Jamaica
- Who issues it
- Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ)
- Minimum age
- 17 years
- Buoyage
- IALA region B
- Collision rules
- Shipping (Collision Prevention and Signals of Distress) Regulations, 2007
Do you need a licence?
MAJ requires an operator certificate for boats covered by the Harbour Rules when under way in harbours or their approaches. Coxswain applicants must be at least 17. Current private-boat exemptions and licence thresholds by power, length or speed are unconfirmed.
Certificate of Competency as a Coxswain/Coxswain-Driver/Driver
From 17- What it lets you do
- Operate in the ports, vessel class and engine rating endorsed on your certificate.
- How you get it
- Assesses seamanship, navigation, safety, collision rules, local knowledge and practical boat handling.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Navigational Watch Rating
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- Serve as a rating in a seagoing ship's navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Able Seafarer Deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- Work as an able seafarer on deck on ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch — ships under 500 GT, near-coastal voyages
STCW II/3- What it lets you do
- Keep a navigational watch on ships under 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
- Keep a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more, within any limits on your certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Officer (Chief Mate)
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Serve as chief mate within the tonnage and voyage limits of your certificate.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master
STCW II/2, II/3- What it lets you do
- Command ships within endorsed limits. II/3 covers ships under 500 GT on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Certificate of Competence in Radio Telephony
- What it lets you do
- Radio-telephony operator certification from the Spectrum Management Authority.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS Restricted Operator's Certificate
ROC- What it lets you do
- Carry out GMDSS radio duties on ships operating only in sea area A1.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
GMDSS General Operator's Certificate
GOC- What it lets you do
- Carry out GMDSS radio duties on ships operating in sea areas A1 to A4.
- 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: Maritime Authority of Jamaica — Safety Operating Procedure for Vessels Under 24 Metres · Maritime Authority of Jamaica — Application for Certificate of Competency as a Coxswain/Coxswain-Driver/Driver · Port Authority of Jamaica — The Harbour Rules, 1971, rules 39–45 and older rule 49 · FAOLEX — Official Jamaican Shipping (Training, Certification, Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Regulations, 1998 · Maritime Authority of Jamaica — Application for Written Qualifying Examinations, Deck and Engine Departments · Spectrum Management Authority — Frequently Asked Questions, available certifications · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Publication 140: Jamaica, Buoyage System · Supreme Court of Jamaica — [2013] JMSC Civ 62 (Admiralty), paragraph 22, collision regulations