IALACOLREG
Academy
All countries

British Virgin Islands

Who issues it
Virgin Islands Shipping and Maritime Authority (VISMA). Radio operator licences are issued by the Telecommunications Regulatory Commission (TRC).
Buoyage
IALA region B

Do you need a licence?

BVI-registered seagoing pleasure vessels need STCW-qualified crew at 24 m or more AND 80 GT or more; below either size they are exempt from that Part. Foreign-based bareboat charters over 60 ft need a skipper with a flag-state-recognised licence. Other private-boating licence and age rules are unconfirmed.

Professional deck titles

  1. Rating forming part of a navigational watch

    STCW II/4
    What it lets you do
    Bridge-watch rating on ships of 500 GT or more.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  2. Able seafarer deck

    STCW II/5
    What it lets you do
    Qualified deck rating on ships of 500 GT or more.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  3. Officer in charge of a navigational watch / Master (near-coastal)

    STCW II/3
    What it lets you do
    Separate watch-officer and master certificates for ships under 500 GT on near-coastal voyages.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  4. Officer in charge of a navigational watch

    STCW II/1
    What it lets you do
    Watch officer on voyages not limited to near-coastal waters.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  5. Chief mate

    STCW II/2
    What it lets you do
    Second in command: separate certificates for 500–2999 GT and 3000 GT or more.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  6. Master

    STCW II/2
    What it lets you do
    Separate certificates: 500–2999 GT beyond near-coastal voyages; 3000 GT or more, as certificated.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

Radio certificates

  1. SRC certificate of competency

    SRC
    What it lets you do
    Accepted supporting certificate for a TRC operator licence application.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  2. LRC certificate of competency

    LRC
    What it lets you do
    Accepted supporting certificate for a TRC operator licence application.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  3. GMDSS Restricted Operator Certificate

    ROC
    What it lets you do
    Accepted supporting certificate for a TRC operator licence application.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  4. GMDSS General Operators Certificate

    GOC
    What it lets you do
    Accepted supporting certificate for a TRC operator licence application.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  5. 1st Class Electronic certificate

    What it lets you do
    Supporting qualification for a TRC operator licence application, depending on the type requested.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  6. 2nd Class Electronic certificate

    What it lets you do
    Supporting qualification for a TRC operator licence application, depending on the type requested.
    Where to study
    Study it in Academy

  7. Radio Telephone Operator Licence

    What it lets you do
    TRC operator licence; supporting qualifications depend on the type requested.
    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.

Study the theory in the Academy See the Exam Pass

Official sources: VISMA — Marine Circular 10/2025: adopted STCW certification rules · Government of the Virgin Islands — Cruising and Home Port Permit (Amendment) Act, 2025, section 9 · VISMA — Marine Circular 01/2025, Seafarer HQ Applications · Telecommunications Regulatory Commission — Radio Telephone Operator Licence Application · Government of the Virgin Islands — Merchant Shipping Act, 2001, section 170 · VISMA — Syllabus for Boatmaster Licences, SCV Code 2021, Annex 11