Sea Service Information

One of the prerequisites for obtaining a marine certificate of competency is that you are required to gain a certain amount of experience onboard boats.  Each certificate of competency has its own sea service requirement. These are outlined on the Certificate of Competency Information Sheets.

Commercial Sea Service is accredited according to the ‘survey class’ of the vessel. For example vessels in survey classes 1 and 2 are accredited with trading time while class 3 is accredited with fishing sea service. 

The Department of Transport, Marine Safety, prefers that sea service for entry level certificates to be recorded in a 'Record of Sea Service Book' (ROSS).  A Record of Sea Service book records all aspects of your sea service and gives Transport, Marine Safety, a well documented record of your experience.

  • A well kept ROSS book minimises the time taken for a Transport, Marine Safety, sea service assessment.

  • It is your responsibility to maintain accurate records of your sea service.

  • Failure to keep proper records can result in delays in assessment and non-approval of your sea service.

  • Sea service gained before being issued with a Record of Sea Service book must be documented on statutory declarations  or another acceptable format.

  • Sea service can be documented from the age of 15 years.

  • One day sea service can be accumulated per calendar day.

Sea Service Assessment

Sea service is assessed in the basic unit of a month. A standard month is a minimum of 150 hours of work over a period of at least 20 days. Sea service may be accumulated over a longer period than 20 days but will still be accepted as one month once 150 hours has been reached.

For example, 150 hours accrued over a period of 40 days = 1 month or 300 hours accrued over a period of at least 40 days = two months sea service, 300 hours accrued in 15 days does not equal one month.  

National Record of Practical Experience and Sea-Service book (ROPES)

One of the objectives of serving a period of qualifying time is to ensure the candidate has been exposed to a broad range of activities that take place onboard a boat. The ROPES book assists the candidate to make efficient use of the qualifying time served, in return for which a reduction in sea service is allowed.

On completion or part completion of the specified tasks the candidate will be given a pro rata concession on qualifying time up to 50%.   ROPES books are available for Coxswain, Master Class 5 and Marine Engine Driver Grade 2 from the “To obtain a ROSS and ROPES” book section of this page.

Overseas Sea Service

Overseas Sea Service may be entered in your Record of Sea Service book but it must be supported by:

  • Original letters on company / ship letterhead attesting to the time employed onboard the ship signed by the master or owner. The letter should confirm the ships registration details, area of operation, the duties you were performing, dates of employment, and the number of days the vessel was at sea. Contact details (phone, fax, email address) for master or owner are also required.

  • A copy of the ships certificate of registration.

Recreational Sea Service    

Sea service completed on a recreational vessel may be accepted toward the issue of a Coxswain – Instructor of a Commercial Ski Boat, Coxswain or Master Class 5 Certificate of Competency. Recreational Sea Service will not be accepted for any other Certificates of Competency.

Sea service, in a commercial capacity, on a vessel which is or was not issued with a valid Certificate of Survey or Commercial Registration “White Boat” can be assessed towards the application for a Mate 4, MC4, MC3, MED1 or MEC3 in accordance with the Certification Sections Sea Service Assessment Policy.

Coxswain

  • 240 recreational sea days

  • A sea day is minimum of 7.5 hours underway

Master Class 5

  • Up to 15 months recreational sea service can be submitted

  • The remaining 15 months required must be served on a commercial vessel.

  • Other requirements must be met for Master Class 5.  

Recreational sea service can be documented for assessment on a Transport Marine Safety Statutory Declaration, declared by someone other than the candidate that was aware of the service.  Self declared sea service statutory declarations will not be accepted.
   
If you have an old Record of Sea Service book that differs from the current book, you are required to provide all of the information that the current log book provides.

To obtain a Record of Sea Service Book    

You are required to attend one of the following Transport offices and take with you:

  • one recent passport size colour photo.

  • Identification e.g. Drivers Licence, Birth Certificate or passport.


 Fremantle   1 Essex Street, Fremantle WA 6160
 Hillarys  86 Southside Drive, Hillarys Boat Harbour, Hillarys
 Broome  9 Napier Terrace, Broome
 Karratha  3-5 Welcome Road, Karratha
 Exmouth  Payne Street, Exmouth
 Carnarvon  Carnarvon Boat Harbour, Boat Harbour Road, Carnarvon
 Geraldton  65 Chapman Road, Geraldton
 Bunbury  24 Wellington Street, Bunbury
 Albany  178 Stirling Terrace, Albany
 Esperance   Suite 3/ 53 The Esplanade, Esperance

(ROPES) Book  

To obtain a National Record of Practical Experience and Sea Service (ROPES) Book you are required to attend Fremantle or Geraldton office and take with you;

  • one recent passport size colour photo.

  • Identification e.g. Drivers Licence, Birth Certificate or passport.

If you attend one of the other abovementioned offices requesting a ROPES book, a book will be ordered for you from the Fremantle office.   Once your ROPES book arrives at the office where ordered, you will be required to attend that office, taking with you the above requirements.