Monday, January 18, 2010

Requirements of Malaysian Certificate of Competency


If you have decided to be a seafarer and you like to travel all over the world, you might want to know the requirements for having Malaysian Certificate of Competency. Travelling all over the world on a merchant ship while getting paid thousand of Ringgit or Dollar is really sounds interesting. And for you to achieve this you will need at least a CoC with grade of Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch of 500GT or more Unlimited Trade Voyage (WKO-Unlimited) or Officer in charge of Engineering Watch of 750kW or more Unlimited Trade Voyage (WKE-Unlimited). The other option is by getting Watch Keeping Rating for Deck (WKR-Deck) or Watch Keeping Rating for Engine (WKR-Engine) but less salary lor.

Let me start by discussing the subjects of WKO-Unlimited and WKE-Unlimited here, for the rest of
CoC’s grade will be discuss later.

Normally after you finish your SPM with good results especially in Maths and Science, depending on the requirements set by Maritime Training Institution, make yourself busy by surfing the website below;

ALAM - http://www.alam.edu.my/ (DNS and DME)
PUO - http://www.puo.edu.my/ (DME only)
SMA - http://www.smaswak.com.my/ (DNS and DME)

These Institution offer courses in ‘Diploma in Nautical Studies (DNS)’ and ‘Diploma in Marine Engineering (DME)’. DNS will later qualify you to WKO-UL and DME to WKE-UL.

You can always call the training provider asking about the Course Fee and duration of training program. After you enrolled in that course, you should not worry much for everything has already prepared and planned for you. What you should worry is how you can secure a seat in that institution!!! Money is the big issue here… previously, some student manage to get a scholarship from the state government, government loan or sponsored by particulars shipping company.

Nowadays it is popular and common to be sponsor by shipping company like MISC, Bumi Armada, etc… As for to-date 2010, it is estimated by the IMO that the shipping industry are shortage of 30,000 seafarers worldwide. Imagine that you are holding WKO-UL or WKE-UL, at least you can reduce the statistic and contribute to the nation, what most beneficial that you can easily get job anywhere in the world, and do you know why? It is because that the Malaysian CoC that you are holding is recognized by many countries which are the members of International Maritime Organization (IMO). Currently Malaysia have sign Memorandum of Undertaking (MOU) with 31 countries.


Here is what you should remember;

1. Enrolled in the DNS or DME course and complete your training and pass all written examination (3 year studies).

2. After you got your Diploma, apply for oral examination. Oral exam is conducted by the Marine Department’s Examiner and you can choose location of exam during application.

3. After you have completed and successfully pass the exams at (1) and (2), make an application of Certificate of Competency and submit to Marine Department port office.

Some students made mistake by assuming that the CoC will be issued right after oral examination without making any application. You need to pay the necessary ‘application fee’ for oral exam and CoC, so do not forget to apply for one.


Here is the checklist that you should keep-in-mind during application of Certificate of Competency. Since year 2009 Marine Department has already upgraded their system so called ‘Seafarer Documentation System’ by allowing user to apply online, you may surf at this address http://www.marine.gov.my . Remember, you might be requested to shows these documents (below) as an evidence when you are attending at the port office to pay the application fee.


Requirements for Officer in Charge of Navigational Watch of 500GT or more Unlimited Trade Voyage (WKO-Unlimited)

1. Seafarer Identification Document (seaman card)
2. Diploma in Nautical Studies
3. Confirmation Letter from Institution saying you have passed the written examination
4. Letter from Marine Department saying you have passed the Oral Examination
5. Medical examination certificate
6. General Operator Certificate
7. Efficiency in Survival Craft Certificate
8. Advance Fire Fighting Certificate
9. Medical First Aid Certificate
10. Radar Observer Certificate
11. ARPA Certificate
12. Electronic Navigational Aids Certificate
13. Bridge Watchkeeping Certificate (Issued by Master of the ship during cadet on board ship)
14. Discharge Book (evidence showing 12 months sea time as Deck Cadet)


Requirements for Officer in charge of Engineering Watch of 750kW or more Unlimited Trade Voyage (WKE-Unlimited)

1. Seafarer Identification Document (seaman card)
2. Diploma in Marine Engineering
3. Confirmation Letter from Institution saying you have passed the written examination
4. Letter from Marine Department saying you have passed the Oral Examination
5. Advance Fire Fighting Certificate
6. Efficiency in Survival Craft Certificate
7. Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities Certificate
8. Medical First Aid Certificate
9. Discharge Book (evidence showing 6 months sea time as Engine Cadet).


