Working on Cayman Islands-flagged vessels

3. Where to Get the Training?

The Cayman Islands Maritime Authority (MACI) recognises courses from Virtual Maritime Academy (VMA) for theoretical and regulatory training on its Cayman-flag vessels. MACI does not specifically approve individual course providers for the practical STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) modules — these are accepted from any training centre that holds IMO whitelist recognition. Below is the position-by-position breakdown of required training and recommended providers.

Master / Chief Mate (STCW II/2 — Management level)

According to the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations and MACI certification standards, Master and Chief Mate must hold a STCW II/2 certificate of competency, plus the following short courses:

• ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids) — radar observation at operational level
• GMDSS (General Operator's Certificate) — radio operations
• BRM (Bridge Resource Management) — bridge team leadership
• ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display) — if serving on ECDIS-fitted ships
• Medical Care — STCW A-VI/4-2
• ISM Code in Practice — for senior officers responsible for Safety Management Systems

Virtual Maritime Academy — Canadian Rules & Regulations for Foreign Deck Officers (Leadership) covers the regulatory modules that MACI assesses for foreign endorsement. Use code libertydreams for 10% off.

Virtual Maritime Academy — ISM/ISPS/MLC Lead Auditor (ISO 19011:2026) is recognised for management-level deck officers seeking to qualify for internal audit and DPA roles under the ISM Code.

For the foundational STCW Basic Safety Training (BST), generic providers holding IMO whitelist recognition are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's STCW BST Bundle is one such provider offering the standard BST modules from any IMO-recognised training centre (including the four basic modules required for all seafarers).

OOW / Watchkeeping Mate (STCW II/1 — Operational level)

According to the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations and MACI certification standards, OOWs need STCW II/1 plus:

• ARPA (Automatic Radar Plotting Aids)
• GMDSS (General Operator's Certificate) — unless restricted to non-GMDSS ships
• BRM (Bridge Resource Management)
• ECDIS (if serving on ECDIS-fitted ships)
• Navigation Systems and Instruments (NS-I) — for deck officer foundational training

Virtual Maritime Academy — Canadian Rules & Regulations for Deck Officers (Operational Level) is recognised for operational-level foreign officers. Use code libertydreams for 10% off.

Virtual Maritime Academy — Navigation Systems and Instruments (NS-I) provides foundational STCW II/1 knowledge for operational-level deck officers.

Chief Engineer / Second Engineer (STCW III/2 — Management level)

According to the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations and MACI certification standards, Chief and Second Engineer must hold a STCW III/2 certificate of competency, plus:

• ERM (Engine Room Resource Management)
• High Voltage Safety — if serving on high-voltage installations
• Oil/Chemical/Gas Tanker Cargo Handling — if serving on tankers (per STCW V/1-1, V/1-2)
• ISM Code in Practice — for senior engineers responsible for Safety Management Systems

Virtual Maritime Academy — Canadian Rules & Regulations for Foreign Officers and Engineers (Leadership) covers the regulatory modules for foreign engineers seeking MACI endorsement. Use code libertydreams for 10% off.

Virtual Maritime Academy — ISM/ISPS/MLC Internal Auditor provides audit training for senior engineers managing Safety Management Systems onboard Cayman-flag vessels.

OICEW / Watchkeeping Engineer (STCW III/1 — Operational level)

According to the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations and MACI certification standards, OICEWs need STCW III/1 plus:

• ERM (Engine Room Resource Management)
• High Voltage Familiarisation — if applicable

Virtual Maritime Academy — Canadian Rules & Regulations for Foreign Officers and Engineers (Operational Level) covers the regulatory modules for operational-level foreign engineers.

Able Seafarer Deck / Engine (Ratings, STCW II/5 / III/5)

According to the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations and MACI certification standards, all ratings must hold STCW BST, with role-specific additions. Able Seafarer Deck requires:

• STCW BST (Basic Safety Training) — all four modules (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR)
• Security Awareness — STCW VI/6, A-VI/6-1
• Watchkeeping — ratings forming part of a watch

Virtual Maritime Academy — Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers (PSA / VPWoSR) satisfies STCW VI/6, A-VI/6-1 for all ratings serving on Cayman-flag vessels.

