Vessel Operations (Small Commercial Vessels) Level 2 is a competence-based qualification for persons with basic knowledge and seafaring experience within the Maritime industry. This qualification covers competencies for taking command of an open vessel in Protected and Coastal Waters. An ‘open boat’ refers to a vessel which is open to the elements and is not fitted with a complete watertight or weather tight deck of complete structure above the waterline.
Individuals are expected to perform a range of functions in line with the Code of Safety for Small Commercial Vessels, and which also implements guidelines established by the International Convention of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. The industry requirement is limited to persons no less than the age of eighteen (18), individuals must have a Certificate of Successful Completion for Boatmaster 3 issued by an approved institution and licensed as a Boatmaster 3 by the Maritime Administration in order to lawfully operate a small commercial vessel.
This individual performs boat handling duties in compliance with Maritime legislation, regulations and procedures. Seamanship skills are applied to conduct work duties aboard the vessel such as for navigating at reduced speed, interaction with other vessels and applying techniques for rope work such as knots and splices.
The term ‘vessel’ which is stated in the applicable Units of Competencies refers to small commercial vessels operating for commercial use and carrying cargo or passengers on any voyage, or excursion to their destination.
Persons who complete this qualification could be employed in the following jobs:
Boatmaster (Grade 3), Master/Captain (open vessel)
Persons who complete this qualification could articulate and specialize in:
Seafaring
o Boatmaster (Grade 2), Launch Captain/Master/Captain (Small Commercial Vessels)
Occupational Standards can also be used to:
Prepare job descriptions and specifications
Determine recruitment criteria
Appraise staff performance objectively
Identify skill and training gaps and needs
Conduct labour market analyses
Develop curriculum
Assess the effectiveness of training programmes
Determine compensation and rewards
The benefits of acquiring the TTNVQ to Candidates
Provide a basis for articulation and accreditation
Provides a broad-based preparation for employment
Is an alternative route to further / higher education
Complements and has parallel standing with academic qualifications
Provides enhanced employability and higher earning potential
Facilitates an apprenticeship with actual work experience
Equips candidates with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for the workplace
Past work experience and skills can count towards achieving the TTNVQ
Allows for continuity whereby if a candidate cannot complete the TTNVQ at a centre or school, they can continue at another approved centre
The benefits of the TTNVQ to Employers
Provides a larger cadre of skilled employees/candidates to choose from
Reduces cost of recruiting and selecting the ideal job candidate
Reduces cost for training workers
Ensures higher levels of productivity
Fake licences erode and corrode our industry. Don't support it. Foreign licences don't help either. We need 'homegrown' knowledge, skills and attitude 'inside' our seafarers, not their names ON an expensive piece of paper and they don't know if they can renew. This is how it's done in a 'white list' country. Seafarers must support a similar system here.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/msn-1856-mf-uk-requirements-for-master-and-deck-officers
Programme Structure and Modality
The programme is designed for flexibility of delivery to ensure seafaring candidates can prioritise getting sea going time on working boats. The programme is delivered mainly in several, self-taught online units, practical research, distance learning navigation workbooks and a trainee task book to be completed on a commercial boat. Each student has a personal tutor for academic support through the programme.
Learners are provided with learning units presented on a Learning Management System, hosted on myicourse.com. The learning material is presented in short (4 to 5 minute) videos and downloadable documents on the LMS. Students must answer multiple choice formative assessment questions spread over several tests. Broadband internet is required for completing the online units. A laptop is better for online lessons but a phone or tablet can be used. The results of the formative assessment are submitted as portfolio evidence.
This 250 page textbook is downloaded by learners from the LMS. The book covers much of the same material as the online lessons with more details and diagrams. The textbook also contains banks of self-assessment questions. The textbook is examined in the Core assessments.
Coastal Navigation Workbook 1 can be completed by distance learning. The knowledge required for completing the workbook is in the Core online lessons and the BGNCC textbook. The workbook is downloadable from the LMS.. Students are provided with copies of the nautical charts appropriate for the workbook. Navigation instruments are not provided. Students submit the completed workbook and nautical charts for formative assessment and the completed workbook and charts are a major part of the student’s portfolio.
The written core assessment is a three hour live, in-person with an invigilator. Students answer multiple choice and other types of short answer questions on a printed exam sheet. The knowledge required for this assessment is in the Core online lessons and the BGNCC textbook.
