Seafarer documentsCertificates and qualifications
Officer in charge of a navigational watch, 500 GT or more
OOW
- STCW II/1
- Full entry
- Checked 6 October 2026
- Document type
- Qualification document
- Validity
- As issued; competence shown every 5 years
- Names in other countries
- 58 countries
Contents7
1 What it covers
Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, 500 GT or more (STCW II/1) certifies competence in the named capacity within the limitations stated on the certificate. It is needed by officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more. Validity: as issued; competence shown every 5 years.1–5
2 What it consists of
The certificate requirements include training in: Basic Safety Training STCW VI/1Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats Other Than Fast Rescue Boats STCW VI/2Advanced Fire Fighting STCW VI/3Medical First Aid STCW VI/43,6,7
The standard of competence is set by table A-II/1 of the Code.1–3
3 Validity and renewal
Document validity. The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates.
Maintaining competence. To continue serving at sea, the holder revalidates the certificate at intervals not exceeding 5 years, showing medical fitness and continued professional competence.4,5
4 Which positions
The need follows from the ship and the duties on board, not from the title of the position. In this reference the document appears in the requirements of these positions:
5 Names in 58 countries
How national systems name this document. The original name is given where the source has it; the English name is our editorial rendering.
Same document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| South Africa | Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: South African Maritime Safety Authority · source |
| India | Navigational Watch-keeping Officer (NCV)Issued by: Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) · source |
| India | Second Mate (Foreign Going)Issued by: Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) · source |
| Georgia | Navigational OOW 500 GT or moreOfficer in charge of a navigational watch 500 GT or moreIssued by: Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia · source |
Related document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | Officer in charge of a navigational watch certificatesource |
| Egypt | Second officerIssued by: Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety · source |
| Egypt | Third officerIssued by: Egyptian Authority for Maritime Safety · source |
| Nigeria | OOW <3000GTOOW <3000 GTIssued by: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency · source |
| Nigeria | OOW UNLIMITEDIssued by: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency · source |
Show all 58 countries
Same document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| Romania | Brevet de ofițer punteCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Autoritatea Navală Română · source |
| Estonia | 500-se ja suurema kogumahutavusega laeva vahitüürimehe diplomWatchkeeping Mate Diploma, vessel 500 GT or moreIssued by: Transpordiamet · source |
| Indonesia | Sertifikat Ahli Nautika Tingkat IIINautical Officer Class III (ANT III)Issued by: Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Ministry of Transportation · source |
| Bulgaria | Officer of a Navigational Watch, ship over 500 GTsource |
| Peru | Oficial de puente de buques sin límites de arqueo brutoOfficer of the Navigational Watch, Unlimited Gross TonnageIssued by: Dirección General de Capitanías y Guardacostas · source |
| Philippines | Officer-in-Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Maritime Industry Authority · source |
| Bangladesh | Deck Officer Class-3 (2nd Mate) CertificateIssued by: Department of Shipping · source |
| Poland | oficer wachtowyCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Polish maritime administration / competent Maritime Office · source |
| Lithuania | budinčiojo kapitono padėjėjo kompetencijos liudijimasCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Lithuanian Transport Safety Administration · source |
| France | Brevet d'officier chef de quart passerelleOfficer in charge of a navigational watch certificateIssued by: French maritime administration · source |
| Netherlands | Wachtstuurman alle zeeschepenOfficer in charge of a navigational watch all seagoing shipsIssued by: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat / Kiwa Register · source |
| Vietnam | Sỹ quan boongCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Vietnam Maritime and Waterway Administration; historical issuer Vietnam Maritime Administration · source |
| Portugal | Certificado de competência como oficial chefe de quarto de navegação em navios ou embarcações de arqueação bruta igual ou superior a 500Officer in charge of a navigational watch 500 GT or moreIssued by: DGRM · source |
| Thailand | Officer in charge of a navigational watch,500GT or moreCertificate of Competency – Officer in charge of a navigational watch,500 GT or moreIssued by: Marine Department · source |
| Thailand | Officer in charge of a navigational watch,500GT or more,Near CoastalCertificate of Competency – Officer in charge of a navigational watch,500 GT or more, Near CoastalIssued by: Marine Department · source |
| United Kingdom | Officer of the Watch, UnlimitedIssued by: Maritime and Coastguard Agency · source |