Most of the certificate above is already included in the course program, and will be issued once you have undergone training and exam. During your training as cadet, make sure to complete the Training Book for Cadet because during the oral examination the examiner might ask question pertaining your duties onboard ship.


That is it for now on
Certificate of Competency, hopefully you might have some ideas on how to go about it.

Lastly, IMO have launched a theme for this year World Maritime Day “2010-Year of the Seafarer”.

15 comments:

  1. please conform it is possible for pakistanies to get malaysian wko coc

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have done 36 month sea service as deck cadet. I m a Bangladeshi. Can i give class-3 exam in Malaysia. Total how much will be the cost?

    ReplyDelete
  3. Dear sir, I am from Bangladesh I have been completed 2years pre sea training and 1 year on board training is it possible for me to attend coc exam and courses in Malaysia. what will be the total cost kindly inform..........

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Bondage,
      Basically you are eligible... other than that, you need ALAM to tell you, call them.

      Delete
  4. I am a Ex Leading Seaman of Bangladesh Navy. My sea service is 7 years 11 month 15 days. May i apply for COC and how?

    ReplyDelete
  5. I am from bangladesh.i have completed my HND in marine engineering 2years and 1year sea service as engine cadet with panama CDC.may i prosible to get malaysian COC?

    ReplyDelete
  6. I have finished Officer in charge of an engineering watch above 750Kw and more specified in AIII/I of the STCW code from Maldives national university. the course is approved by the transport authority of the ministry of transport and communication of the Maldives.
    i have a maldivian CDC with 12 months sea service as a engine cadet and 16 months as a oiler.
    Can I apply for Malaysian COC

    ReplyDelete
  7. Dear Md Meraz - You need COC issued by your country not Malaysia.

    Dear ahmed chy - get your WKE from Bangladesh, then you may attend Combine C/E&2nd COC course in Malaysia.

    Malaysian COC will only be issued to candidates who attended COC courses from Malaysian MET institution, pas written & oral examination, completed approved cadet seatime by Malaysian Marine Department. Others than that, the answer is NO.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Dear Admin, Im a Malaysian. Sailing outside of Malaysia. Able bodied seaman. Already have watchkeeping rating certificate. Planning to further studies soon when my sea time is 36 months. Am I eligible to attend Wko 500gt unlimited course in Alam when i dont have a diploma in nautical studies but enough sea time? Or do i have to work my way up from wko near coastal to combine chief mate and master near coastal then to wko 500gt unlimited?

    ReplyDelete
  9. Dear Admin, Im a Malaysian. Sailing in offshore vessel..as Oiler. Already have watchkeeping rating certificate. Planning to further studies soon when my sea time is 36 months. Am I eligible to attend Wke unlimited course in Alam when i dont have a diploma in marine engineering but enough sea time? Or do i have to work my way up from wko near coastal,any specific requirement to qualified to take wke unlimited from rating?

    ReplyDelete
  10. Good day admin how can I get someone living abroad get letter of eligibility from malaysia marine department

    ReplyDelete
  11. is that online course available during this covid pendemic... im working as a marine fire safety technician..
    servicing / inspection / refilling, of

    LSA & FFA

    I would like to upgrade myself into marine field,which working at ship as a third officer deck level..

    I've done
    diploma in information office administration..

    what should i do, to be a part on ship officer..

    my name is Navin

    tq.

    ReplyDelete
  12. EO with 60 month experience possible to get coc of 3rd mate . If yes then how to go for it ?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, if you have 60 months of seatimes you still need to attend the COC course from the approved Maritime Training Institute before you the government grant you a COC.

      Delete

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