PROFESSIONAL knowledge

At the concept level:
1. Impact of pollution from ships on the marine environment.

At the comprehension level:
2. Basic concepts of navigation.
3. Theory of tides.
4. Operating principles of meteorological instruments.
5. Characteristics of meteorological systems.
6. Methods for navigating a ship in conditions of restricted visibility.
7. Operating principles of a radio-locator and ARPA.
8. Main types of ARPA, specific features of its image, and standards.
9. Potential risks when relying on the information obtained through ARPA.
10. Data of electronic navigational charts (ENC), their accuracy, display options, and other chart data formats.
11. Potential risks when relying on the data of electronic charts.
12. Procedures to be implemented in the event of errors in the operation of ECDIS.
13. International requirements for the use and system performance of ECDIS.
14. Distress signals specified in Annex IV to COLREG Convention.
15. Organisation of search and rescue operations specified in Volume III of the International Aeronautical and Maritime Search and Rescue (IAMSAR) Manual.
16. Principles of the preparation of notifications.
17. Signals specified in the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
18. Distress signals specified in Annex IV to COLREG Convention.
19. Ship manoeuvring elements.
20. Basic operating principles of electric power equipment and on-board mechanisms of ships, including offshore ships.
21. Factors affecting the manoeuvring of a ship.
22. Principles of the selection of the anchoring area.
23. Operating principles of cargo handling equipment.
24. Calculations of the amount, loads, force, moments, and ship’s stability.
25. Effects of the cargo, including a heavy cargo, on seaworthiness and stability of a ship.
26. Principles of safe workload of cargo handling equipment.
27. Methods for securing cargos specified in the Cargo Securing Manual.
28. Effects of the movement of the cargo on ship’s stability.
29. Effects of cargoes, including dangerous, hazardous, and harmful cargoes, on human and ship safety.
30. Characteristics of different cargoes.
31. Effects of external factors on the characteristics of a cargo.
32. Contents and importance of cargo handling instructions (MSDS, etc.).
33. Structural elements of a ship.
34. Purposes of the “Expanded Inspection Programme”.
35. Most common locations of the formation of damages and defects occurring due to cargo handling, corrosion, and weather conditions.
36. Requirements specified in the Radio Regulations of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU).
37. Requirements of SOLAS Convention regarding the maintenance of radio communications on the ship.
38. Structure and operating principles of GMDSS equipment.
39. Requirements of SOLAS Convention for backup energy sources.
40. Operating principles of GMDSS equipment.
41. MARPOL Convention requirements for the prevention of pollution of the marine environment.
42. Structure and structural elements of ships, including offshore ships.
43. Basics of ship theory.
44. IMO initial stability criteria for ships.
45. Principles of water tightness of a ship.
46. Measures to be undertaken in the event of partial loss of buoyancy of the ship.
47. Calculation of loads, forces, and moments.
48. Application of computer programmes for the control of ship’s stability.
49. Types and stages of fire.
50. Operating principles of the devices for lowering/lifting of survival craft and rescue boats.
51. Potential causes, types, and extent of injuries and illnesses.
52. Requirements set forth in international and national laws and regulations regarding the carriage of passengers.
53. Requirements and recommendations specified in the applicable international and national laws and regulations.
54. Safe disconnection and isolation of mechanisms and systems of a ship.
55. Safety guidelines for work with high voltage systems.

