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Experienced Able Seafarers Deck (AB) and Bosuns who have accumulated substantial sea time forming part of a navigational watch can qualify for an Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency under STCW Regulation II/1 without starting a full four-year maritime degree. The route — known variously as an upgrading, bridging, or top-up programme — is available in numerous flag states and at maritime training centres across the world. The typical pathway runs 3–5 years from first going to sea as a rating: 36 months of verifiable navigational-watch sea time, a 6–12 month bridging college programme, and flag-state written and oral examinations. STCW sets the international floor; the issuing flag state can add national requirements, so always verify with the issuing administration. See also the cadet-to-OOW page for the conventional academy route and the career pathways reference.
The OOW CoC requires the same set of mandatory minimum competencies under STCW Table A-II/1 regardless of whether the candidate came via cadetship or rating sea time. Certificates required:
STCW Regulation II/1.2 provides two pathways to the OOW sea-time requirement:
The UK MCA's OOW (Unlimited) conversion route accepts candidates with 36 months of qualifying watch-keeping sea time as a rating. Warsash (Southampton Solent University), City of Glasgow College, and other MCA-approved centres deliver 6–10 month bridging programmes covering navigation, meteorology, stability, cargo, and STCW subjects. Completion leads to the MCA oral examination with an MCA-appointed examiner. Flag-state-specific — verify with gov.uk/MCA.
Netherlands Maritiem Instituut and affiliated centres offer OOW upgrading programmes for experienced ratings. Dutch ILT (Inspectie Leefomgeving en Transport) is the competent authority. The route is widely used by European flag-holders and third-country seafarers with a Dutch flag vessel background. Flag-state-specific — verify with ilent.nl.
Kongsberg Maritime Academy (KMA) and Høgskulen på Vestlandet (HVL) run upgrading programmes for ratings holding Norwegian or foreign sea service. The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA / Sjøfartsdirektoratet) certifies the programmes. Relevant for candidates targeting Norwegian International Ship Register (NIS) or Norsk Ordinært Skipsregister (NOR) flag certification. Flag-state-specific — verify with sdir.no.
MARINA-accredited Maritime Higher Education Institutions (MHEIs) offer OOW upgrading programmes for ratings. The Philippine MARINA requires passing the Licensure Examination for Officers of Vessel (LEOV) after completing the bridging programme and sea-time requirements. Flag-state-specific — verify with marina.gov.ph.
DG Shipping recognises sea service as a rating for conversion to Class IV OOW CoC. Approved maritime institutions deliver pre-sea and upgrading programmes. Phase 2 and Phase 3 (oral) examinations are administered by MMD (Mercantile Marine Department) examiners. Flag-state-specific — verify with dgshipping.gov.in.
A newly certificated OOW on a dry-cargo or bulk carrier typically earns USD 2,800–4,200 per month — roughly 60–90% above the AB rate for the same vessel type. On tankers with oil or chemical endorsements the range rises to USD 3,500–5,500. Full data by vessel type is in the salary database.
After the OOW certificate, the next step is 12 months of sea service as OOW (post-CoC) to qualify for the Chief Mate Certificate of Competency (STCW II/2). See the full deck officer pathway for the Chief Mate and Master stages. Branching options at OOW level include: tanker endorsements, Dynamic Positioning Operator (DPO) for offshore vessels, and offshore DP careers.
Yes. STCW Regulation II/1.2 provides that 36 months of sea service forming part of a navigational watch qualifies a candidate to sit for OOW certification, in lieu of the 12-month structured cadetship sea time. Most flag states — including the UK MCA, MARINA Philippines, and DG Shipping India — have specific AB-to-OOW conversion or top-up routes that formally recognise rating sea time. The sea service must be documented in a discharge book or equivalent official record.
A bridging programme (sometimes called a top-up, conversion or upgrading course) is a structured college phase — typically 6–12 months — designed for candidates who already hold substantial rating sea time and STCW basic certificates. The programme covers the academic and simulator training required for OOW (STCW II/1) without repeating subjects the rating already knows from sea experience. On completion, candidates sit the same flag-state oral and written examinations as cadetship graduates.
The personal survival techniques (PST) and fire-fighting (FPFF) modules of BST require a refresher every five years. Elementary first aid (EFA) and personal safety and social responsibilities (PSSR) are one-time certifications. If your existing BST was obtained more than five years ago, you will need PST and FPFF refresher modules before applying for an OOW CoC in most flag states.
The STCW certificate route is identical — both AB and Bosun hold ratings under STCW II/4 or II/5, and both enter the OOW pathway via sea-time recognition and a bridging programme. A Bosun's additional management experience and deck knowledge is valued by employers and may ease the transition to watchkeeping duties, but it does not shorten the STCW-mandated sea time or examination requirements. Some flag states allow recognition of additional seamanship competencies accumulated as Bosun.
Typically 3–5 years in total from first going to sea as a rating. If you have 36 months of qualifying sea service documented, the remaining requirement is the bridging college phase (6–12 months) plus flag-state examinations. The bottleneck is usually accumulating 36 months of verifiable navigational-watch sea time and finding an available place on a recognised bridging programme.
Flag-state caveat: STCW sets the international floor. Individual flag administrations may require additional national examinations, longer sea-time periods, or supplementary courses not listed here — including enhanced English language testing and medical standards. Always verify current requirements with the issuing flag-state administration before enrolling in a programme.
This page is for information only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Requirements change — verify with your flag administration before acting.