For the foundational STCW BST modules, Marine Pro Academy's STCW BST Bundle is one of many IMO whitelist providers accepted by MACI — BST is generic across all flags.

GMDSS Radio Operator (STCW IV/2)

According to MACI certification standards, GMDSS operators must hold a STCW IV/2 certificate (GMDSS General Operator's Certificate or Restricted Operator's Certificate). No additional short courses are required beyond the CoC itself, but BRM is recommended for those operating in high-traffic areas.

For GMDSS theory and exam preparation, generic providers holding IMO whitelist recognition are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's GMDSS General Operator's Certificate course is one such option.

Ship's Cook / Chief Steward (MLC catering)

According to MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 and MACI catering certification standards, Ship's Cooks and Chief Stewards handling food preparation must hold:

• Ships Cook Certificate — meeting MLC 2006 Reg 3.2 training requirements
• Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (HACCP) — for galley crew

For Ships Cook certification and Food Safety training, generic IMO and MLC-recognised providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Ships Cook Certificate and Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (HACCP) course are two such options meeting MLC 2006 standards.

ETO / ETR (Electro-Technical department)

According to MACI certification standards and STCW III/6 (Electro-Technical Officer) and STCW III/7 (Electro-Technical Rating), ETOs and ETRs must hold:

• STCW III/6 (ETO) or STCW III/7 (ETR) certificate of competency
• High Voltage Safety — for engineers on high-voltage installations
• Engine Room Resource Management — recommended

For ETO/ETR foundational training, generic providers holding IMO whitelist recognition are accepted by MACI. No VMA-specific courses currently exist for ETO/ETR; consult MACI for the latest approved training pathway.

Security Training (all designated personnel)

According to the ISPS Code and MACI security standards, personnel with designated security duties must complete:

• Security Awareness (PSA / VPWoSR) — STCW VI/6, A-VI/6-1 — for all personnel on security-coded vessels
• Designated Security Duties (DSD) — STCW VI/6, A-VI/6-2 — for personnel with specific security duties
• Ship Security Officer (SSO) — ISPS Code — for shipboard SSO roles
• Company Security Officer (CSO) — ISPS Code — for designated CSO roles
• Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) — ISPS Code — for port facility personnel

Virtual Maritime Academy — Security Awareness Training for All Seafarers (PSA / VPWoSR) satisfies STCW VI/6, A-VI/6-1 for all personnel on Cayman-flag vessels.

Virtual Maritime Academy — Company Security Officer (CSO) Online Course provides the regulatory framework for designated CSO roles under the ISPS Code.

Virtual Maritime Academy — Port Facility Security Officer (PFSO) Course qualifies port facility personnel for PFSO roles under the ISPS Code.

For practical STCW security modules (DSD, SSO), generic IMO whitelist providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Designated Security Duties (DSD) and Ship Security Officer (SSO) courses are two such options meeting the STCW VI/6 and ISPS Code standards.

Medical Training

According to MACI medical fitness standards and STCW VI/4 requirements, all seafarers must complete medical training appropriate to their designated role:

• Elementary First Aid (EFA) — STCW VI/1, A-VI/1-3 — required for all seafarers
• Medical First Aid (MFA) — STCW VI/4-1 — for designated first aid officers
• Medical Care On Board — STCW VI/4-2 — for officers with primary medical responsibility

For medical training, generic providers holding IMO whitelist recognition are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Elementary First Aid (EFA) and Medical Care On Board courses are two such options meeting STCW VI/1 and VI/4 standards.

Passenger Ship Training (if applicable)

According to STCW V/2 and MACI passenger ship certification standards, crew on passenger vessels must complete:

• Crowd Management — STCW V/2, A-V/2-1 — for all passenger vessel crew
• Crisis Management and Human Behaviour — STCW V/2, A-V/2-2 — for senior officers on passenger vessels
• Passenger Ship Safety — for crew with safety-related duties

Virtual Maritime Academy — Passenger Ship Crowd Management Training satisfies STCW V/2, A-V/2-1 for all passenger vessel crew on Cayman-flag passenger ships.

