Latvian Maritime academy
Latvian Maritime academy
Latvian Maritime academy
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esponsibility level of senior officers or master of a ship – bachelor, Master of Science, or 2 year study<br />
programme in vocational school?<br />
So called monovalent MET system, when separate programs leading to navigator or ship engineer<br />
certificate of competency are provided, exists today in a majority of countries. Bivalent (dual-purpose<br />
officers) MET system exists today in a minority of countries.<br />
The sequence of school and sea time also differs in many countries:<br />
Sandwich or step-by-step MET system. A two-year or a three-year first step study programme,<br />
including seagoing training, leads to operational level certificate of competency. After seagoing<br />
experience a seafarer as a holder of operational level certificate of competency needs to come back to<br />
school for one or two years next step studies, leading to management level certificate of competency.<br />
Front-ended MET system. Study programme includes full theoretical training necessary for<br />
management level certificate of competency and practical training, necessary for operational level<br />
certificate of competency. After graduation no additional studies at school are needed to get management<br />
level certificate of competency, only seagoing experience and providing evidence of competence are<br />
required.<br />
Some countries follow post-experienced type MET system when practical training is going after<br />
studies.<br />
Other countries follow pre-experienced type MET system when programmes include a<br />
component of practical training before studies.<br />
Levels and content of seafarers’ competence in accordance with STCW 78 convention<br />
STCW 78 convention gives some definitions and provide clarifications regarding competency [12]:<br />
Certificate of competency means a certificate issued and endorsed for masters, officers and<br />
GMDSS radio operators in accordance with the provisions of chapters II, III, IV or VII of this annex and<br />
entitling the lawful holder thereof to serve in the capacity and perform the functions involved at the level<br />
of responsibility specified therein.<br />
Function means a group of tasks, duties and responsibilities, as specified in the STCW Code,<br />
necessary for ship operation, safety of life at sea or protection of the marine environment (Figure 1).<br />
Convention STCW 78 for both departments (Master and deck department and Engine department)<br />
sets three levels of responsibility:<br />
Support level (ratings);<br />
Operational level (officers);<br />
Management level (senior officers, master).<br />
For each level of responsibility of each department convention STCW 78 describes relevant<br />
specification of minimum standard of competence, identifying corresponding functions onboard and<br />
specified competences (tasks, duties and responsibilities).<br />
Specification of minimum standard of competence<br />
Function<br />
Function<br />
Function<br />
Function<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Competence<br />
Figure 1. Structure of specification of minimum standard of seafarers’ competence<br />
Functions specified for master and deck department officers are:<br />
Navigation at the management level;<br />
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