Rynda Crewing

Seafarer documentsCertificates and qualifications

Navigational watch rating certificate (STCW II/4)

  • STCW II/4
  • Full entry
  • Checked 6 October 2026
Document type
Training certificate
Validity
As shown on the issued document
Names in other countries
48 countries
Contents7

1 What it covers

Certificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (STCW II/4) certifies competence in the named capacity within the limitations stated on the certificate. It is needed by ratings forming part of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more. Validity: as shown on the issued document.1–3

2 What it consists of

The standard of competence is set by table A-II/4 of the Code.1,2

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. The STCW Convention sets no single revalidation interval for this certificate.1,3

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 48 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

CountryName in the issuing country
South AfricaOrdinary seafarer deckIssued by: South African Maritime Safety Authority · source
UkraineNavigational watch rating (second-class seaman)source
GeorgiaNavigational Watch RatingIssued by: Maritime Transport Agency of Georgia · source
NigeriaRATING FORMING PART OF NAVIGATIONAL WATCHRating (Forming Part of Navigational Watch)Issued by: Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency · source
EstoniaVahimadruse tunnistusNavigational Watch Rating CertificateIssued by: Transpordiamet · source

Related document

CountryName in the issuing country
IndiaCertificate of Proficiency – Navigational Watch and Engine-Room WatchIssued by: Directorate General of Maritime Administration (DGMA) · source
Show all 48 countries

Same document

CountryName in the issuing country
BulgariaNavigational Watch Ratingsource
PeruMarinero de puenteIssued by: Dirección General de Capitanías y Guardacostas · source
PhilippinesCertificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Maritime Industry Authority · source
GermanyWachbefähigung Brücke NWBNavigational watch rating (NWB)Issued by: BSH · source
FranceCertificat de matelot de quart passerelleNavigational watch rating certificateIssued by: French maritime administration · source
NetherlandsWachtlopend gezel dek alle schepenNavigational watch rating certificateIssued by: Ministerie van Infrastructuur en Waterstaat / Kiwa Register · source
PortugalCertificado de qualificação para o serviço de quartos de navegaçãoNavigational watch ratingIssued by: DGRM · source
ThailandRating forming part of a navigational watchCertificate of Proficiency – Rating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Marine Department · source
United KingdomNavigational Watch Rating Certificate of ProficiencyIssued by: Maritime and Coastguard Agency · source
GhanaDeck Watchkeeping (Navigational Watch)Issued by: Ghana Maritime Authority · source
AlgeriaCertificat d’aptitude de matelot faisant partie d’une équipe de quart à la passerelleCertificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Administration chargée de la marine marchande · source
PakistanWatchkeeping Rating Certificate – Rating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Mercantile Marine Department / Directorate General Ports and Shipping · source
NorwayCertificate of Proficiency for ratings forming part of a navigational watchRating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Norwegian Maritime Authority / Sjøfartsdirektoratet · source
LiberiaOrdinary Seaman – Watchstander EndorsementIssued by: Liberia Maritime Authority / Deputy Commissioner · source
BahamasCertificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Bahamas Maritime Authority · source
Hong KongCertificate of Proficiency for Navigational Watch RatingsIssued by: Hong Kong Marine Department · source
Japan甲板部航海当直部員Deck Watch Rating – National RecognitionIssued by: Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism · source
United StatesRatings Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: United States Coast Guard, National Maritime Center · source
Latviasardzes matrozisCertificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Maritime Administration of Latvia / Latvian Seamen’s Registry · source
MyanmarRating forming part of a navigational watchCertificate of Proficiency – Rating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Department of Marine Administration · source
ItalyComune di guardia di copertaNavigational watch ratingIssued by: Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti / maritime administration · source
SwedenLättmatrosNavigational watch ratingIssued by: Transportstyrelsen · source
FinlandVahtimies, kansiWatchkeeping rating's certificate, deckIssued by: Traficom · source
CanadaBridge Watch RatingIssued by: Transport Canada Marine Safety and Security · source
New ZealandDeck watch ratingIssued by: Maritime New Zealand · source
ArgentinaMarinero de PuenteDeck Watch RatingIssued by: Agencia Nacional de Puertos y Navegación; Prefectura Naval Argentina · source
ChileTripulante de la Guardia de NavegaciónIssued by: Dirección General del Territorio Marítimo y de Marina Mercante · source
MalaysiaRating forming part of a navigational watchCertificate of Proficiency – Rating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Malaysia Marine Department · source
Sri LankaCertificate of Proficiency – Rating forming part of a navigational watchIssued by: Merchant Shipping Secretariat / Director General of Merchant Shipping · source
ColombiaMarinero que forma parte de la guardia de navegaciónRating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Dirección General Marítima (DIMAR) · source
EcuadorMarinero de CubiertaDeck Watch RatingIssued by: Dirección Nacional de los Espacios Acuáticos (DIRNEA), Armada del Ecuador · source
GibraltarNavigational Watch-Rating CertificateIssued by: Gibraltar Maritime Administration · source
IcelandAðstoðarmaður í brúRating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Samgöngustofa · source
Sloveniačlan posadke v sestavi krovne stražeRating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Uprava Republike Slovenije za pomorstvo · source
Taiwan助理級航行當值Rating Forming Part of a Navigational WatchIssued by: Maritime and Port Bureau / Ministry of Transportation and Communications · source
UruguayMarinero de guardia en puenteDeck Watch RatingIssued by: Prefectura Nacional Naval, Dirección Registral y de Marina Mercante (DIRME) · source
VanuatuDeck Watchkeeping RatingIssued by: Vanuatu Maritime Safety Authority (VMSA); Vanuatu International Shipping Registry (VISR) · source

Related document

CountryName in the issuing country
China值班水手Certificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (值班水手)Issued by: Maritime Safety Administration, Ministry of Transport · source
DenmarkVagtholdsbevisWatchkeeping certificateIssued by: Danish Maritime Authority / Søfartsstyrelsen · source
AustraliaIntegrated Rating II/4 and III/4Issued by: Australian Maritime Safety Authority · source
BrazilMarinheiro de ConvésDeck Seafarer (MNC)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source
BrazilMoço de ConvésJunior Deck Seafarer (MOC)Issued by: Marinha do Brasil, Diretoria de Portos e Costas · source

With limitations

CountryName in the issuing country
LiberiaGeneral Purpose-2 (GP-2)General Purpose-2 (GP-2) – Watchstander Certificate or EndorsementIssued by: Liberia Maritime Authority / Deputy Commissioner · source
FijiIntegrated RatingIssued by: Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji · source

"Related document" is a national document of its own system that relates to this type but is not automatically equal to it.

Required before: Certificate of Proficiency – Able Seafarer Deck STCW II/54

7 Frequently asked questions

Who needs the Certificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch?

Ratings forming part of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more. In this reference it appears in the requirements of 1 position; whether you need it depends on the ship and your duties.1,2

How long is the Certificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch valid?

The expiry date, if the issuing system sets one, is shown on the document itself. This reference does not calculate personal expiry dates. The STCW Convention sets no single revalidation interval for this certificate.1,3

What else is the Certificate of Proficiency – Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch called?

Also known as Certificate of Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (STCW II/4), RFPNW. National names in 48 countries are listed on this page.

Watch Rating Certificate RFPNW (STCW II/4) | Rynda Crewing