| Türkiye | Vardiya zabitiOfficer of the Watch – 500 to less than 3000 GTIssued by: Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure · source |
| Türkiye | Uzakyol vardiya zabitiOfficer of the Watch, UnlimitedIssued by: Denizcilik Genel Müdürlüğü, Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure · source |
| Croatia | časnik plovidbene stražeCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Ministry of the Sea, Transport and Infrastructure · source |
| Greece | Δίπλωμα Πλοίαρχος Γ΄ τάξης Ε.Ν.Merchant Navy Master – Class CIssued by: Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Insular Policy · source |
| Algeria | Brevet d’aptitude d’officier chargé du quart à la passerelle servant à bord de navires d’une jauge brute inférieure à trois mille(3000)Certificate of Competency – OICNW, Ships Under 3,000 GT, Near-CoastalIssued by: Administration chargée de la marine marchande · source |
| Algeria | Brevet d’aptitude d’officier chargé du quart à la passerelle à bord de navires d’une jauge brute égale ou supérieure à cinq cents(500)Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, Ships of 500 GT or MoreIssued by: Administration chargée de la marine marchande · source |
| Pakistan | Deck Officer Class-III (Second Mate of a foreign-going ship)Deck Officer Class III – Second Mate of a Foreign-Going ShipIssued by: Mercantile Marine Department / Directorate General Ports and Shipping · source |
| Bahamas | Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Bahamas Maritime Authority · source |
| Hong Kong | Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class 3Issued by: Hong Kong Marine Department · source |
| Denmark | Vagthavende styrmandWatchkeeping deck officerIssued by: Danish Maritime Authority / Søfartsstyrelsen · source |
| United States | Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch on vessels of 500 GT or moreIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source |
| Latvia | sardzes stūrmanisCertificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Maritime Administration of Latvia / Latvian Seamen’s Registry · source |
| Myanmar | Deck Officer Class IIIIssued by: Department of Marine Administration · source |
| Italy | Ufficiale di copertaDeck officer of the watchIssued by: Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti / maritime administration · source |
| Sweden | Fartygsbefäl klass VDeck officer Class VIssued by: Transportstyrelsen · source |
| Finland | VahtiperämiesDeck officer's certificateIssued by: Traficom · source |
| Australia | Watchkeeper DeckIssued by: Australian Maritime Safety Authority · source |
| New Zealand | Watchkeeper deckIssued by: Maritime New Zealand · source |
| Argentina | Piloto de UltramarOcean-going Deck OfficerIssued by: Agencia Nacional de Puertos y Navegación; Prefectura Naval Argentina · source |
| Malaysia | WKO >500GT NCCertificate of Competency – Navigational Watchkeeping Officer,500 GT or more, Near CoastalIssued by: Malaysia Marine Department · source |
| Malaysia | WKO >500GT ULCertificate of Competency – Navigational Watchkeeping Officer,500 GT or more, UnlimitedIssued by: Malaysia Marine Department · source |
| Sri Lanka | Certificate of Competency – Officer in charge of navigational watchIssued by: Merchant Shipping Secretariat / Director General of Merchant Shipping · source |
| Sri Lanka | Certificate of Competency – Officer in charge of navigational watch on ships of less than 3,000 GT engaged on near coastal voyagesIssued by: Merchant Shipping Secretariat / Director General of Merchant Shipping · source |
| Colombia | Oficial encargado de la guardia de navegación en buques de arqueo bruto igual o superior a 500Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, ships of 500 GT or moreIssued by: Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR) · source |
| Fiji | Deck Watchkeeper (Near Coastal)Issued by: Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji · source |
| Fiji | Deck Watchkeeper (Unlimited)Issued by: Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji · source |
| Fiji | Master Class 3 & Deck Watchkeeper endorsementMaster Class 3 with Deck Watchkeeper EndorsementIssued by: Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji · source |
| Iceland | Yfirmaður siglingavaktar C/(2.)Officer of a Navigational Watch Certificate C/(2.)Issued by: Samgöngustofa · source |
| Jamaica | OiCNW – Ships of 500grt or more, UnlimitedOiCNW – Ships of 500 grt or more, UnlimitedIssued by: Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) · source |
| Slovenia | častnik krovne straže na ladji z bruto tonažo 500 ali večOfficer of a Navigational Watch, ship 500 GT or moreIssued by: Uprava Republike Slovenije za pomorstvo · source |
| Taiwan | 一等船副適任證書Certificate of Competency – Navigational Watch Officer, National Class 1Issued by: Maritime and Port Bureau / Ministry of Transportation and Communications · source |
| Taiwan | 二等船副適任證書Certificate of Competency – Navigational Watch Officer, National Class 2Issued by: Maritime and Port Bureau / Ministry of Transportation and Communications · source |
Related document
| Country | Name in the issuing country |
|---|---|
| Spain | Patrón de Altura de la Marina MercanteMerchant marine skipper (Patrón de Altura)Issued by: Dirección General de la Marina Mercante · source |
