Skip to main content

Tell us whether you accept cookies

We use cookies to collect information about how you use this service. We use this information to make the service work as well as possible and improve this service.

Set cookie preferences

You've accepted all cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

Find apprenticeship training for your apprentice
  1. Search
  2. Course search results
Apprenticeship training course

Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3)

There are 8 training providers who offer this course. Check if a training provider can deliver this training in the apprentice's work location.

Apprentice's work location

View providers for this course

Information about Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3)

Take charge of a vessel’s safety, security and navigation during operations both at sea and when in harbour.

Knowledge, skills and behaviours
View knowledge, skills and behaviours

Knowledge

  • The importance of maintaining a watch when in harbour and when at sea.
  • The ways in which watch-keeping contributes to the safety of the vessel and all of those onboard.
  • The principles of teamwork.
  • Different vessel types and structure
  • Techniques for determining a vessel’s capability. This includes, for example, ship stresses, the impact of external forces on a vessel such as sea state, swell and wind.
  • Principles and regulations for manoeuvring a vessel in near coastal waters (An area of operation restricted to 150 miles from a safe haven on the coast of the UK and 30 miles from Ireland)
  • The different types of cargo operations
  • The range of internationally used cargo codes, their meaning and impact on operations. For example, codes indicating dangerous goods.
  • The methods for calculating tide conditions and obtaining meteorological forecasts.
  • The purpose of a passage plan and how it is created.
  • Methods for finding vessel position or other location.
  • The different types and purposes of chart work, electronic navigational aids, maritime publications and navigational tools.
  • Methods for plotting, executing and monitoring vessel progress.
  • Relevant maritime legislation and regulation, the bodies responsible and the legal consequences for transgression. This covers COSWP (Code of Safe Working Practices), IRPCS/COLREGS (International Rules for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea), class and flag state requirements, health and safety and environmental protection such as SOLAS (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea), MARPOL (the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships) and LOLER (the Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment Regulations).
  • Procedures to be followed in the event of an emergency (for example fire, flooding), and crew roles. This includes contingency plans such as the use of distress signals and evacuation procedures.
  • The international code of signals, its purpose and usage.
  • A range of verbal and written communication methods and techniques for choosing a method to fit the audience.
  • Methods for using digital platforms to access and complete reports.
  • The range of OOW stakeholders, their roles and responsibilities and how the OOW interacts with them.
  • The importance of their own organisations commercial or operational priorities.
  • How the OOW occupation fits in the wider digital landscape including the impact of automation and artificial intelligence.
  • Types of propulsion system(s), their features and uses.
  • the procedures and techniques for applying emergency first aid to others.
  • The principles for completing a ships log that accurately describes key internal/external factors that occur during a Watch.
  • Recognise signs of fatigue
  • Procedures for maintaining the security of a vessel and its contents

Skills

  • Keep watch over the vessel and crew.
  • Co-ordinate your team in order to provide constant watch cover.
  • Manoeuvre a vessel in near-coastal waters, taking account of compliance requirements, vessel type, capability, loading and external factors like tide and weather.
  • Select a mooring or anchoring solution that is relevant to the circumstances, including compliance, vessel type, capability, loading and external factors like tide and weather.
  • Avoid collisions by using chart work and situational awareness, anticipating and responding to all potential threats to a safe navigation. This includes (but is not limited to) both the physical surroundings and other vessel traffic.
  • Perform calculations and give necessary direction to your team to ensure the vessel has suitable load stability. This applies both when the vessel is moored and also when at sea.
  • Create a passage plan that meets operational objectives, is safe and complaint and has due regard to the external environment and other vessels.
  • Execute and adapt a passage plan taking account of the prevailing conditions at sea.
  • Handle a range of vessel types in near coastal waters. This may include as examples single screw, twin screw, variable pitch, Schottel and other propulsion configurations.
  • Monitor and respond to data provided by navigation and other equipment available on-board
  • Cross-compare different data sources to reach an accurate conclusion. (For example, VHF reports).
  • Support the Master in meeting the legal, regulatory, environmental, and organisational requirements of the vessel and crew.
  • Coordinate the response in the event of an emergency. Operate emergency equipment and deploy contingency plans appropriate to the situation. (This will range, for example, from recovery of a man overboard through to evacuation of the vessel).
  • Administer emergency first aid and coordinate with the coastguard in the event of a medevac if required.
  • Communicate externally deploying the international code of signals when required. This includes for example using the flag system and Morse code as appropriate to the circumstances.
  • Communicate effectively at different seniority levels of the organisation, selecting an appropriate communication method for the audience.
  • Develop working relationships with crew, officers and other impacted maritime stakeholders to support the delivery of required performance standards.
  • Recognise your own limitations and escalate decisions where appropriate to another member of the bridge team, including the Master
  • Take charge in the event of the Master's incapacitation and take suitable contingency action such as getting the vessel to shore and alerting relevant authorities.
  • Complete an accurate ship log
  • Identify skills gaps across the team and deliver coaching and mentoring to less experienced staff.
  • Identify and respond to all internal/external factors that provide for a consistent watch following a handover.
  • Check that life-saving appliances and other safety equipment is functioning and assess any remediation needed.
  • Identify the signs of crew, and one’s own, fatigue.
  • Implement own organisations security procedures, instructing the crew accordingly.

Behaviours

  • Follows safe working practices and promotes a safety culture
  • Seeks to continuously improve and develop
  • Takes ownership of work
  • Calm and effective under pressure.
  • Actively protects the marine environment from pollution.
  • Role-models own organisations equality and diversity requirements
Apprenticeship category (sector)
Transport and logistics
Qualification level
3
Equal to A level
Course duration
36 months
Maximum funding
£15,000
Maximum government funding for
apprenticeship training and assessment costs.
Job titles include
  • Landing craft master
  • Mate
  • Officer of the watch
  • Second officer

View more information about Officer of the watch (near coastal) (level 3) from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.