Ghana
- Who issues it
- Ghana Maritime Authority (GMA)
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
Skipper rules unconfirmed. Vessel licensing covers Ghanaian boats under 24 m and boats used solely inland, subject to exemptions. Exempt: unpowered pleasure craft under 5 m; powered pleasure craft under 3 m and ≤3.75 kW; ships registered under Act 645. The separate tonnage condition is unclear.
Ship licence (Ghana Shipping Act, section 40)
- What it lets you do
- A vessel licence for boats covered by section 40, including qualifying pleasure craft. It does not establish a personal skipper qualification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Rating forming part of a navigational watch
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- A deck rating qualified to help keep a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Able seafarer deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- A deck rating qualified for able seafarer duties.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Officer in charge of a navigational watch and master on near-coastal voyages
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Separate officer and master certificates for ships below 500 GT on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Officer in charge of a navigational watch
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Keeps a bridge watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master and chief mate on ships between 500 and 3,000 gross tonnage
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Separate certificates to command a ship or serve as chief mate on ships between 500 and 3,000 GT.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master and chief mate on ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or more
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Separate certificates to command a ship or serve as chief mate on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio operator
- What it lets you do
- For radio duties on ships required to use GMDSS; GMA lists operator certification.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Ready to study for it?
The Academy is free with an account: lessons for every topic, timed mocks marked like the real exam, and your progress saved.
Official sources: FAOLEX — Ghana Shipping Act, 2003 (Act 645), as amended by Acts 675 and 826; sections 3 and 40–42 · Ghana Maritime Authority — Compliance and Enforcement: L.I. 2229 certificate categories · International Maritime Organization — STCW Manila amendments, regulations II/1–II/5 and IV/2 · International Maritime Organization — IMO Compendium: Person certificate capacities (IMO1020) · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Publication 160: Ghana, Buoyage System · National Communications Authority — Maritime Radio Services · Ghana Maritime Authority — New Initiatives on the Training of Ratings