| Spain | Patrón de Litoral de la Marina MercanteMerchant marine coastal skipperIssued by: Dirección General de la Marina Mercante · source |
| Spain | Piloto de Segunda Clase de la Marina MercanteMerchant marine deck officer 2nd classIssued by: Dirección General de la Marina Mercante · source |
| Bangladesh | Deck Officer Class-5 (Mate-Near Coastal Voyage) CertificateIssued by: Department of Shipping · source |
| Germany | Nautischer Wachoffizier NWONautical watchkeeping officer (NWO)Issued by: BSH · source |
| France | Brevet d'officier chef de quart de navire de merDual-purpose officer of the watch certificateIssued by: French maritime administration · source |
| Mexico | Piloto NavalIssued by: SEMAR, Dirección General de Marina Mercante · source |
| Netherlands | Maritiem officierDual-purpose maritime officerIssued by: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat / Kiwa Register · source |
| Netherlands | Wachtstuurman tot 3000 GTOfficer in charge of a navigational watch up to 3000 GTIssued by: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat / Kiwa Register · source |
| Ghana | Officer In Charge of A Navigational WatchIssued by: Ghana Maritime Authority · source |
| China | 二副Certificate of Competency – Second Mate (二副)Issued by: Maritime Safety Administration, Ministry of Transport · source |
| China | 三副Certificate of Competency – Third Mate (三副)Issued by: Maritime Safety Administration, Ministry of Transport · source |
| Norway | Certificate of Competency Deck Officer Class 3Deck officer Class 3 (D3)Issued by: Norwegian Maritime Authority / Sjøfartsdirektoratet · source |
| Norway | Certificate of Competency Deck Officer Class 4Deck officer Class 4 (D4)Issued by: Norwegian Maritime Authority / Sjøfartsdirektoratet · source |
| Denmark | Sønæringsbevis som dual skibsofficerDual-purpose ship officer certificateIssued by: Danish Maritime Authority / Søfartsstyrelsen · source |
| United States | Second MateIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source |
| United States | Third MateIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source |
| Belgium | Officier de pontDeck officer certificateIssued by: FPS Mobility and Transport / Scheepvaartcontrole · source |
| Sweden | Fartygsbefäl klass IIIDeck officer Class IIIIssued by: Transportstyrelsen · source |
| Sweden | Fartygsbefäl klass IVDeck officer Class IVIssued by: Transportstyrelsen · source |
| Canada | Watchkeeping MateIssued by: Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security · source |
| Canada | Watchkeeping Mate, Near CoastalIssued by: Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security · source |
| Brazil | Primeiro Oficial de NáuticaFirst Nautical Officer (1 ON)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source |
| Brazil | Segundo Oficial de NáuticaSecond Nautical Officer (2 ON)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source |
| Brazil | Capitão de CabotagemCabotage Master (CCB)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source |
| Brazil | Capitão de Longo CursoOcean-going Master (CLC)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source |
| Chile | Capitán de Alta MarIssued by: Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante · source |
| Chile | Piloto PrimeroIssued by: Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante · source |
| Chile | Piloto SegundoIssued by: Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante · source |
| Chile | Piloto TerceroIssued by: Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante · source |
| Ecuador | Segundo Oficial de Cubierta (Oficial de Cubierta de 2DA)Second Deck OfficerIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source |
| Ecuador | Tercer Oficial de Cubierta (Oficial de Cubierta de 3ERA)Third Deck OfficerIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source |
| Uruguay | Segundo Oficial de PuenteOfficer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Prefectura Nacional Naval, Dirección Registral y de Marina Mercante (DIRME) · source |
| Uruguay | Tercer Oficial de PuenteOfficer in Charge of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Prefectura Nacional Naval, Dirección Registral y de Marina Mercante (DIRME) · source |
"Related document" is a national document of its own system that relates to this type but is not automatically equal to it.
6
Same code STCW II/1: one code is not always one document. The certificate itself and the limitations written in it show which one you hold. Other types under this code: MCA Certificate of Competency – Officer of the Watch, Yachts less than 3,000 GT1
7 Frequently asked questions
Who needs the Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, 500 GT or more?
How long is the Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, 500 GT or more valid?
The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates. To continue serving at sea, the holder revalidates the certificate at intervals not exceeding 5 years, showing medical fitness and continued professional competence.4,5
What else is the Certificate of Competency – Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, 500 GT or more called?
Also known as Certificate of Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch 500+ GT, OOW. National names in 58 countries are listed on this page.