Pakistan
- Who issues it
- Mercantile Marine Department, Directorate General Ports & Shipping, Ministry of Maritime Affairs; provincial governments or appointed officers for inland certificates; Frequency Allocation Board for GMDSS GOC certificates.
- Buoyage
- IALA region A
Do you need a licence?
Provinces administer inland rules. The 1917 Act requires certified masters/serangs and engineers/engine-drivers for inland motor vessels, subject to exemptions. The 2006 deck rules exclude pleasure yachts outside trade. Coastal leisure licensing remains unconfirmed.
Certificate of Competency as Serang (Inland)
From 18
- What it lets you do
- Inland command below 40 nominal horsepower, subject to exemptions.
- How you get it
- Oral examination. The syllabus covers lights, signals, boat handling, grounding and inland law.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency as Second Class Master (Inland)
From 18- What it lets you do
- Inland command below 100 nominal horsepower. Required from 40 to under 100, subject to exemptions and accepted higher qualifications.
- How you get it
- Oral examination. The syllabus covers vessel handling, distress signals, charts, compass and harbour knowledge.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master's Licence (Inland, section 22A)
- What it lets you do
- Discretionary provincial licence for inland command up to 170 nominal horsepower, or a lower approved limit.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency as First Class Master (Inland)
From 18- What it lets you do
- Inland command, including vessels of 100 nominal horsepower or more, subject to exemptions.
- How you get it
- Oral examination. The syllabus covers local navigation, tides, vessel handling, emergencies and port-control VHF.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Professional deck titles
Certificate of Proficiency for Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch
STCW II/4- What it lets you do
- Deck rating supporting the navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Proficiency for Rating as Able Seafarer Deck
STCW II/5- What it lets you do
- Deck rating for watch support, mooring, cargo work and maintenance on seagoing ships of 500 GT or more.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class IV
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Operational-level deck watchkeeping qualification; service limits depend on the certificate and endorsements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Second Mate of Foreign-going Ship / Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class III
STCW II/1- What it lets you do
- Second mate on foreign-going ships, subject to certificate limitations and endorsements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
First Mate of Foreign-going Ship / Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class II
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- First mate on foreign-going ships, subject to certificate limitations and endorsements.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Master of Foreign-going Ship / Certificate of Competency (Deck Officer) Class I Master Mariner
STCW II/2- What it lets you do
- Master of foreign-going ships, within the certificate's limits.
- Where to study
- Study it in Academy
Radio certificates
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) General Operator Certificate (GOC)
GOC- What it lets you do
- GMDSS radio qualification examined and issued by the Frequency Allocation Board.
- 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: Directorate General Ports & Shipping — Inland Mechanically Propelled Vessels Act, 1917, sections 2, 21, 22A, 25–31 and 68 · Mercantile Marine Department — SOPs for Operating Activities, sections 11–13: inland master and serang eligibility and examinations · Directorate General Ports & Shipping — Pakistan Merchant Shipping (Examination and Certification of Masters, Deck Officers and Safe Manning) Rules, 2006 · Directorate General Ports & Shipping — Deck Officer Examination Schedule 2025: Class I/II and Class III/IV STCW references · Cabinet Division — Year Book 2023–24, Frequency Allocation Board: GMDSS General Operator Certificates · US National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency — Sailing Directions (Planning Guide), Publication 160: Pakistan, Buoyage System · Directorate General Ports & Shipping — Circular 002/2021: certification of navigational-watch ratings and able seafarers deck · Mercantile Marine Department — Examination syllabuses for First Class Master, Second Class Master and Serang (Inland), effective 1 July 2021