Course Information
A Certificate III in Coastal Maritime Operations entitles the holder to be in charge of a commercial trading vessel (Master 5) or commercial fishing vessel (Skipper 3) of less than 24 metres in length up to offshore limits, or second in command of a vessel less than 80 metres in length to inshore limits.
The programme contains competencies that can be undertaken separately, however, all specified competencies must be successfully completed to gain the Master 5 or Skipper 3 Certificate of Competency.
Learner Profile
This qualification is intended for people who have experience working as a deckhand on a vessel and meet the regulatory authorities sea time requirements. Learners come with wide ranging levels of experience in the maritime industry. Some are mature age with extensive time working in the industry and others are younger with experience.
Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency candidates must have 30 months seatime verified by the maritime regulatory authority.
This course leads to the awarding of a Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency by the maritime regulatory authority, which provides a career progression from deckhand level to a command position on a vessel.
This qualification requires a good command of spoken English, the capacity to read and interpret operational documentation and the ability to write at the level needed to competently record vessel operations. A basic level of mathematics is recommended.
This qualification requires the learner to have basic small vessel equipment operational skills including electronic navigational equipment.
Training Programme
The Master 5 course is delivered over a period of six weeks. Elements of Shipboard Safety course delivered over five days. Marine Radio course delivered over three days.
Generally a Marine Radio course (1 unit) and Elements of Shipboard Safety course (4 units) are timetabled preceding the Master 5 course (17 units).
As Marine Radio and Elements of Shipboard Safety certificates are prerequisite to a qualification issued by the maritime regulatory authority this timetabling enables Master 5 candidates to obtain these certificates, if they do not hold them already, before the Master 5 course commences.
Master 5 course structured as follows:
- Coastal Navigation - 10 days
- Radar - 5 days
- Nautical Knowledge - 6 days
- Ship Knowledge - 6 days
- Vessel Handling and examinations - 3 days
Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency candidates must have 30 months seatime verified by the maritime regulatory authority and:
- be 18 years of age
- possess a medical declaration
- produce character and sobriety testimonials
- meet the eyesight standards
- have not less than 30 months qualifying service which shall include within the last five years, not less than 12 months service on vessels of less than 35 metres in length as well as having spent three months on a trading vessel
- have satisfactorily completed the Elements of Shipboard Safety (ESS)
- hold a Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency
- hold a Senior First Aid Certificate
- have paid the appropriate fee to the relevant maritime authority
Pre-requisites:
- Elements of Shipboard Safety (Senior First Aid; Survival & Fire)
- Marine Radio Operator's Certificate of Proficiency
Other details:
- Total course cost of $1580.00 includes exam fees and learning guides
- River Murray course cost is $835.00
Individual course costs are available from AMFA Administration staff.
Units of Competency |
National Code |
Unit Description |
TDMMA1107B |
Maintain the stability of a vessel using basic information |
TDMMB707B |
Slip vessel and maintain hull |
TDMMB4507A |
Monitor condition and seaworthiness of a small vessel up to 24 metres |
TDMMB4707A |
Perform routine remedial, preventative and survey deck maintenance on a vessel less than 80 metres |
TDMMC807B |
Manoeuvre a vessel within the limits of responsibility of a Master 5 |
TDMME1107A |
Contribute to effective communication and teamwork on a coastal vessel |
TDMMF3207C |
Apply domestic regulations and industry practices when operating a small coastal vessel |
TDMMF4707B |
Contribute to maintaining a safe watch on a domestic vessel |
TDMMH807B |
Plan and navigate an offshore passage within the limits of responsibility of a Master 5 |
TDMMH1107B |
Use radar and other electronic navigational aids to maintain safe navigation within the limits of responsibility of a Master 5 |
TDMMH1307B |
Apply weather information when navigating a small vessel within the limits of responsibility of a Master 5 |
TDMMR107B |
Operate and maintain steering gear arrangements |
TDMMR307B |
Operate fuel, fresh and sea water, bilge and fire pumping systems installed in a vessel |
TDMMR1807B |
Operate deck machinery installed on a small vessel of less than 750kW propulsion power |
TDMMR5407B |
Carry out refuelling and fuel transfer operations |
TDMMR5507B |
Perform seamanship, rigging and lifting operations on board a small domestic vessel |
TDMMU507B |
Ensure compliance with environmental considerations in a small domestic vessel |
TDMMF1007B |
Provide elementary first aid |
TDMMF1107B |
Survive at sea in the event of vessel abandonment |
TDMMF5407A |
Observe safety & emergency procedures on a coastal vessel |
TDMMF5507A |
Fight & extinguish fires on board a coastal vessel |
TDMME507B |
Transmit & receive information by marine radio or telephone |
For those students who would like more information about this course, please contact AMFA. Students can also visit the Marine Careers section of the Department of Planning, Transport and Infrastructure website here. 
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