Officer In Charge of Engine Watch Program

Course Overview

An Engine officer trainee is referred to as an Engine Cadet and follows a 3-year training programme, which leads to initial certification as an Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW). The training consists of two years at AAMOTI and at least one year on board a seagoing ship with propulsion machinery of 750kW and over and by the cadet training manual.

STCW III/1 Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (OICEW) is the officer on watch in charge of the main propulsion plant of the ship and the associated auxiliaries.

Eligibility for OICEW is defined in STCW Regulation III/1 and the certification is being issued by the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ).

Course Objectives

This course comprises four functions at the operational level. On successful completion of the training and assessment, trainees should be competent to carry out safely the watchkeeping duties of an officer in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine room or designated duty engineer in a periodically unmanned engine room, both at sea and in port.

In particular, they will be fully conversant with the basic principles to be observed in keeping an engineering watch as per STCW regulation VIII/2 and STCW Code, Chapter VIII.

Course Function

  1. Marine engineering at the operational level
  2. Electrical, electronic, and control engineering at the operational level
  3. Maintenance and repair at the operational level
  4. Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level

Entry Requirements/Standards For The AAMOTI Cadet Program

In preparing for this course entrants will have completed a minimum period of full-time general education of about 10 to 12 years. They should have reached a standard in mathematics and physical science which would enable them to undertake the learning as set out in the syllabuses for those subjects.

  • Must be between the ages of 17-25 years of age;
  • Passed the Seafarer Medical Examination;
  • Have at least five (5) GCE O’ Level or CXC subjects (Mathematics, English, and three other subjects, preferably including two science subjects) or
  • Any other qualification deemed equivalent.

Course Certificate

After completing all the academic studies and passing the exam conducted by the administration, the student will receive the Certificate of Competence COC as an Engineer Officer.

Course Duration

4 Semesters