All you need to know about Ghana Certificate of Competency (COC)

For a dynamic sailing career, a seafarer requires to be certified competent in order to progress to the next rank. In this article, all you need to know about the Ghana certificate of competency (COC) will be discussed. This article primarily models the Class III COC aspirants.

The STCW Manilla Convention (2010) sets out the training standard and shipboard competencies that must be met in line with new technological and operational requirements. One of such important documentation for seafarers is the Certificate of Competency (COC). The international Convention on standards of training, Certification, and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW 78/95 amended), is the regulation of the International maritime Organization (IMO) which ensures standardized training of seafarers.

The Ghana seafarer Certificate of Competency is issued by the Ghana maritime authority (GMA).The Ghana Maritime Authority issued COC is currently at it’s peak in recognition by other flag states. The recognition wasn’t gotten by just dreaming but by acting upon their dreams. Apart from its head quarter in Accra, GMA operates in port branches in Tema and Takorodi.

The GMA is responsible for training and certification of seafarers in accordance with the International Convention on the Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers (STCW 79/95 amended). Its training and certification is primarily for Ghanaian seafarers but is patronized by other nationalities such as Nigerians, Gambians, Liberians and sierra Leoneans, Cameroonians etc.

Why do seafarers opt for Ghana Certificate of Competency (COC) ?

Some of the reasons why seafarers prefer the Ghana COC include;

• An organized syllabus; hence, the rate of passes are high.
• A schematically planned preparatory class; hence, no delays.
• Its recognized and highly sort after by shipping companies.

Currently, GMA has stipulated that engineers will have acquired at least three months of boiler experience before being offered the Ghana Certificate of Competency (COC)

The Regional Maritime University (RMU) Ghana

The Regional Maritime University (RMU) in Ghana is in charge of conducting the COC preparatory Classes and conducting its examination. The COC Examination questions are prepared by the GMA but the lecturers at RMU recommend questions to be set.

The Regional Maritime University (RMU) was established in 2007. Summarily, it is an International tertiary institution and private university founded by five countries. The member states include the Republics of Cameroon, the Gambia, Ghana, Liberia and Sierra Leone. Seafarers from these member states enjoy numerous benefits. The subsidized tuition fees for the COC Preparatory courses as well as being a regular cadet in RMU is one of such benefits of being from a member state.

How to obtain the Ghana Certificate of Competency (COC)

Below are the steps to be taken in order to obtain the GMA issued Seafarer Certificate of Competency.

1. Obtain an Eligibility from the GMA:

• Copies of Discharge booklet entries duly stamped by the ships of service Master.
• Letter of Confirmation of sea-service form from the Regional Maritime University (RMU).
• A copy of the Onboard Training Record Book for Officers in charge of an Engineering watch for cadet or ratings.
• Copies Sea service testimonials of not less than 12 months.
• Copies of Seafarer certificates and documents (will be verified by GMA).
• Transcript from the Seafarer Institution of Training.
• Application Payment receipt.

• Eligibility to undergo the Limited COC: This eligibility is given to seafarers who did not meet the required requirements for the unlimited COC. With this, a seafarer is given a COC which limits the seafarer to ships within a specific coast. An example of such a requirement includes gross tonnage of ship-3000GRT (deck), Engine Power- 3000kw (engine). A limited COC restricts a seafarer’s sail to a specified coast. For class II-I with a limited COC, you can upgrade this with full year of preparatory courses.

• Eligibility to undergo the Unlimited COC: With this type of eligibility, a seafarer can serve on all ships as an Officer including foreign going vessels. GMA gives such eligibility to seafarers who have met the requirements. Also, seafarers with such eligibility are further subdivided into two categories.
  • Full year (2 Semester) of preparatory courses: Some Seafarers are made to undergo a full year of COC preparatory courses in order to be eligible for the examination. Ratings and other seafarers who have little or no academic qualification are mostly subjected to the 2 semesters of preparation.
  • Single semester of preparatory courses: This waiver is given to cadets with academic qualifications as well as a complete sea time experience.

2. Register for the Preparatory Courses in the Regional Maritime University (RMU) Ghana:

3. Tuition Fees:

4. Undergo the COC Preparatory Courses at RMU:

5. Successfully pass the COC Examination:

The Examination is both Written and oral. GMA COC Written Examination lasts between two to three weeks while the oral examination is just for a day.

Click here to view the Examination schedule .

The Oral Interview is conducted by a panel of not more than 3 examiners. The interviewers will examine the candidates and ask questions relating to the preparatory classes.

6. Issuance of the Certificate of competency/proficiency:

Before issuing the COC to the candidate, certain requirements must be met. These requirements include;

• The applicant shall submit all relevant documents to the Training, Examination and Certification (TEC) department of the GMA for vetting. A valid Ghanaian medical certificate issued by GMA; Copies of training certificates from RMU, original certificate of proficiency/competence previously held (for class II-I), a copy of either discharge book or international passport.
• The applicant pays for clearance and submits all documents including receipt to the TEC department.
• Applicant goes through biometric capturing process and then obtains a collection form.
• The processing of the Certificate takes ten (10) working days.

What should be my estimated budget to obtain the Ghana CoC?

For a Nigerian Seafarer, the cost of obtaining a Ghanaian COC is expensive as compared to that from Maritime Academy of Nigeria. Furthermore, accommodation and the cost of living in Ghana is different from that of Nigeria.

Provided below is the average budget for a Nigerian obtaining a Ghana Certificate of Competency (COC):

• Eligibility Application Fee: N25, 000-N30, 000 (250 Ghana Cedi).
• Accommodation: N130, 000-N180, 000 on an average for 6 months.
• Registration: N25, 000.
• Feeding: N10, 000 weekly on an average.
• Main Fee: Unlimited- $2501
• Examination Fee: N150, 000.
• The Advance courses: Before the GMA offers a seafarer its COC certification, the seafarer is expected to have completed all the required advance courses. The fee for each course differs for seafarers of member state and those of other. Keep in mind that the fees are subject to change without notice.All fees are settled in dollars or its equivalent in the Ghana Cedi (at the prevailing Exchange rate).

Conclusion:

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