16 Weeks Programme in Master & Chief Mate | Secure Your Spot Today!
Profile
Cyprus is one of the world’s leading ship-management centers, home to over 200 ship-owning, ship-management, and shipping-related companies. The maritime sector in Cyprus continues to grow, offering significant career opportunities for professionals equipped with both academic qualifications and technical expertise.
To address the increasing industry demand for highly qualified maritime officers, Cyprus Maritime Academy, in collaboration with Intercollege and under the auspices of the University of Nicosia, offers specialized maritime programs designed to prepare Deck and Engine Officers for successful careers in the merchant marine.
Purpose
This training course meets the mandatory minimum standards of competence required for experienced deck officers pursuing a Certificate of Competency (CoC) at the management level. It is aligned with STCW Code Table A-II/2, in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW/78), as amended.
Structured around the IMO Model Course 7.01 – “Master and Chief Mate”, the program covers three core management-level functions:
Function 1: Navigation at the Management Level
Function 2: Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Management Level
Function 3: Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for Persons on Board at the Management Level
Intake Capacity: Limited to 15 trainees per cohort
Course Information
- Course Duration: 16 weeks
- Location: Cyprus
- Delivery Mode: n-person (classroom-based)
- Based on: IMO Model Course 7.01 and STCW Regulation II/2
Objectives & Learning Outcomes
Function 1: Navigation at the Management Level
Covers the competencies of STCW Code Chapter II, Section A-II/2. Key learning outcomes include:
- planning a voyage and conducting navigation
- determining position and the accuracy of resultant position fix by any means
- determining and allowing for compass errors
- coordinating search and rescue operations
- establishing watchkeeping arrangements and procedures
- maintaining safe navigation through information from navigation equipment and systems to assist command decision making
- maintaining safe navigation through the use of ECDIS and associated navigation systems to assist command decision making
- forecasting weather and oceanographic conditions
- response to navigational emergencies
- manoeuvring and handling a ship in all conditions
- operation of remote controls of propulsion plant and engineering systems and services
Function 2: Cargo Handling and Stowage at the Management Level
Aligned with STCW A-II/2, trainees gain advanced knowledge in:
- planning safe loading, stowage, securing and care during the voyage and unloading of cargoes
- the carriage of dangerous goods.
This includes topics such as ship trim, stability, ballasting, cargo securing, tankers and tanker operations and carriage of dangerous, hazardous and harmful cargoes.
Function 3: Controlling the Operation of the Ship and Care for Persons on Board at the Management Level
In accordance with STCW A-II/2, this function focuses on:
- controlling trim, stability and stress
- monitoring and controlling compliance with legislation to ensure
- safety of life at sea
- protection of the marine environment
- maintaining safety and security of crew and passengers
- developing emergency and damage control plans
- organizing and managing the crew
- organizing and providing medical care on board.
This includes topics such as ship construction and stability, dry-docking, search and rescue, personnel management and contingency planning.
Upon completion, participants will be:
- Prepared to assume full command of vessel operations, cargo, and crew
- Proficient in applying international maritime safety and environmental standards
- Capable of implementing practical and regulatory procedures onboard
Curriculum
Training Structure
The course is organized into the following three core functions, each with multiple competency-based modules.
Function 1 | |||
Comp | Description | Notes | Weeks |
1.1 | Plan Voyage and Conduct Navigation | 6 | |
1.2 | Position Determination | ||
1.3 | Compasses | ||
1.4 | Search and Rescue Operations (1.08) | Note 1 | |
1.5 | COLREGS | ||
1.6 | Safe Navigation – Nav. Equipment (1.08,1.22,1.27,1.34) | Note 1 | |
1.7 | Safe Navigation – ECDIS (1.27,1.08,1.22) | Note 1 | |
1.8 | Weather and Oceanographic conditions | ||
1.9 | Respond to Navigational Emergencies | ||
1.10 | Manouvre and Handle Ship in All Conditions | Note 1 | |
1.11 | Propulsion plant and Eng. Systems and Services | Note 2 |
Note 1: All qualified personnel who serve as officers in charge of the navigational watch must hold competences 1.4, 1.6, 1.7 and 1.10, respectively, under Section A-Il/1 of the STCW Code. Separate courses are available for any missing competences based on the relevant IMO Model Courses in the following sense:
Reference Model Course(s) | Duration | Competence |
Model course 1.08 – Radar Navigation at Management Level | 5 days | 1.4, 1.6, 1.7 |
Model Course 1.22 1.34 – Ship Simulator and Bridge Teamwork- (AIS) | 5 days | 1.10 |
Model course 1.27 – Operational use of ECDIS | 5 days | 1.6, 1.7 |
Note 2: This competence is moved into Function 2 (See below)
Function 2 | ||
Comp | Description | Weeks |
1.11 | Propulsion plant and Eng. Systems and Services | 5 |
2.1 | Safe Loading, Stowage, and Unloading of Cargo | |
2.2 | Assess Damage Cargo Space, Hatch covers, etc | |
2.3 | Carriage of Dangerous Goods |
Function 3 | ||
Comp | Description | Weeks |
3.1 | Control Trim Stability and Stress | 5 |
3.2 | Maritime Law | |
3.3 | Safety and Security of crew, Firefighting, etc | |
3.4 | Develop Emergency plans and Emergency situations | |
3.5 | Use of Leadership and management skills | |
3.6 | Medical Care on board |
Admission Requirements
Eligibility
Open to experienced deck officers seeking certification as Master or Chief Mate.