At the application level:
56. Structure and application of chart catalogues, other publications, and navigational charts.
57. Symbols of navigational charts and publications.
58. General principles of ships’ routeing.
59. Dead reckoning of a ship.
60. Methods for determining the location of the ship (by celestial bodies, coastal reference points, means of navigation, and dead reckoning of a ship).
61. Operating principles of electronic positioning systems.
62. Determination of the location of the ship by electronic positioning systems.
63. Methods for calculating tides.
64. Registration and procedures for reporting of weather observations.
65. Use of weather information in the planning of a voyage.
66. Standard requirements set forth in Chapter A-VIII of STCW Convention code on taking over, keeping, and handing over of the watch, and requirements on the watchkeeping.
67. Requirements, application, and purposes of COLREG Convention.
68. Use of information, obtained through navigation systems, to carry out the watch duties.
69. Notification procedure according to the general principles on ship notification systems and vessel traffic service (VTS) procedures.
70. Procedures for filling in the log book of the ship.
71. Settings of the radio-locator and ARPA, and their adjustment to the current circumstances.
72. Requirements specified in COLREG Convention.
73. ECDIS functions, their correct use in the current circumstances.
74. Vocabulary in English.
75. English grammar and orthography.
76. Business communication etiquette in English.
77. Communication in English in different work and social situations.
78. Maritime terminology in English.
79. Standard marine communication phrases of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO).
80. Initial assessment of ship damages and types of their repair.
81. Procedures for the rescue of the ship and persons, to provide assistance to other ship in distress, and emergency response at the harbour.
82. Initial measures to be undertaken after a collision or grounding of a ship.
83. Precautionary measures for the protection and safety of passengers in emergency situations.
84. Organisation of emergency situation alert drills on a ship.
85. Man overboard rescue manoeuvers and procedures.
86. Berthing and unbearthing procedures.
87. Anchoring procedures.
88. Procedures for the preparation of cargo holds for loading of different cargos.
89. Procedures for the preparation of cargo handling equipment for loading and unloading of a cargo.
90. International requirements for safe handling and stowage of dangerous, hazardous, and harmful cargoes.
91. Cargo fastenings, their types, and application.
92. Ship inspection procedures.
93. Types, causes, and elimination of corrosion.
94. Notification procedures.
95. IMO standard marine communication phrases.
96. Signals specified in the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
97. Procedures for the registration of notifications.
98. Signals specified in the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
99. Procedures for the mitigation the consequences of false signals.
100. Procedures for testing of GMDSS equipment.
101. Procedures for filling in the GMDSS radio log book.
102. Signals specified in the International Code of Signals (INTERCO).
103. Procedures for the transmission of the distress signal.
104. Search and rescue radio communications, including the procedures set forth in Volume III of IAMSAR Manual.
105. Precautionary measures to prevent pollution of marine environment.
106. Regulations and procedures for filling in the relevant ship log books, including oil and waste record book.
107. Procedures for the treatment of water, waste water, and waste containing oil products.
108. Regulations and procedure for the operation of equipment and other devices for the treatment of water, waste water, and waste containing oil products.
109. Notification procedure in the event of leakages or pollution.
110. Action plan in the event of the leakage of oil and other products (SOPEP, SMPEP, etc.).
111. Distribution of the equipment for the repair and containment of leakages on a ship, and their proper and correct use.
112. Pro-active measures in the protection of marine environment.
113. Information on ship’s stability.
114. Application of tables and diagrams of ship’s stability, trim, and loads.
115. Fire safety on the ship.
116. Classification, operating principles, and application of fire-fighting systems available on the ship.
117. Action in the event of fire and fire-fighting methods, including the cases where fire is related to oil product and other systems.
118. Organisation of fire alarm drills on a ship.
119. Organisation of ship evacuation alarm drills.
120. Duties during the evacuation of the ship and rescue alarm.
121. Survival techniques at sea.
122. Procedures for lowering, lifting, and operating of survival craft and rescue boats.
123. Use of the equipment of survival craft and rescue boats, including radio equipment, emergency beacons EPIRB, radio location transponder SART, immersion suits, and thermal protective equipment.
124. Use of the medical guides for ships (IMGS, MFAG, etc.).
125. First aid provision techniques, including in the event of electrical injuries.
126. Consultation with the coastal medical institutions and efficient use of the obtained information when providing first aid on a ship.
127. Requirements set forth in the international and national laws and regulations regarding the safety of human life at sea, protection, and the prevention of pollution of marine environment.
128. Task performance and workload management.
129. Efficient management and application of resources.
130. Work organisation and sub-ordination on a ship.
131. Principles of efficient communication.
132. Principles of the management and training of the staff of the ship.
133. Decision-making methods.
134. Use of labour protection equipment.
135. Labour and health protection requirements at the workplace, including confined spaces, at altitude, etc..
136. Labour protection requirements applicable when using hand tools and measuring instruments.
137. Importance and methods of work environment risk assessment.
138. Indicators and methods of good working practice.
139. Importance of work permits and the procedure for their acquisition.
140. Electrical safety regulations.
141. Dissuasive measures for ship and staff safety regarding hazard caused by electromagnetic and non-ionising radiation.

