Section 17(2)(ii) in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
(ii)have approved sea-going service of not less than eighteen months as part of an approved training and assessment programme which includes on-board training and meets the requirements of the Tables of competence for the certification as contained in section A-1I/2 of the STCW Code as applicable to ships engaged in Near-Coastal Voyages and is documented in an approved training record book or otherwise have approved sea-going service of not less than three years. A candidate who has performed approved sea-going service on a ship of less than 500 gross tonnage shall be assessed at two-thirds of the actual sea-going service claimed;