WHAT IS IT?
The Deck Officer course is aimed at crew members of merchant and passenger ships, with the exception of fishing vessels.
passenger ships, with the exception of fishing vessels.
The main function of a Deck Seaman is, apart from performing normal seafaring duties on a ship, to assist the Officer of the Watch on a watch.
The main function of a Deck Officer is, apart from performing normal seafaring duties on a ship, to assist the Officer of the Watch on a navigational watch.
His mission is of great importance as he is the crewman who detects by sight and smell the dangers encountered by the ship.
He is the crew member who detects by sight and smell the dangers encountered by the ship, such as: stones, floating objects,
another ship coming into collision and he can also detect shipwrecked people.
The deckhand’s duties are essential and of great importance for the proper functioning of the ship.
The deckhand assists the Officer of the Navigating Watch and any other duties that need to be performed on the ship.
Some of their tasks are:
- Support in navigational tasks.
- Participate in all the ship’s manoeuvring operations: docking, undocking and anchoring.
- Managing emergencies.
- Loading and unloading operations.
- Order and cleanliness of the ship
- Collaborate in all material and tool handling tasks that do not require specialised training.
- Monitor the boat and navigation and check the depth of the water in shallow areas.
- Use various equipment on the boat (loading and unloading equipment, hooks and ropes, anchors, pumps, hoses, etc.).
- Carry out minor repairs, rust and paint removal on the boat and contribute to general maintenance and repair operations on board
- Perform rope and cable operations.
- Use emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures.
REQUIREMENTS TO TAKE THE DECK OFFICER COURSE
1. Be a national of a European Community country.
2.Be 16 years old
3.Have the Basic Maritime Safety Training.
4.Pass the ISM medical examination.
HOW THE COURSE IS
The course is 100% classroom-based and lasts 70 hours:
– 45 hours of theory
– 25 hours of practice
At the end of the course there is a multiple-choice test. There is also a practical part which
has a final evaluation. Once you have passed both of them, you will obtain a certificate of
STCW specialty certificate issued by the Dirección General de la Marina Mercante. Technically it is called: Certificado de Suficiencia de Marinero de Puente.
In order to be able to issue the certificate and become a Deck Seaman, the following must be accredited
a few months of professional service as a deck officer.
This experience must be on board national or international civilian vessels of a tonnage of more than 10 GT.
The minimum embarkation time will be:
Two months if we have done the Bridge Seaman course.
Six months doing navigational watchkeeping duties if we previously have a Seaman’s certificate.
The Bridge Seaman Certificate of Proficiency can give us two different attributions
different.
– You can form part of the navigational watch on merchant ships of a gross tonnage of
500 GRT or more, with the exception of fishing vessels.
– By accrediting a 6-month period of embarkation as a Deck Seaman, you can
have command of a commercial vessel of less than 10 m in length (with adequate power).
length (with adequate power), having no more than 12 passengers and operating exclusively in inland waters.