GENERAL knowledge

At the comprehension level:
142. Structure and operating principles of computers and office equipment.
143. Types of cyber threats on a ship.
144. Application of the guidelines of the Baltic and International Maritime Council (BIMCO) etc. for the enhancement of cyber security on a ship.
145. Physical phenomena and processes, as well as their causes and regularities.
146. Chemical phenomena and processes, as well as their causes and regularities.
147. Characteristics of different cultures.
148. Stress and its effects on health and work quality.
149. Fatigue and its effects on health and work quality.
150. IMO Guidelines on fatigue mitigation and management.
151. Application of the guidelines by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), etc. for health care on a ship developed.
152. Social and political structure of society.
153. Principles of democracy
154. Principles of human rights.
155. Principles of promoting sustainable development of society.
156. Values that unify society.
157. Social diversity and the principle of equality.
158. Basic principles of national security.
159. National security and its specificity nowadays.
160. Principles of the rule of law.
161. Learning strategies.
162. Professional career development and its importance.
163. Basic principles of economics.
164. Basic principles of logistics.
165. Basics of commercial activity.
166. Principles of professional ethics.

At the application level:
167. Latvian grammar and orthography.
168. Business communication etiquette in Latvian.
169. Communication in Latvian in different work and social situations.
170. Maritime terminology in Latvian.
171. Scope of application and functionality of office and special application software.
172. Analysis of information and data.
173. Concept of cyber hygiene and regulations on the use and safety of information and communication technologies.
174. Methods and principles of application of mathematical measurements and calculations.
175. Algebraic and geometric measurements and calculations.
176. Principles of mathematical logic and analytics.
177. Principles of the use of measuring instruments.
178. Application and conversion of units of measurement.
179. Reading of technical drawings and use of manuals of ship mechanisms.
180. Principles of technical drawing and sketching.
181. Methods for resolving physical problems.
182. Chemical properties of substances and types of chemical reactions.
183. Types of corrosion and protection methods.
184. Ethical standards and their application.
185. Social standards and their application.
186. Principles of efficient communication.
187. Conflicts and their resolution methods.
188. Intercultural interaction.
189. Active and healthy lifestyle.
190. Safe, healthy, and wholesome nutrition.
191. Personal hygiene.
192. Health protection.
193. Good quality rest and sleep as precondition for stress and fatigue mitigation.
194. Sources of sectoral information.
195. Analysis the information about the specific area and identification of knowledge and skills that are necessary or need to be updated.
196. Teaching/learning and career planning.
197. Requirements set forth in international and national laws and regulations regarding maritime work and labour law.
198. Rights, obligations, and liability of the employer and employee.
199. Conditions of a labour contract.

