The MCAST Maritime Institute is the maritime training centre in Malta which offers studies leading to OIC Navigational Watch Certificate, Chief Officer and Master Mariner Certificate. The course on Marine Deck is STCW compliant and leads to the achievement of the Certificate of Competence, which is certified by the administration Transport Malta.
The most popular course in Malta is that of the Officer in Charge of Navigational watch which is a three year course and which requires one year sea-time experience and two years schooling. Normally students commence the course by attending school for a year and then are sponsored to go to sea as Deck Cadets for another year, in order to receive on-board training on vessels engaged in an ocean going trade. Their seatime need not be obtained through one contract but may be split between various contracts on different types of vessels.
The certificates achieved in their first year at school are:
- Basic Safety Training STCW VI/1
- Personal survival techniques STCW VI/1
- Fire prevention and fire fighting STCW VI/1
- Elementary first aid STCW VI/1
- Personal safety and social responsibility STCW VI/1
- Security Awareness Training STCW VI/6
Further to fulfilling their one year sea-time students spend another year at school in order to achieve the certificate of OIC Navigational watch (STCW A-II/1). This would include the following certificates:
- GMDSSS endorsement STCW IV/2
- Medical first aid STCW VI/4
- Survival craft and rescue boats STCW VI/2
- Advanced fire fighting STCW VI/3
- Seafarer with designated security duties STCW VI/6
Exams for an OIC Navigational watch are split between various written exams, 2 exams done locally through the examining body SQA (Scottish Qualification Authority) and an oral exam carried out by a representative of the MCA (Maritime Coast Guard Authority). All exams are sat for locally. Once the OIC Navigational watch certificate is obtained, the Officer may sail as a 3or 2 Officer on board vessels.
Officers seeking to obtain their Chief Mate COC need to fulfil a minimum one year sea time service in the capacity of OIC Navigational Watch prior to studying for the Chief Mate’s Licence. The Chief Mate COC is achieved through sitting for local exams in Malta, 2 exams sat for locally through the examining body SQA and an oral exam carried out by a representative of the MCA.
Malta also offers the course of Master Mariner through a course over 4 weeks whereby an oral exam is undertaken through an MCA examiner. This exam is also undertaken in Malta.
All Certificates of Competence are issued by Transport Malta and are recognised internationally.
