How to become a seafarer in Malaysia after school

Officer: maritime academy or college

• The Diploma in Nautical Studies at ALAM prepares deck officers for merchant ships of more than 500 gross tonnage.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• The nautical diploma takes three years in three phases.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• Graduates receive the diploma and a certificate of competency as officer in charge of a navigational watch.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• The Diploma in Marine Engineering at ALAM trains watchkeeping engineer officers for ships of 750 kW and above.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Marine Engineering
• The marine engineering diploma takes 3.5 years.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Marine Engineering
• Diploma applicants must be single and aged 18 to 25.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• Malaysian applicants need the SPM school certificate with a credit in Bahasa Melayu and a pass in English.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• Applicants must not be colour blind and need good eyesight.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• Minimum height is 158 cm for men and 155 cm for women.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies

Rating: rating course

• ALAM's STCW deck rating programme lasts 6 months.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Deck Ratings
• The deck rating course leads to able seafarer deck certification under STCW II/5.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Deck Ratings
• Deck rating applicants must be male Malaysian citizens, single and aged 18 to 25.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Deck Ratings
• Minimum schooling for the deck rating course: able to read, write and calculate, or a pass in SRP/PMR/PT3 or equivalent.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Deck Ratings
• ALAM's STCW engine rating programme also lasts 6 months.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Engine Ratings
• The engine rating course leads to able seafarer engine certification under STCW III/5.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Engine Ratings

Exams and certification

• Diploma applicants with SPM and a skills or vocational certificate must pass the institute's entry examination in mathematics and science.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• A new certificate of competency requires an oral examination result slip from the Marine Department.
  Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, deck (application checklist)
• The application also needs a written test result or a diploma or certificate of attendance.
  Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, engine (application checklist)
• The Marine Department publishes an oral examination syllabus for officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more, unlimited voyages.
  Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Oral examination syllabus, STCW II/1 officer in charge of a navigational watch, unlimited

Documents in order

1. Register as a seafarer in the SDPx online system.
   Source: Marine Department Malaysia: Seafarer Documentation System (SDPx)
2. All seafarers must complete safety familiarization and basic training under STCW VI/1.
   Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention
3. Get a medical certificate; colour blindness is not allowed for a certificate of competency.
   Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, deck (application checklist)
4. Record approved sea service in the seafarer's service book.
   Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, engine (application checklist)
5. Pass the oral examination and apply for the certificate of competency.
   Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, deck (application checklist)

Cadet training at sea

• For an unlimited deck watchkeeping certificate, the checklist requires 36 months of deck sea time or 12 months as a deck cadet.
  Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, deck (application checklist)
• For an unlimited engineer watchkeeping certificate, the checklist requires 12 months of sea time as an engine cadet plus a diploma.
  Source: Jabatan Laut Malaysia: Certificate of competency qualifications, engine (application checklist)
• The final year of the nautical diploma is shipboard training.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Nautical Studies
• ALAM's job placement unit helps cadets and ratings find a ship for on-board training.
  Source: Akademi Laut Malaysia (ALAM): Diploma in Marine Engineering
• Under STCW, a candidate for officer in charge of a navigational watch must be at least 18 and have at least 12 months of approved seagoing service.
  Source: IMO, STCW/CONF.2/33 (2010): Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

Approved training institutions

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