Training to become a deck officer

• What it sets out:

  • The executive order sets out the rules for training to become a deck officer.
  • The training consists of 1 year of teaching and up to 1 year and 6 months of practical training at sea.
  • During the practical training, you must have 12 months at sea on merchant ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, and 6 months of this must be on ships that do not sail in coastal waters.
  • After enough time at sea, you can become a mate on ships under 3,000 gross tonnage.
• Who: The rules apply to people who want to become a deck officer. To be admitted, you must as a general rule have completed the coastal skipper training, have a valid health certificate, be fit for lookout duty and have a valid watchkeeping certificate. You can also be admitted on another basis after an individual assessment, and people who are on or have come from the training for fishing skipper, 1st grade, can be admitted under certain conditions.
• When: The executive order entered into force on 1 August 2026.

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