Section 20 in The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998
20. Minimum requirements for certification of ratings forming part of a navigational watch. - (1) Every rating forming part of a navigational watch on a sea-going ship of 500 gross tonnage or more, other than ratings under training and ratings whose duties while on watch are of an unskilled nature. shall be duly certificated by the Chief Examiner concerned to perform such duties.
(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 completed -(a)approved sea-going service for a period of not less than nine months: or(b)approved pre-sea training or special training for a period of ninety days and approved sea-going service for a period of not less than six months; and(iii)meets the standard of competence as specified in section A-11/4 of the STCW Code.(3)The sea-going service. training and experience as required by clause (ii) of sub-rule (2) shall be associated with navigational watch keeping functions and shall also involve the performance of duties carried out on board the ship under the direct supervision of the Master or the officer in charge of the navigational watch or a certified rating duly documented in an approved rating training record book(4)Rating who has served in a relevant capacity in the Deck Department for a period of not less than one year within the last five years preceding the 1st day of August, 1998 shall be eligible for assessment by the assessment centre.