Virtual Maritime Academy — Passenger Ship Crowd, Crisis Management and Human Behaviour satisfies STCW V/2, A-V/2-2 for senior officers on passenger vessels.

For practical Crowd Management drills, generic IMO whitelist providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Crowd Management Training and Crisis Management Training are two such options meeting STCW V/2 standards.

Catering Training (MLC 2006)

According to MLC 2006 Regulation 3.2 and MACI catering standards, all galley and food-handling crew must complete:

• Ships Cook Certificate — MLC 2006 Reg 3.2
• Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (HACCP) — MLC 2006 compliance
• Crowd Management (if on passenger vessels) — STCW V/2, A-V/2-1

For catering training, generic IMO and MLC-recognised providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Ships Cook Certificate, Food Safety and Hygiene Level 2 (HACCP), and Crowd Management Training are three such options meeting MLC 2006 and STCW V/2 standards.

Specialist Courses

According to MACI certification standards and applicable IMO conventions, specialist courses for Cayman-flag vessels include:

• MLC Internal Auditor — for officers implementing MLC provisions onboard
• ISM Code Internal Auditor — for Safety Management System audits
• ISPS Lead Internal Auditor (ISO 2026) — for ISPS Code audits
• Designated Person Ashore (DPA) — ISM Code compliance for shore-based personnel

Virtual Maritime Academy — MLC Internal Auditor Online Course provides the regulatory framework for officers implementing MLC 2006 provisions onboard Cayman-flag vessels.

Virtual Maritime Academy — ISM/ISPS/MLC Lead Auditor (ISO 19011:2026) qualifies senior officers for Safety Management System audits.

Virtual Maritime Academy — Designated Person Ashore (DPA) Course covers ISM Code compliance for shore-based personnel overseeing Safety Management Systems.

For practical specialist training modules, generic IMO whitelist providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Bridge Resource Management, Engine Room Resource Management, and High Voltage Training are three such options.

Refresher Training

According to STCW Reg I/11 and MACI certification standards, seafarers must complete refresher training at intervals defined by STCW:

• Basic Safety Training (BST) refresher — every 5 years (PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR)
• Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) refresher — every 5 years
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB) refresher — every 5 years
• Security Awareness (PSA) refresher — every 5 years

For STCW refresher modules, generic IMO whitelist providers are accepted by MACI. Marine Pro Academy's Personal Survival Techniques (PSSR) refresher and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF) refresher are two such options meeting STCW Reg I/11 standards.

4. How to apply for the endorsement

MACI issues STCW endorsements through the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations. The process is:

• Submit your existing CoC (Certificate of Competency) to MACI Marine Safety, with proof of sea service and training records.
• Provide proof of sea service — typically 12 months in the past 5 years for operational-level; 36 months for management-level.
• Provide training records for STCW short courses.
• Pass a MACI-approved medical examination (see § 5).
• If applying from a non-white-list country, complete gap training or sit oral examinations at a MACI-approved examination centre.

Processing time: 2 to 4 weeks for white-list applicants; longer if gap training or examinations are required.

Apply through: Maritime Authority of the Cayman Islands.

Foreign Endorsement (Regla I/10 STCW)

Per Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention and the Merchant Shipping (Crew) Regulations, MACI recognises STCW certificates issued by other Parties to the Convention. The process requires:

• Verification of the original certificate through the issuing administration
• MACI issues a Cayman Islands endorsement equivalent to the foreign certificate

The Cayman Islands is a UK Overseas Territory, and its maritime legislation closely mirrors the UK's Merchant Shipping Act 1995 framework. This alignment means that certificates issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) of the United Kingdom are generally straightforward to have endorsed by MACI.

For broader context, compare Cayman Islands certification requirements with other flag states, and review your flag state options before applying.

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