The Oral Core Assessment is a live, in-person 45 minute session with an assessor.
The main practical unit of the programme is the Trainee On Board task book. It is a practical unit that requires the trainee to be employed on a commercial boat for a minimum of 180 days (accumulative). The task book is printed and provided by the tutor. Trainees are encouraged to begin the task book as early as possible to ensure completion and avoid extra fees. During the trainee’s time on board, in addition to the duties of her job, she will have to complete the tasks in the book and create a portfolio of evidence.
This practical unit requires the trainee to research how they will keep up to date with relevant Acts, Codes, Notices, Warnings etc. and how they will get information for a variety of upcoming operations. Students have to prepare brief notes on the project topics and submit a lists of resources used in preparing the notes. The list and notes are part of the student’s portfolio of evidence.
Learners are provided with learning units presented on a Learning Management System, hosted on myicourse.com. The learning material is presented in short (4 to 5 minute) videos and downloadable documents on the LMS. Students must answer multiple choice formative assessment questions spread over several tests. Broadband internet is required for completing the online units. A laptop is better for online lessons but a phone or tablet can be used. The results of the formative assessment are submitted as portfolio evidence.
Coastal Navigation Workbook 2 can be completed by distance learning. The knowledge required for completing the workbook is in the Advanced and Core online lessons and the BGNCC textbook. The workbook is downloadable from the LMS. Students are provided with copies of the nautical charts appropriate for the workbook. Navigation instruments are not provided. Students submit the completed workbook and nautical charts for formative assessment and the completed workbook and charts are a major part of the student’s portfolio.
The practical assessments are closely related to the Trainee Onboard Task Book. At the start of the programme, tutors will identify which sections of the task book will have practical assessments and what the assessment will involve.
The written advanced assessment is a three hour live, in-person with an invigilator. Students are required to write descriptions and sketch diagrams to answer questions on a printed exam sheet. The knowledge required for this assessment is in the advanced online lessons and the completion of the Project.
The Oral Advanced assessments are closely related to the Trainee Onboard Task Book. At the start of the programme, tutors will identify which sections of the task book will have oral assessments and what the candidates broadly need to know.
Learners are assigned a personal tutor who coaches and advises the student through the programme. Students and tutors communicate by emails or Whatsapp, and where required by Skype or Zoom.
VOCVQ Programme Navigation and Seamanship Content
This Task Book is a very important piece of portfolio evidence because it is a record of real work performed by the candidate on the boat in the following activities. Candidates for VOCVQ are encouraged to start the task book as early as possible in the programme. The sections of the task book are as follows: HSE Responsibilities; Conduct workplace communication; Manage professional development and working relationships; Maintaining the Boat ; Inspecting the Boat; Preparing for emergencies; Anchoring the Boat; Mooring the boat; Planning coastal voyages; Manoeuvring the boat ; Carrying passengers ; Carrying deck cargo; Carrying oil and chemicals; Towing; Navigating with radar and Navigating coastal voyages.
The Project is a very important piece of portfolio evidence because it is a record of the candidates ability to keep knowledge up to date by accessing relevant Acts, Codes, Notices and Warnings online. Candidates are provided with the Project topics at the beginning and can expect to research scenarios involving: boat handling, stability, load line surveys, inspecting double-bottom and forepeak tanks and carrying dangerous goods. Candidates must retain and be able to recall the descriptions, calculations and sketches found in the research for later assessments.
Candidates have access to online videos and documents in the following subjects. Candidates must get 70% in all the formative MCQ tests to pass this part of the programme. The Core units are: D1 IRPCS, Buoyage & Flags; D2 Magnetic Compass, Charts and Publications; D3 Navigation Equipment and Meteorology; D4 Passengers, Distress, Search and Rescue; D5 Passage Planning and Coastal Navigation; D6 Anchoring, Mooring, Gangways, Towing.
Candidates can access this workbook from the Core VO website. Candidates are provided with copies of the nautical charts necessary to complete the exercises in the following topics. The completed workbook is a very important piece of portfolio evidence. Workbook 1 covers: Plotting Latitude and Longitude; Magnetic Compass and Direction; Variation and Deviation; Aids to Navigation lights; Plotting Waypoints, Courses and Distances; Plotting Bearings and Distances; Using Current Information; Tide, Draught and Under Keel Clearance and Course to Steer.
