Course Description

Advanced Diploma in Deck Operations (also leading to OIC Navigational Watch) programme is designed to prepare candidates for a career in the maritime sector.
The Advanced Diploma is a 2 year full time course and the qualification is issued by MCAST, whilst the programme also prepares candidates as sea cadets with a further 12 month sea placement and Transport Malta written exams including the final oral exam to qualify for the ultimate maritime qualification with the Certificate of Competence as an Officer In Charge of a Navigational Watch (unlimited) on ocean-going merchant vessels. This qualification is issued by Transport Malta (Maritime) Authority.
Candidates can opt to take the course leading to Officer In Charge of Navigational Watch alone and sit for Transport Malta examinations OR the course leading to Advanced Diploma in Deck Operations alone and sit for MCAST examinations OR both with full qualifications.
It is to be noted that those candidates taking the Advanced Diploma in Deck Operations course will not be entitled to work as navigation ship officers.
The course consists of a number of maritime related subjects such as Navigation, Meteorology, Signals, Ship Knowledge and Stability, Cargo Operations, International Regulations, and leadership training in which all candidates are expected to participate.
Officer Cadets are expected to wear a merchant marine uniform whilst undergoing training both ashore and on board ships.
Officer Cadets attending the course will be expected to find own ship sponsor for the practical training period at sea during the third phase of training of the course. However, assistance will also be offered.

Career Prospects

Advanced Diploma holders:
Port Inspector,
Terminal Inspector,
GMDSS Operator,
Cargo Operator in Yard/Ship Terminal

Officer In Charge of Navigational Watch (unlimited) holders:
Second Officer onboard Ocean going ships of any size and operations.

Entry Requirements

Internal Progression Route…
MCAST Diploma in Deck Operation
or
Any MCAST MQF Level 3 Diploma offered by the Institute of Engineering and Transport

OR

4 SEC / SSQ&P or equivalent with a Pass Grade / Level 3
Compulsory: Physics AND Mathematics AND English Language

At point of application, all Applicants are expected to present a full Medical Clearance, as per Protocol issued by Transport Malta

Students must reach the age of 18 years prior to start of sea experience

Other Important matters to be noted and considered:

Medical Test Document required when submitting an application for this course…. this is a Transport Malta Requirement and hence the document which you will be making use of is a Transport Malta document (without which your application for the MCAST course cannot be processed).

VERY IMPORTANT ATTENTION should you wish to submit a course application for this programme of study (during Main Call for FT Course Admissions, closing on 25 August 2025):

Before you submit an application for this course, you need to download this document (click on download button hereunder).

Print the .pdf document, and take with you to a Qualified Medical Practitioner of your choice.  This is to be filled in and signed by the GP. Where applicant is under 18 years of age on date of application the parents / guardians must also fill in and sign their consent at the bottom of the form.

A scan of the  filled in and complete document is to be uploaded with all the other documents you need to upload when submitting your  online application for the course.  If this completed (properly filled in)  document (duly endorsed and signed by a Medical Doctor / GP and Parents as required) is not uploaded with your online application for this course, the application cannot be processed and vetted for eligibility.  It would be as if you have not submitted an application for the course (always by the set Main Call Online Course  Application deadline – 25^th August 2025)

Later on after that you will receive the Course Acceptance Offer and would have become an MCAST Registered student, the Original  hardcopy version of the filled-in and signed document is ALSO to be (physically) submitted at the Reception Desk, Institute of Engineering and Transport … Centre for Maritime Studies, Main Campus, Paola, by not later than the first full week of lectures at the mentioned Institute (upon which course you would hve become a Registered MCAST student).

May we remind that,  not submitting a scan of this filled-in document as an upload with your online course application (applications close on 25^th August 2025),  will make your application incomplete and cannot be processed.