STCW: Operational Level and Management Level — Practical Guidance for Seafarers and Shipowners
The STCW Convention (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) establishes minimum international requirements for the training, certification, and watchkeeping of seafarers. One of the core principles of STCW is the division of officer competence and responsibility into Operational Level and Management Level.For seafarers, this distinction directly affects:
eligibility for specific shipboard positions;
career progression;
compliance with flag state requirements;
outcomes of Port State Control (PSC) inspections.
This article follows a classical, conservative international approach, strictly based on STCW provisions and commonly applied by flag administrations, including Panama, Malta, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands.
What Operational Level Means Under STCW
Operational Level refers to the level at which an officer:
carries out navigational or engineering watchkeeping duties;
operates shipboard systems and equipment;
performs tasks in accordance with approved procedures and instructions;
works under the overall direction of Management Level officers.
Operational Level does not involve overall management of the vessel or a shipboard team, nor does it include authority for strategic decision-making.
STCW Regulatory Basis for Operational Level
Section A-II/1 — Deck department (Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch)
Section A-III/1 — Engine-room team (Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch)
What Management Level Means Under STCW
Management Level is the level of responsibility at which an officer:
manages the vessel or a specific shipboard team;
plans, organizes, and supervises work activities;
makes decisions affecting the safety of the ship, crew, cargo, and the environment;
ensures compliance with STCW, the ISM Code, and company procedures.
Management Level requires a valid Certificate of Competency, issued or recognized by the flag administration.
STCW Regulatory Basis for Management Level
Section A-II/2 — Deck department
Section A-III/2 — Engine-room team
Deck Department and STCW: Chief Mate as an Example
The Chief Mate (Chief Officer) is classified under STCW exclusively as a Management Level position in accordance with Section A-II/2.The Chief Mate’s responsibilities include:
management of the deck team;
responsibility for cargo operations and vessel stability;
voyage planning and navigational preparation;
oversight of ISM Code and SMS implementation;
supervision of Operational Level officers.
All of these duties are clearly defined by STCW as management functions.
Can a Chief Mate Serve with an Operational Level Certificate?
No.An Operational Level Certificate (A-II/1):
does not authorize service as Chief Mate;
cannot be replaced by experience or internal company appointment;
is not accepted by flag administrations for a Management Level position.
Engine-Room Team: Position Structure
In international practice, the following engine-room team structure is applied:
Chief Engineer (CE)
Second Engineer (2/E)
Third Engineer (3/E)
Fourth Engineer (4/E)
STCW Level Allocation Within the Engine-Room Team
Management Level — Section A-III/2
Chief Engineer (CE)
Second Engineer (2/E)
Operational Level — Section A-III/1
Third Engineer (3/E)
Fourth Engineer (4/E)
Key STCW principle for the engine-room team:
Second Engineer is a Management Level position, Third and Fourth Engineers are Operational Level positions.
Compliance Between STCW Certificate and Position Held
STCW is based on the fundamental principle that:
the level of certification must correspond to the level of the position held;
practical performance of duties does not replace formal certification;
responsibility is determined by STCW certification level, not by sea service alone.
Appointment of an officer to a Management Level position without an appropriate Management Level Certificate of Competency constitutes non-compliance with STCW requirements.
Flag State and Port State Control Practice
Flag administrations, including Panama, Malta, Liberia, and the Marshall Islands:
strictly apply the distinction between Operational and Management Levels;
verify that certificates correspond to the positions held;
do not recognize “acting” or “temporary” appointments without proper certification.
During PSC inspections, such non-compliance may be recorded as a deficiency and may affect vessel operations.
Conclusion
The division between Operational Level and Management Level is a fundamental principle of the STCW Convention and determines:
eligibility for shipboard positions;
scope of responsibility;
training and certification requirements.
A clear understanding of these requirements allows seafarers to plan their careers correctly and enables shipowners to maintain full compliance with flag state and international regulations.This article is for informational purposes only and is based on publicly available IMO and Flag State guidance. It does not constitute official flag state instruction or legal advice.
