In accordance with the National Law 2012 and the National Standards for Commercial Vessels (NSCV) Part D (Crew Competencies), there are 2 grades of Coxswain Certificates of Competency and Exemption 38. These grades are known as Coxswain NC2 and Coxswain NC1.  (NC = Near Coastal – NC2 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 use this link 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 in 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 engine capacity of <500 kW (670hp), or unlimited outboard engine capacity, and carrying passengers. A Coxswain NC1 can also perform duty as Mate/Watchkeeper on vessels <24 metres.  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 two hundred and forty (240) 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. To obtain and AMSA Task Book please Click Here. 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 does NOT carry 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 sixty (60) days of boating experience is required (this can be 100% recreational boat experience) however this can be reduced to just seven (7) days (approx. 52.5 hrs) of boating experience with a completed AMSA task book. To obtain an AMSA Task Book please Click Here. Sea Service is also recorded on AMSA Form 771 Record of Sea Service.

 Marine Safety (Low Complexity Duties) Exemption38

AMSA ammended the requirements regarding holding a full Coxswain qualification by introducing the Marine Safety (Low Complexity Duties) Exemption (commonly known as Exemption 38). This exemption does not require any sea time. It only requires a demonstration of competency for 3 units.  To see details of where the 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 written 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)
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 (HLTAID003 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: HLTAID003 Provide First Aid

Are your ready for the AMSA ‘final assessment’?. This is the final and most important part of the whole process. You need to be able to demonstrate to the AMSA Examiner that you have the skills, experience and knowledge to operate a commercial vessel.

To assist you in preparing for the ‘final assessment’ we have developed some Trial Assessments. You can test your knowledge on these trial assessments and we will give you feed back on whether you are ready or may require a little extra study.

Coxswain Online Exam Questions Information

All Hands on Deck Maritime Training have been conducting Coxswain courses since 2004. In that time we have achieved a very successful record of candidates obtaining their Coxswain Certificate on the 1st attempt. One of the reasons for this is that we provide unlimited access to our bank of over 650 examination questions so that candidates can stay fresh with their knowledge and be well prepared for the final AMSA assessment.

We do realise, however, that not everyone can get to our courses so we have made the examination questions available online to everyone.

The questions are in 2 seperate catergories:
Category 1 includes the following:

• Seamanship and rope handling
• Splicing, knots and hitches
• Vessel handling
• Fire Fighting
• Survival at Sea
• Emergency Procedures
• Meteorology
• Tides & Currents
• Collision and Domestic Regulations and more!

Category 2 includes the following:

• How Marine Diesel Engines work
• Operating Diesel Engines
• Operating Outboard Engines
• Gearboxes and shaftings
• Refuelling and Fuel Storage
• Hydraulic systems & Steerage gear
• Bilge pumping and Deck wash systems
• DC Batteries & AC Generators
• Slipway work and maintenance
• Deck Machinery and more!

Both categories can be purchased together for only $99.00. It is important to remember that Coxswain positions are a dual role position (Skipper and Engineer) therefore you should possess engineering knowledge as well as seamanship knowledge.

In addition to accessing over 650 examination questions you will also receive the following:

• Unlimited access to the examination questions
• All Training manuals in a download format
• Unlimited access to our Senior Trainer via email or phone with any questions you may have