Diploma in Deck Officer Program

Program Description:

The Deck Officer Program is providing quality education and equipping students with cutting-edge knowledge and skills required for safe ship navigation and ship management is the mission of the Deck Officer Program. The curriculum prepares students to meet the requirements of the industry and contribute to its development.
The educational program offered by the Department of Maritime, Deck Officer Program fully aligns with the syllabus outlined in sections A-II/1 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 2010. This undergraduate program spans six semesters, with the 3rd and 6th semesters dedicated to practical training aboard merchant marine ships.

Program Objectives:

The Diploma in Deck Officer Program aims to:

  • produce well-rounded professionals capable of navigating the complexities of modern maritime operations with a comprehensive set of hard skills essential for a career as a deck officer in the maritime industry. These hard skills include navigation, cargo handling and stowage, ship handling, and meteorology and oceanography.
  • produce competent and responsible professionals who can safely and efficiently navigate vessels while adhering to legal and regulatory requirements, including Maritime Regulations and Laws and International Rules and Regulations, and Safety Rules.
  • integrate soft skills development, environmental awareness, and knowledge of green shipping practices into the curriculum, which includes fostering Leadership Management, Communication, Increasing Environmental Awareness, Crisis Management, Green Energy and Shipping Skills.

Admission Requirements

The minimum entry requirements are:

  • General Education Diploma (Grade 12 Certificate) or equivalent
  • All applicants must have completed English and Mathematics.
  • For the Nautical Studies program, the students must be medically fit and have a minimumheight of 140 cm.
    Students must also successfully complete the General Foundation Programme or provide equivalent scores in the three areas of the programme.

The requirements are:

  • English: obtain a valid IELTS score of 5.0 taken within the last two years or score at least 70 points in the College English placement test
  • Mathematics: score at least 50 in the Math placement tests
  • Information Technology: provide a valid certificate in IC3 or ICDL, or score at least 50 in the IT placement tests.

Enrolment:

After being admitted to the college either via applying directly or through the Higher Education Admission Center (HEAC), the students must complete their enrollment at the college. The following documents and materials are required for registration:

  • An original General Education Diploma (Grade 12 Certificate) or equivalent with a minimum pass grade in Mathematics and English
  • Two coloured photos of the applicant
  • A copy of the applicant’s national ID card
  • A copy of the applicant’s guardian’s valid passport or ID card
  • In addition, international students must provide: An original grade 11 certificate or equivalent
    • The original High Secondary School Certificate or equivalent, attested by student’s country’s Ministry of
    • Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Omani Embassy in his/her country.
    • A copy of the applicant’s valid Passport

Study Plan:

Year 1:

  • Math 1
  • Physics 1
  • English 1
  • Deck watch and COLREGS 1
  • Ships ,ships routines and Construction
  • Terrestrial Navigation 1
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Physical Exercise & Swimming
  • Math 2
  • Physics 2
  • English 2
  • Terrestrial Navigation 2
  • Deck watch and COLREGS 2
  • Cargo Handling and Stowage 1
  • Stability 1
  • Maritime Law 1
  • Physical Exercise & Swimming 2

Year 2 :

  • Sea Training 1
  • Math 3
  • English 3
  • General Chemistry +Fuels and Lubrication
  • Deck watch and COLREGS 3
  • Terrestrial Navigation 3
  • Celestial Navigation 1
  • Cargo handling and stowage 2
  • Dynamic transverse and longitudinal Stability 2
  • Maritime Law 2
  • Physical Exercise 3

Year 3 :

  • Technical Writing
  • Terrestrial Navigation 4
  • Celestial Navigation 2
  • Cargo Handling and Stowage 3
  • Deck watch and COLREGS 4
  • Electronic Navigation, AMSAR
  • Meteorology and Oceanography 1
  • Dynamic Transverse and Longitudinal Stability 3
  • Radio Communications (GMDSS)
  • Ship Handling and Maneuvering 1
  • Physical Exercise 4
  • Sea Training 2

Program Articulation:

The program is suitable for individuals who have completed Grade 12 in any discipline and aspire to achieve a successful career in the maritime industry.

Graduates of Nautical Studie program are qualified to work onboard vessels and in shore positions such as:

  • Junior Officer (2nd and 3rd Officer)
  • International Commercial Shipping
  • QSHE management
  • Crewing, Traffic Control, Project Manager, QSHE Management, etc.)
  • Port Logistics (Cargo Surveyor, Ship/Cargo Planning, Transport Management, etc.)
  • Shipping-Related Subcontracting (Product Management, Sales, etc.)
  • Maritime Training and Education (Teachers, Lecturers in Further Education, Trainers, etc.)
  • Public Sector (Coastguard)

International Internship and Collaborations:

Students must register for two internship modules during their entire education. Students have to conduct their internship onboard. These internships must be conducted onboard ships. NU-IMCO arranges these internships, having agreements and Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) with several international shipping companies. The Maritime Department, in collaboration with these international shipping companies, coordinates the cadet internship planning. Students who intern with shipping companies often find permanent employment with them upon graduation.

Prerequisites for Deck Officer Internship:

The Seafarer Medical Check for DO/ME Student must be obtained from one of the recognised medical practitioners approved by the Ministry of Transport, Communications, and Information Technology (MTCIT) in Oman. The list of approved practitioners can be obtained from the Admission and Registration Office. If the medical condition of a student is reported unfit for sea service, the option of changing major/specialisation is given. Also, students have the right to undergo the Seafarer Medical Check more than once and they are responsible for the medical check fees. The medical check is normally valid for two years.

When students go to sea for their practical training, they must have a Seaman’s Book. This document can only be obtained if a student has a valid Seafarer Medical Check issued by a practitioner approved by MTCIT and a Basic Safety Training (STCW) Certificate of Proficiency. The Seamen’s Book can be requested from MTCIT.

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