The overall aim of this book is to provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to carry out specific deck hand duties in accordance with MCA requirements and as per STCW.

Introduction

1. What this document is about

1.1 This document provides the Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Certificate and Examination Syllabus as part of the requirement leading to the issue of an STCW Able Seafarer Deck Certificate (Regulation II/5).

1.2 Training courses developed in line with these criteria and delivered at centres approved by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will cover the mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as able seafarer deck.

1.3 The specifications described in this document have been developed by the Merchant Navy Training Board (MNTB) in conjunction with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

1.4 The MCA has agreed with the MNTB that the specifications described in this document will satisfy the requirements for training. A course developed to deliver Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) shall be approved by the MCA in accordance with the approval process described in Annex A.

1.5 The national occupational standards relating to this training are:

A01 – Contribute to the stability and watertight integrity of a vessel A11 – Take personal emergency action on board a vessel A12 – Respond to emergencies on board a vessel A32 – Maintain safe, legal and effective working practices on board a vessel A33 – Ensure safe, legal and effective working practices on board a vessel B01 – Contribute to maintaining a navigational watch B13 – Contribute to vessel operations B21 – Contribute to vessel mooring, anchoring and securing operations B34 – Contribute to vessel loading and discharge

1.6 The suite of Maritime Studies Qualifications which contain units to this training are:

• Basic navigational watchkeeping • Vessel ropework, anchoring and mooring operations • Vessel ropework, anchoring and mooring activities • Assisting with securing a vessel for passage • Securing a vessel for passage • Vessel construction and stability • Survival in the water • Vessel fire prevention and fire fighting.

2. Why these criteria have been developed

2.1 The Efficient Deck Hand criteria have been developed to deliver training to meet the specification of minimum standards of competence of ratings as able seafarer deck as stated in Tables A-II/5 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Code 1978 as amended), hereafter referred to as STCW.

2.2 EDH also forms part of the education and training requirements to obtain a UK Certificate of Competency (see Section 10.6 of MSN 1856 (M+F)).

3. Who the training is aimed at

3.1 This training is required by seafarers seeking certification under MSN 1862 (M) or MSN 1856 (M+F).

4. Aims of the training

4.1 The overall aim is to provide seafarers with the necessary knowledge, understanding and proficiency to carry out specific deck hand duties in accordance with MCA requirements and as per STCW.

Contents Listing

Section One – Introduction

Section Two – Outcomes

Annex A – Conditions for MCA approval of short courses

Annex B – STCW Code:

(i) Table A-II/5 – Specification of minimum standard of competence of ratings as able seafarer deck

Annex C – Instructor/assessor qualification and experience requirements

Annex D – Specimen certificate of training – Efficient Deck Hand