
Malaysia
- Who issues it
- Jabatan Laut Malaysia [Marine Department Malaysia]; boat licences are issued by the Port Officer.
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
- Collision rules
- Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) Order 1984
Do you need a licence?
Yes, a recreational boat below 500 GT in coastal waters or rivers navigable by seagoing vessels needs a vessel licence.
Statutory exemptions apply. A fisheries licence can satisfy section 474, and crew requirements may be licence conditions.
Lesen Bot · Boat licence

- What it lets you do
- This is a vessel licence for recreational use below 500 GT in qualifying rivers and coastal waters. Follow the use and crew conditions stated on it.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Local Fishing Vessel Authorization Letter to Carry Passengers for Recreational Fishing Activities

- What it lets you do
- You can use this to let a local fishing vessel carry recreational anglers. Its experienced local skipper needs at least a limited domestic mate certificate below 500 GT.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Perakuan Kelasi Pengawasan
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- You can serve as a deck rating forming part of a navigational watch.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Able Seafarer Deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- This qualifies you to serve as a deck rating at support level.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Officer in charge of navigational watch — near-coastal and unlimited grades
- What it lets you do
- For near-coastal service, you can be an officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships under 500 GT or 500 GT or more. For unlimited service, you can do so on ships of 500 GT or more; these are separate grades.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master of less than 500 GT Near-coastal Trade Voyages
- What it lets you do
- You can serve as master on ships under 500 GT on near-coastal voyages.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Chief Mate — near-coastal and unlimited grades
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- For near-coastal service, you can serve as chief mate on ships between 500 and 3,000 GT or of 3,000 GT or more. For unlimited service, you can serve on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master — 500 GT and above, near-coastal and unlimited grades
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- For near-coastal service, you can serve as master on ships between 500 and 3,000 GT or of 3,000 GT or more. For unlimited service, you can serve on ships of 3,000 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC)
ROC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS radio equipment in sea area A1, including VHF distress and safety communications.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
General Operator's Certificate (GOC)
GOC- What it lets you do
- You can operate GMDSS radio systems, including satellite communications.
- 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: Marine Department Malaysia — Merchant Shipping Ordinance 1952, sections 473A–483C · Marine Department Malaysia — MSN 13/2021: Issuance Requirements of a Certificate of Competency and Approved Seatime, Annex I · Marine Department Malaysia — Local Fishing Vessel Authorization Letter to Carry Passengers for Recreational Fishing Activities: User Guideline, March 2021 · Marine Department Malaysia — NMPM 23/2000: Guidance Regarding Training for GMDSS Radio Personnel · Marine Department Malaysia — Merchant Shipping (Collision Regulations) Order 1984, P.U. (A) 438/1984 · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Publication 120: Malaysia, Buoyage System

