In accordance with the National Law 2012 and the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D (Crew Competencies), there are 3 grades of Coxswain Certificates of Competency. These grades are known as Coxswain NC3,  NC2 and Coxswain NC1.  (NC = Near Coastal – NC3 is the lower grade and NC1 the higher grade).

At All Hands on Deck Maritime Training we firmly believe that we need to be innovative in our approach to training and assessment in order to give each candidate various opportunities to obtain their Coxswain marine qualification based on their individual knowledge and circumstances, regardless of where they live or work. Therefore it is possible to obtain your coxswain Ticket by completing some pre study activities online and then finalising the course with the Practical session using our own training vessel or in your own State.  Please call 0412201767 to find out how this can be done.

Types of Coxswain Marine Certificate and where they apply.

Coxswain NC1 Certificate

The Coxswain NC1 course is for all persons who wish to be command a commercial vessel (Fishing Charter vessel – Water Taxi – Passenger Ferry/Cruise Boat etc) up to 12 metres in length, operating 15 nautical miles to sea, with a inboard engine capacity of <500 kW (670hp), or unlimited outboard engine capacity, and carrying passengers. For more Coxswain NC1 information please Click Here

Applicants for the Coxswain NC1 marine qualification CAN use 100% of recreational boating experience as evidence towards obtaining this certificate. The amount of boating experience required varies depending on whether a task book is completed or not.

For a Coxswain NC1 certificate one hundred and fifty (150) days of boating experience is required which can be on a commercial and/or recreational vessel without a task book. This can be reduced to thirty (30) days sea service on commercial vessels with a completed AMSA task book. Sea Service is also recorded on AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service.

Coxswain NC2 Certificate

The Coxswain NC2 Certificate and will allow you to be in command of a vessel under 12 metres in length, which allows for carrying passengers and has an inboard engine capacity of <100 kW (120hp) or unlimited outboard engine capacity in smooth or sheltered waters, or within 3nm of a parent vessel in the EEZ or within 5nm from the shore base or aquaculture lease. (Examples may be Survey or Research vessels, vessels conducting mooring servicing, Pilot vessel, Lines Boats, vessels operated by Maritime authorities such as Boating Service Officer (BSO) vessels, Police vessels, Customs and Fisheries patrol vessels, commercial divers, Surf Club and/or Sailing club vessels etc. For more Coxswain NC2 information please Click Here

Applicants for the Coxswain NC2 marine qualification CAN use 100% of recreational boating experience as evidence towards obtaining this certificate. The amount of boating experience required varies depending on whether a task book is completed or not.

For a Coxswain NC2 certificate fifty (50) days of boating experience is required (this can be 100% recreational boat experience) however this can be reduced to just ten (10) days of boating experience with a completed AMSA task book. Sea Service is also recorded on AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service.

Coxswain NC3 Certificate

To obtain the Coxswain NC3 can be acheived by way of different methods.  With a limit of 1 nm to sea requires the holder to also possess a recreational boat licence and 1 day of sea service on a commercial vessel.  The easier process to obtain the certificate with a limit of 3nm to sea requires the completion of the 3 Units of Competency from the MAR Maritime Training Package as shown below: 

1. MARI003: Comply with regulations to ensure safe operation of a vessel up to 12 metres;

2. MARK007: Handel a vessel up to 12 metres;

3. MARN008: apply seamanship skills aboard a vessel up to 12 metres;

To see details of where the Coxswain NC3 certificate applies and the conditions of use please Click Here or call us at 0412201767

Did you know there are over 27,000 domestic commercial vessels in Australia with over 66,000 crew working on these vessels. A recent survey revealed that over 75% of companies are having difficulty finding qualified crew! (Source: Working Boats issue 14). 