Mandatory Requirements
1. Seagoing Service Experience
Minimum of six (6) months of approved seagoing service in the capacity of Third Officer (Officer of the Watch – OOW). To validate this service, the following documentation is required:
a. Seaman’s Book (Certified Copy)
-
- Clearly indicating the completed sea service as OOW.
- Entries must be duly signed and stamped by the Master of each vessel.
b. Sea Service Confirmation Letter
-
- Issued by the employing company, endorsed by the ship’s flag state.
- Each letter must state the vessel type, gross tonnage (GT), propulsion power, IMO number and fla
2. Valid OOW Certificate
The applicant must hold a valid Officer of the Watch (OOW) Certificate of Competency, in accordance with STCW Regulation II/1. The CoC must be issued by a country recognized on the IMO STCW White List.
3. Medical Fitness Certificate
Applicants must possess a valid Medical Fitness Certificate, issued in accordance with STCW Regulation I/9.
For certification as Master or Chief Mate, all EU and non-EU nationals must obtain a Cyprus-approved Medical Fitness Certificate issued by a doctor, medical center, or hospital approved by the Cyprus Department of Merchant Shipping.
4. Basic Training Certification
Applicants are required to present a valid Certificate of Proficiency in Basic Training, demonstrating compliance with international standards for basic maritime safety.
5. English Language Proficiency
Applicants must demonstrate adequate proficiency in the English language. Where necessary, candidates may be requested to submit a recognized certificate confirming their English language competence.
6. Visa
International candidates living abroad must submit a valid visa issued by the relevant Cyprus authorities to be officially accepted into the program.
Additional Requirements
Applicants must also submit certificates in the following STCW proficiencies (White List authority) for approval:
- ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids)
- ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display and Information System)
- BRM (Bridge Resource Management)
- Medical Care Onboard
Candidates lacking any listed certifications must complete the required training at additional cost and extended duration as indicated in the Course Fees section.
CoC Acquisition
Important
The Certificate oof Competence (CoC) exam is not included in the training course and is arranged separately, depending on the candidate’s readiness and examiner availability. One additional week of post-training is recommended for exam preparation.
CoC Types & Requirements
The type of CoC (unlimited or not) to be issued by the Shipping Deputy Ministry of the Republic of Cyprus as well as the application requirements to issue the corresponding CoC are presented in Tables 1 and 2 accordingly.
Certificate | Pre‑requisite Rank | Service Duration | Vessel Size Requirement | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
Chief Mate (Unlimited) | Third Officer (OOW) | Option 1: 12 months Option 2: 18 months |
Option 1: Entirely on vessels > 3000 GT Option 2: At least 6 months on vessels > 3000 GT; remainder on vessels > 500 GT |
Option 2 must include at least 6 months on vessels > 3000 GT |
Chief Mate (500 – 3000 GT) | Third Officer (OOW) | 12 months | Entirely on vessels between 500 – 3000 GT | |
Master (Unlimited) | Chief Mate | Option 1: 12 months Option 2: 18 months |
Option 1: Entirely on vessels > 3000 GT Option 2: At least 6 months on vessels > 3000 GT; remainder on vessels > 500 GT |
Option 2 must include at least 6 months on vessels > 3000 GT |
Master (500 – 3000 GT) | Chief Mate | 12 months | Entirely on vessels between 500 – 3000 GT |
Notes
- All seagoing service must be approved and meet international maritime regulations.
- Candidates are encouraged to maintain official service records and endorsements.
- The two-path (Option 2) format provides flexibility for those serving mixed-tonnage fleets.
No | Certificate |
---|---|
1 | Copies of seaman’s books where service is documented |
2 | Written confirmation from company for Cyprus flagged vessels |
3 | Written confirmation from flag of vessel for non-Cyprus flag vessels |
4 | Seagoing service with all supportive documents |
5 | GMDSS General operator’s certificate* |
6 | Certificate of proficiency in Basic Training* |
7 | Certificate of proficiency in Survival Craft * |
8 | Certificate of proficiency in Advance Fire Fighting* |
9 | Certificate of proficiency in Medical First Aid* |
10 | Certificate of proficiency in Medical Care on Board* |
11 | Medical Examination Certificate |
*All the above certificates submitted by each candidate must be issued by a maritime authority listed on the IMO White List, in accordance with international conventions and standards.
Course Fees
Course Introductory Fees – €4950
The total cost of participation is determined by the specific Function(s) selected. The fees for each Function are as follows:
- Function 1: €1780
- Function 2: €1490
- Function 3: €1680
Please note the following:
- The above fees do not include any additional training costs that may arise due to missing certifications, as outlined in the Admission Section.
- Participation in individual Functions is subject to availability and may be limited based on demand or scheduling constraints.
Candidates lacking any listed certifications must complete the required training at additional cost and extended duration as indicated in the table below:
Additional Cost per Certificate
A/A | Proficiency Certificate | Duration | Cost – € |
---|---|---|---|
1 | Automatic Radar Plotting Aid – ARPA | 5 days | 500 |
2 | Electronic Chart Display and Information System – ECDIS | 5 days | 500 |
3 | Bridge Resource Management – BRM | 5 days | 500 |
4 | Medical Care | 5 days | 400 |