PROFESSIONAL skills

1. To select navigational charts with the most appropriate scale.
2. To correct navigational charts and publications according to the latest available information.
3. To obtain, correctly interpret, and use all the necessary information from the navigational charts and publications.
4. To identify all potential navigational hazards during the voyage.
5. To develop the ship voyage plan in compliance with the general principles of ships’ routeing.
6. To use the most appropriate method for the location of the ship by taking into account the permissible errors of tools and systems.
7. To verify the obtained location of the ship after proper time intervals.
8. To verify the operation of navigation systems in compliance with the recommendations by the manufacturer and good navigation practice.
9. To use an echo sounder to determine the depth.
10. To determine the adjustments of the magnetic compass and gyrocompass.
11. To adjust the course and bearing of a ship by means of the relevant adjustments of the magnetic compass and gyrocompass.
12. To select the most appropriate steering control mode depending on the current weather, sea, and traffic conditions, and the planned maneoeuvres.
13. To interpret and use the weather information in a correct manner.
14. To take over, carry out, and hand over the navigation watch in compliance with the ship procedures and the requirements set forth in the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREG) of 1972 and STCW Convention.
15. To maintain look-out according to ship procedures and the requirements set forth in STCW and COLREG Convention.
16. To use navigation lights, signs, sounds, and light signals.
17. To keep the ship log book and make other notes.
18. To interpret and analyse the information, obtained by a radio-locator and ARPA, in a correct manner.
19. To avoid proximity of ships by taking into account the information, obtained by a radio-locator and ARPA.
20. To interpret and analyse the information, obtained by ECDIS, in a correct manner.
21. To install electronic charts and update the electronic chart data by means of the latest available chart adjustments.
22. To clearly and understandably communicate in English with other ships, coast stations, traffic services, the ship crew, and other persons involved in the operations of the ship when performing the work duties.
23. To follow the principles of business communication in English both orally and in writing.
24. To use and correctly interpret maritime and other publications, as well as other ship safety notifications in English.
25. To determine the type and extent of an emergency situation.
26. To immediately recognise a distress signal.
27. To act in compliance with the action plans and procedures of the ship to be implemented in emergency situations.
28. To perform the evacuation of the staff immediately and depending on the type of emergency situation.
29. To perform emergency stopping and isolation of the machinery immediately and depending on the type of emergency situation.
30. To act according to the scale of priorities depending on the type of emergency situation and the level of urgency of the issue.
31. To inform the staff of the ship depending on the type of emergency situation.
32. To prepare notifications depending on the type of emergency situation.
33. To use the International Code of Signals (INTERCO) when transmitting and receiving distress signals.
34. To transmit and receive the Morse code light distress signal “SOS” and single-letter signals.
35. To navigate the ship in different navigation conditions by ensuring navigational safety.
36. To analyse the effects of external factors on the manoeuvrability of the ship.
37. To implement ship berthing operations.
38. To implement ship anchoring operations.
39. To take part in the crew instruction on the cargo to be loaded, its characteristics, safe handling, and precautionary measures during cargo operations.
40. To prepare the cargo holds for loading of a cargo.
41. To inspect the cargo handling equipment prior to the loading and unloading of a cargo.
42. To prepare the cargo handling equipment for the loading and unloading of a cargo.
43. To control the loading and unloading of a cargo in collaboration with the shore-based staff.
44. To control the implementation of the cargo plan during the cargo operations.
45. To operate the cargo handling equipment in a safe manner.
46. To use the most appropriate types of cargo fastenings and cargo securing methods.
47. To secure a cargo in compliance with the requirements specified in the Cargo Securing Manual.
48. To supervise the securing of a cargo in compliance with the requirements specified in the Cargo Securing Manual.
49. To verify the condition of the fastenings prior to the departure of the berth of the ship.
50. To supervise the condition of the cargo and its fastenings during the voyage.
51. To analyse the effects of external factors on the characteristics of a cargo.
52. To ensure appropriate conditions for the cargo (temperature, level of humidity, ventilation, etc.).
53. To verify the technical condition of cargo holds, hatch covers, and ballast tanks.
54. To recognise the damages and defects of cargo holds, hatch covers, and ballast tanks.
55. To report the detected defects and damages.
56. To use GMDSS equipment according to its operating manuals and the navigation area.
57. To formulate the contents a notification clearly and accurately by using IMO standard marine communication phrases.
58. To correctly process the received notifications related to the safety and protection of the ship and persons on board, and the protection of marine environment.
59. To undertake dissuasive measures to prevent the transmission of false distress alarms.
60. To cancel a false distress signal.
61. To test the GMDSS equipment in compliance with its operating manuals.
62. To verify the technical condition and work parameters of the backup energy sources.
63. To identify the damages of the GMDSS equipment.
64. To make records in the GMDSS radio log book on the received and transmitted notifications.
65. To document the inspections and tests of the operation of GMDSS equipment.
66. To transmit a distress signal.
67. To successfully ensure radio communication in the event of the evacuation of the ship, fire, and fully or partially damaged GMDSS equipment.
68. To supervise the implementation of the operations of the ship by ensuring full compliance with the requirements set forth in the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Convention) of 1973 and national laws and regulations.
69. To keep the relevant ship log books, including oil and waste record book.
70. To immediately act in compliance with MARPOL Convention, the requirements set forth in the national laws and regulations, and ship procedures in the event of leakages or pollution.
71. To maintain good reputation of the ship in the field of the prevention of environmental pollution.
72. To ensure the compliance of ship’s stability with IMO initial stability criteria for ships.
73. To ensure the water tightness of the ship in compliance with general maritime practice.
74. To make fire safety rounds.
75. To immediately and correctly determine the type and extent of fire.
76. To act according to the action plans and procedures of the ship in the event of fire.
77. To act immediately during the evacuation and rescue alarm on the ship, according to the list of ship alarms.
78. To operate survival craft and rescue boats in compliance with the general safety practice and standards.
79. To use the equipment of survival craft and rescue boats depending on the circumstances, in compliance with the general safety practice and standards.
80. To immediately and correctly identify the possible causes, types, and extent of injuries and illnesses.
81. To provide first aid by using medical guides for ships and consulting the coastal medical institutions, if necessary.
82. To correctly identify the requirements set forth in the laws and regulations regarding the safety of human life at sea, protection, and the prevention of pollution of marine environment.
83. To ensure the compliance with the requirements set forth in the laws and regulations regarding the safety of human life at sea, protection, and the prevention of pollution of marine environment.
84. To allocate duties to the members of the team.
85. To inform the members of the team of the standards of the works to be carried out and the expected action within the scope of their duties and capabilities.
86. To train the members of the team depending on their competence, capabilities, and duties.
87. To plan works and distribute resources depending on the scale of priorities.
88. To hand over and receive the information necessary to carry out the work duties in a clear and unequivocal manner.
89. To manage the team efficiently.
90. To ensure accurate and equal comprehension of the operating mode of the ship and external environmental conditions among the members of team involved in the work performance.
91. To take the most efficient decisions in the specific situation.
92. To justify own opinion and act accordingly in a situation subject to a dispute.
93. To use the appropriate personal and collective protective equipment in a correct manner.
94. To identify the work environment risks.
95. To comply with the labour protection requirements.
96. To comply with electrical safety regulations when operating electrical equipment and devices.

