables.
Table of Orders
Year and number Registration date FRLI number Commencement date Application, saving or transitional provisions
Marine Order 74 (Masters and deck officers - yachts) 2015 (MO 2015/6) 1 Dec 2015 F2015L01895 1 January 2016
Marine Order 75 (Seafarer certification amendment) 2016 (MO 2016/5) 9 June 2016 F2016L01017 10 June 2016
Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 76 - consequential changes) Order 2017 (MO 2017/9) 18 Dec 2017 F2017L01635 1 January 2018
Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 52 - consequential changes) Order 2022 (MO 2022/6) 19 Dec 2022 F2022L01684 1 January 2023
Marine Orders Amendment (Marine Order 71 - consequential changes) Order 2023 (MO 2023/6) 21 Nov 2023 F2023L01534 1 July 2024 ad. = added or inserted am. = amended rep. = repealed rs. = repealed and substituted
Provision affected How affected