Candidates can access this text book from the Core VO website. It should be used to prepare for the summative assessments to progress to the advanced level. The text contains information and self assessment questions on the following: Charts; Compasses; Measuring Direction and Distance; Position Fixing; Nautical Publications; Aids to Navigation; Tides and Current; Navigation Equipment; Meteorology; Prevention of Collisions; Entering and Leaving Port; Anchoring; Distress at Sea.
These assessments are to be done in person with a neutral invigilator present in the room. Candidates will be assessed in the following: Preventing Collisions; Port Entry and Departure; Lights, Shapes, Sounds; Compass Error; Coastal Emergencies; Carrying Passengers; Buoyage and Anchors and Anchoring.
The core oral assessment focuses on: IRPCS and Buoyage; Passengers and Distress; Instrumentation and Meteorology and Bridge Watchkeeping.
Candidates have access to online videos and documents in the following subjects. Candidates must get 70% in all the formative MCQ tests to pass this part of the programme. The Advanced VO units are: Nautical Safety Management; Cargo Work and Stability and Advanced Coastal Navigation.
Candidates can access the final assessments when they have completed the Task Book and the Project.
Based on the completed Projects and the contents of the advanced VO online units.
The final oral assessments focus on: Inspecting the Boat; Maintaining the Boat; Advanced Instruments; Carrying Oil and Chemicals and Carrying Deck Cargo.
The final practical and associated oral assessments cover: Creating a Passage Plan; Preparing the Boat for Departure; Navigating the Boat; Manoeuvring the Boat; Mooring the Boat and Anchoring the Boat.
MEDIA RELEASE
Notice to Owners, Masters, Deck and Engineer Officers and Ratings of Merchant Vessels and those concerned with Maritime Training.
This Notice gives information and guidance on the education and training schemes available to seafarers wishing to obtain merchant navy certificates of competency by either the Vocational Qualification (VQ).
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) implement in Trinidad & Tobago some of the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW 95)2, and its associated Code (STCW Code).
1.3 From January 2023, all new entrant deck officer cadets have been enrolled on approved training programmes which achieve these standards of competence by the attainment of a Vocational Qualification (VQ) based on continuous assessment of knowledge and performance.
2.0 Certificates of Competency
2.1 The following STCW 95 certificates of competency are available:
Deck department – ships on near-coastal voyages
• Officer in charge of a navigational watch (OOW) on ships of less than 500 gt (STCW Reg II/3)
• Master on ships of less than 500 gt (STCW Reg II/3)
4.0 General
4.1 Merchant Shipping Notice No. M1634 introduced the concept of Vocational Qualifications (VQs) for merchant navy certificates. Essentially, a candidate for a certificate of competency who:
.1 obtains an appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), or a specified group of units;
.2 completes the required sea service;
.3 is medically fit; and
.4 pays the appropriate fee;
will be granted entry to the MSD oral examination, success in which will result in the issue of the certificate of competency.
5.0 How it Works
5.1 The key features of the VQ system are:
.1 the accumulation of evidence that a candidate possesses relevant knowledge and skills to the standards laid down in the VQ and can apply them in practice;
.2 the provision of a mechanism known as Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) whereby prior learning and experience can be taken into account, thus avoiding unnecessary repetition of previous training.
5.2 Achievement of the VQ involves:
.1 approved education and training which includes the knowledge, understanding and proficiencies listed in the STCW Code;
.2 tuition in basic principles and underpinning knowledge;
.3 completion of mandatory short training programmes;
.4 on-board training, closely monitored and supervised by certificated officers and documented in a Record Book or Portfolio, whilst completing the necessary sea service;
.5 assessment of evidence by specially trained and appointed staff at an approved assessment centre; currently, approved assessment centres are located at nautical colleges in Trinidad and Tobago.
5.3 Award of the qualification is entirely dependent on the assessor being satisfied that the standards have been achieved.
5.4 The assessment process is verified as part of the quality standards systems operated by the bodies which award the qualification. In Trinidad and Tobago, the awarding body is NTATT.
5.5 As well as classroom teaching, SSNT offers other means of study, including distance learning and guided self study
.png)
