Adult engine cadets and engine-room personnel progressing toward officer-in-charge engineering-watch responsibility on ships of 750 kW or more.
Maritime SupportAgencyOperational-level engineering guide
Class 3: the engineering-watch route.
A practical guide to the Ghana engine-department pathway for an officer in charge of an engineering watch.
Ghana-focused working guide reviewed 22 August 2026. GMA, the issuing administration, approved institution, or medical examiner makes the official decision.
Eligibility to sit for the operational-level engineering-watch Certificate of Competency after approved education, onboard training, sea service, medical fitness, and assessment.
We can research, organise, pre-check, and coordinate. We cannot issue the certificate, declare medical fitness, guarantee eligibility, or alter an authority's decision.
Understand the route
The pathway and its requirements.
Read the branch that matches the department, capacity, and vessel limitation. Where both branches appear, they are alternatives—not a combined qualification.
01
OICEW · STCW III/1
Engine pathway
Ghana's published legacy terminology calls this Class 3 marine engineer officer: officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine room or designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine room.
- 1
Be at least 18 years old.
- 2
Complete at least 12 months qualifying seagoing service in the engine department under the published route.
- 3
Complete approved education and training of at least 30 months, including onboard training documented in an approved training record book.
- 4
Meet the operational-level competence standard, hold valid medical fitness, and pass the required examination.
02
Deck OICNW is a separate route
Important deck distinction
Do not assume 'Class 3' means the first deck-officer certificate. The GMA-published L.I. 1790 terminology calls officer in charge of a navigational watch Class 4 deck officer.
- 1
Select the deck Officer of the Watch guide if your service and training are in the deck department.
- 2
Confirm the exact certificate capacity, tonnage limit, and voyage limitation with GMA before applying.
- 3
Never mix engine sea service with deck qualifying service; each belongs to its own department.
Evidence file
What to gather for a proper pre-check.
The final list remains case-specific, but these records normally allow the route to be assessed without relying on memory or verbal assurances.
- 01Approved engine training record book with completed onboard tasks
- 02Engine-department sea-service testimonials signed by the chief engineer and endorsed by the employer
- 03Discharge book entries matching every testimonial period
- 04Approved education, workshop skills, and ancillary-course records
- 05Valid medical fitness and identity documents
- 06RMU sea-service confirmation and GMA eligibility application file
From file to decision
A responsible working sequence.
- 01
Confirm the engine route
Record vessel propulsion power, engine-room arrangement, cadet programme, and the exact department served.
- 02
Complete the record book
Ensure onboard tasks are properly supervised, signed, dated, and consistent with the vessel and sea-service period.
- 03
Verify the evidence chain
Match discharge entries, testimonials, training records, medical validity, and certificate names before submission.
- 04
Apply and sit assessment
Proceed through the official eligibility, approved training, written examination, and oral examination route.
Check before you commit
Important watchpoints.
- The 12-month figure is not a stand-alone promise of eligibility; the approved 30-month training programme and record book are part of the published route.
- Service on machinery that was not operating for substantial periods may be treated differently by the Administration.
- The certificate may carry propulsion-power or other limitations that determine the ships on which it is valid.
Official source desk
Confirm the current rule.
These links are provided so clients can distinguish MSA's explanation from the source that governs or administers the requirement.
Maritime requirements can change and may depend on certificate history, nationality, issuing administration, vessel flag, tonnage, propulsion power, voyage area, training route, medical findings, and accepted sea service. This page is educational preparation, not an eligibility letter or legal guarantee. Confirm the current requirements with the responsible authority before enrolling, paying, travelling, or relying on a deadline.
Turn the guide into your checklist
Let's review your actual evidence.
Tell us your department, current certificate, service history, and intended capacity. We will identify the questions that need official confirmation.
Request a pathway review