GENERAL skills

97. To communicate in Latvian in a clear and understandable manner.
98. To follow the principles of business communication in Latvian both orally and in writing.
99. To use and correctly interpret national maritime publications and other professional editions.
100. To prepare documents according to the sample, by using office application software.
101. To work with special application software.
102. To communicate by means of information and communication technologies.
103. To criticly evaluate reliability of information and data critically.
104. To comply with the security and cyber hygiene regarding the use of information and communication technologies.
105. To resolve practical exercises in mathematics.
106. To resolve practical exercises in physics.
107. To resolve practical exercises in applied chemistry.
108. To comply with social and ethical standards.
109. To communicate efficiently in a multicultural environment.
110. To care for own personal health.
111. To engage in work for the benefit of society.
112. To apply the principles of national security and defense and strengthen own civil awareness.
113. To follow the changes of laws and regulations, and other topicalities in the relevant field.
114. To assess the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the professional duties.
115. To acquire knowledge and skills necessary to maintain and improve the qualification.
116. To assess the potential economic risks when planning the voyage of a ship and carrying a cargo.
117. To carry out own work tasks by focusing on the achievement of the common goal.
118. To apply international and national laws and regulations regarding employment relationship.
119. To comply with the contractual liabilities, obligations, and rights of the employer and employee.

