Section 17(2) in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
(2)Every candidate for the certification shall.(i)be not less than 18 years of age on the last date prescribed for receipt of application;(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;(iii)have performed, bridge watch-keeping duties for a period of not less than six months during the required sea-going service under the supervision of the Master or an officer of the Deck Department holding a certificate of competency under rule 5;(iv)meet the requirements of rule 29 for performing designated radio duties; and(v)have completed approved education, training, examination and assessment and meet the standard for competence as specified in the approved training and assessment programme.