The areas of knowledge required of a Coxswain include:

• Vessel Survey Categories and areas of operation
• Safety Management Systems
• Manoeuvering a vessel
• Anchoring
• Fight & Extinguish Fires
• Survival at Sea
• Splicing, Knots, Hitches and Seamanship Skills
• Marine Radio operation
• Basic Meteorology and Tidal knowledge
• Basic Vessel Stability
• Coastal Navigation
• International Collision Regulations including IALA Buoyage systems
• Operating Deck Equipment (Lifting Gear and Anchor winches)
• Environmental Regulations
• Knowledge of Marine Engines
• Fuel, Cooling, Fire, Bilge and Deck Wash Pumping Systems
• Knowledge of Engine Start Up & Shut Down procedures
• Knowledge of Low Voltage Electrical systems

To understand the depth of knowledge required of a Coxswain (NC2) and Coxswain (NC1) please download this document.

What do I need to do to obtain a Coxswain’s Ticket?

This is probably one of the most common questions we receive. If you found us on the internet then you most likely have that ability to use a computer. That being the case obtaining your Coxswain’s Ticket is an easy 5 step process.

1. Complete the Coxswain course initial enrolment and complete online activities and assignments based of the level of knowledge required for the Coxswain certificate that is being applied for. (including the Marine Radio and Coastal navigation components if required). We estimate this component will take approximately 30-35 hours of self study for NC1 and NC2 and approximately 15 hours for EX38. This stage can be completed anywhere online. (We currently have students studying overseas)
2. Complete a pre course project based on what you have learnt from the online assignments. We estimate this can be completed in aproximately 5 hours.
3. Complete a final course assessment – 1 and 1/2 hours allowed
4. Attend the Coxswain 2 day practical training and assessment for Fire, Survival, Boat Handling and Seamanship activities. On successful completion receive your course certificate and AMPA – (AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment – Note: We do not charge for th AMPA)
5. On successful completion of the Coxswain course submit your application to AMSA. Providing evidence of sea service (this can include up to 100% of recreational boating experience). Sea service (boating experience) can be stated in a letter format (click here for a sample template) or on a Statutory Declaration and accompanied by AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service.    Submit your application (including your 1st Aid Certificate if required)

Our courses are designed for candidates who wish to complete the course in a reasonable time frame suited to individual work and personal situations rather than taking months of part time college attendance. We use the internet for initial training and in addition we have our own training vessel, in commercial 2C survey for up to 30 nautical miles to sea, and therefore we conduct the Coxswain Course in 2 parts:

1. The Initial Enrolment – this involves downloading training resources and completing a number of online assignments. The hours of study can vary and is dependent on your current individual level of knowledge of the maritime environment. No face to face attendance is required at this time however our trainers are available 7 days a week for assistance and questions. 
2. The Final Practical Session (Practical Sessions are held every month all year round). The 2 practical training days are Friday, Saturday each month and are currently designed to maximise social distancing on board the vessel as well as to minimise the time required to be away from home or work. If you have already completed the Fire, Survival, W H &S, and Seamanship (Anchoring, Splicing, Knots, Hitches etc) components from the General Purpose Hand (GPH) course then the practical course may be reduced by 1 day. 

Prior to submitting a Coxswain application to AMSA candidates need to provide evidence of boating experience. This CAN include 100% of recreational and yachting boating experience and will be assessed on an individual basis depending on where the experience was obtained and on what size and type of vessel. Sea Service should be recorded on  AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service as well as on a Statutory Declaration.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and

Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC)

If you have prior commercial boating experience or certificates/qualifications you may be eligible for a reduction in costs and/or training. To download an application form please Click Here or Complete our Skills Recognition Form. To download the form please Click Here

1st Aid Certificate (HLTAID011 Provide First Aid)

Candidates must be in possession of a current 1st Aid Certificate. It is not necessary to have a 1st Aid Certificate prior to commencing the course however a copy must be provided as soon as possible after the completion of the course before the Coxswain Course Certificate can be issued. The current 1st Aid Certificate to obtain is: HLTAID011 Provide First Aid