Conversion of USL Skipper Grade 2 to Master Class 4 for Trading ...

GUIDANCE NOTE NO: 95/2002 REVISION NO: 2Conversion of USL Skipper Grade 2 to MasterClass 4 for Trading OperationsThis guidance note details requirements for applicants possessing an unrestricted Certificateof Competency as Skipper Grade 2 who wish to obtain a Master Class 4 qualification for theoperation of trading vessels within the same limits.A Certificate of Competency as Master Class 4 will be issued for trading operations after theapplicant has:1. submitted an application form;2. provided proof of identification;3. satisfied the seatime prerequisite;4. passed the examinations;5. satisfactorily passed an eyesight test with an optometrist. Note: Eyesight tests arevalid for 2 years;6. provided a copy of a valid Shipboard Safety course certificate;Please note:(a)(b)(c)(d)That the fire-fighting and sea survival elements of a Shipboard Safety coursemust have been completed within the 5 years prior to the issue of a seafarers’first Certificate of Competency.If a Shipboard Safety Certificate is more than 10 years old, Seafarers must resitthe Fire-fighting and Sea survival elements prior to the issue of a new Certificateof Competency. (this is not applicable for replacement certificates).For the issue of the second or third etc. Certificate of Competency, if a ShipboardSafety Certificate is between 5 and 10 years old, the Marine Safety Branch willdetermine the validity of the Fire-fighting element.Exemptions may only be granted if the training/experience has been obtainedwithin the 5 years prior to the issue of the first Certificate of Competency.Exemptions are valid for a maximum of 5 years.7. provided a copy of a valid Senior First-aid certificate;8. satisfactorily passed a medical examination with a medical practitioner.9. paid fees (application fee and fee for the issue of the certificate) as per Marine SafetyBranch Schedule of Fees. Note: An examination fee is payable to the relevantexaminer.10. Provide two colour passport photographs.Note: Both the eyesight test and medical forms can be obtained from this office. Completedforms must be returned to this office.www.transport.nt.gov.au Pg 1

Seatime requirementWritten verification of 18 months of approved watchkeeping service since obtaining theSkipper Grade 3 Certificate of Competency.Note: Approved watchkeeping service shall have regard to the following criteria:• 12 months of watchkeeping service in the last 5 years;• 6 months of watchkeeping service on trading vessels; and• 6 months of watchkeeping service on vessels under 80 metres in length.Approved sea service for Master Class 4 includes:• Watchkeeping service on vessels over 12 metres where the service is asMaster of the vessel. Service on vessels of less than 18 metres in length shallbe allowed to a maximum of 50% of total service required.• Watchkeeping service on vessels over 24 metres where the service is as aMate.Watchkeeping service means that during the whole of the period claimed the candidate musthave been in full charge of a navigation watch for not less than 8 hours per day.Where a navigation watch is maintained by 2 officers, the junior officer may count thewatchkeeping service performed at two-thirds rate to a maximum of one-half of the qualifyingwatchkeeping service required for any certificate.Watchkeeping service on non-seagoing vessels may be approved by the Authority but in nocircumstances will count for more than half of the qualifying watchkeeping service.Sea service performed on Class 3 vessels (including fishing support vessels) will be assessedas approved sea service towards a Skipper (fishing) Certificate of Competency.Sea service performed on Class 2 vessels will be assessed as approved sea service towardsa Master (trading) Certificate of Competency.Living aboard vessels such as accommodation barges and ships not under way or at anchorfor extended periods shall not be counted unless the applicant can prove to the authority thevessels were sea-going during the period claimed and navigation watches performed.A statement from the owners of the vessel(s) must substantiate documentary evidenceprovided in the form of a signed record of service booklet.www.transport.nt.gov.au Pg 2

Examination - Written Paper - 2 hours• amplitude, azimuth, days work, stability, cargo work and trading vessel practices.VALIDITY OF EXAMINATION RESULTSNote: The pass in the written examination is valid for five (5) years only. If you have notcompleted the requirements for the issue of the certificate within the validity date you may berequired to re-sit the examination.Signed by: Sri SrinivasDate Issued: 6 June 2003For further information contact Marine Safety Branch:2nd Floor, Energy House, 18-20 Cavenagh, Darwin NT 0800, GPO Box 2520, Darwin NT 0801Telephone: 08 8924 7100, Facsimile: 08 8924 7009Email: marinesafety@nt.gov.auDisclaimer : While care is taken to ensure that information contained in NT Government publications is true and correct at thetime of the publication, this information is provided on the basis that users undertake responsibility for assessing therelevance, accuracy and currency of its content. The Northern Territory of Australia gives no warranty or assurance andmakes no representation, express or implied, as to the accuracy of this information or that it is suitable for your intended use.To the maximum extent permitted by law, each user waives and releases the Territory from any and all claims relating to theuse of this information and in no event shall the Territory of Australia be liable for loss or damage arising directly or indirectlyfrom the use of or reliance on it for whatever purpose.www.transport.nt.gov.au Pg 3