PROFESSIONAL competences

1. Ability to plan and implement the voyage of the ship by using all available information and navigation equipment.
2. maintain safe navigational watch in compliance with the international laws and regulations and ship procedures in force.
3. Ability to use a radio-locator and ARPA to ensure safe navigation by correctly interpreting and analysing the information obtained by means of a radio-locator and ARPA.
4. Ability to use the electronic chart display and information system to plan and implement the voyage thus ensuring safe navigation.
5. Ability to communicate in English in a clear and understandable manner both orally and in writing by using the maritime terminology and IMO standard marine communication phrases, and following the principles of business communication.
6. Ability to plan the actions and act in emergency situations depending on their type and extent, and in compliance with the action plans and procedures of the ship, and inform and evacuate the staff.
7. Ability to apply visual signalling devices and equipment depending on the current situation.
8. Ability to manoeuvre the ship in a safe manner in different navigation conditions by taking into account and analysing the effects of external factors, in compliance with general maritime practice.
9. Ability to prepare the cargo holds and cargo handling equipment for the loading and unloading of a cargo in compliance with the procedures and provided instruction.
10. Ability to control the loading and unloading of a cargo in compliance with the requirements for safe cargo handling and the cargo plan.
11. Ability to secure a cargo safely, as well as supervise their securing in compliance with the requirements specified in the Cargo Securing Manual.
12. Ability to control and ensure conditions necessary for a cargo during the voyage by taking into account the characteristics of the cargo, the effects of external factors on them, and cargo handling instructions.
13. Ability to inspect cargo holds, hatch covers, and ballast tanks of the ship by recognising the potential damages and defects and reporting them according to the specified procedure.
14. Ability to transmit and receive information in a successful and expedient manner by using GMDSS equipment of the ship in compliance with its operating manuals and the requirements specified in international laws and regulations.
15. Ability to preclude transmission of misleading information by means of GMDSS equipment of the ship.
16. Ability to inspect and test GMDSS equipment of the ship in compliance with its operating manuals and international requirements.
17. Ability to maintain the GMDSS radio log book by documenting the received and transmitted notifications and the inspections and tests of the operation of GMDSS equipment.
18. Ability to successfully ensure radio communication with other ships and coast stations in emergency situations.
19. Ability to comply with the requirements for the prevention of pollution of the marine environment according to the requirements set forth in MARPOL Convention, the national laws and regulations, and ship procedures.
20. Ability to ensure and maintain the seaworthiness of the ship in compliance with IMO initial stability criteria for ships and general maritime practice.
21. Ability to eliminate, control, and extinguish fire on the ship according to the action plans and procedures of the ship in the event of fire.
22. Ability to use survival craft and its equipment depending on the circumstances, in compliance with general safety practice and standards.
23. Ability to immediately provide first aid on the ship by reducing the danger to life of the victim to a minimum.
24. Ability to identify and ensure the compliance with the requirements set forth in laws and regulations regarding the safety of human life at sea, protection, and the prevention of pollution of marine environment.
25. Ability to work in a team efficiently, as well as apply managerial working skills when planning and carrying out the works on the ship.
26. Ability to promote safety of the staff and ship by using appropriate labour protection equipment, anticipating work environment risks prior to the performance of work, in compliance with maritime safety and labour protection requirements and procedures

GENERAL competences

27. Ability to communicate in the official language in a clear and understandable manner both orally and in writing when carrying out the work duties by using the maritime terminology and following the principles of business communication.
28. Ability to use information and communication technologies efficiently and safely when carrying out the work duties by evaluating the reliability of the available information and data.
29. Ability to resolve practical exercises when carrying out the work duties by making mathematical calculations, using measuring instruments, and comprehending and analysing physical and chemical processes.
30. Ability to follow social and civil principles when being in a multicultural environment and engaging in social life.
31. Ability to assess the knowledge and skills necessary to carry out the professional duties, and constantly maintain and improve own professional qualification.
32. Ability to carry out the work tasks in compliance with the principles of entrepreneurship by focusing on the achievement of the common goal.
33. Ability to identify the applicable standards regarding employment relationship and comply with them according to the requirements set forth in the international and national laws and regulations.