Certificates of Competency

There are often different ways to obtain the correct papers. In the articles on this website and in the flow chart, we indicate the most commonly used and logical routes. If you have a unique route, if you come from the merchant navy, or if you cannot find the answer on this website, please send an email to info@ezs.nl.

To the right, you will find a flow chart of the common routes to obtain papers. Below, you can read a general explanation. You will also find much more information in the articles about Certificates of Competency at sea, Certificates of Competency for inland waterways, other certificates, and expired certificates.

Certificate of Theory (Kennisbewijs): you obtain this after completing all exams (within 4 years).

Certificate of Competency (Bekwaamheidsbewijs): To obtain this, you must sail for a total of at least 180 days (KZV) or 360 days (GZV) and complete a Training Record Book (Task Book). Sea time may be collected in the period from 4 years before to 4 years after obtaining your Certificate of Theory.

Important points regarding the Training Record Book are as follows:

• the sailing days must be signed off on a ship (or ships) sailing under class or deployed as a ‘Training Vessel’. Contact us to see if the ship you are sailing on qualifies;
• part of this sea time (max. half for the KZV) may be signed off on inland waterways and/or on mechanically propelled vessels (motor vessels). Naturally, only those tasks applicable to the situation may be signed off;
• the Certificate of Competency must be applied for within four years of obtaining your Certificate of Theory (signed-off tasks are therefore a maximum of 4 years old);
• you may also have sea time and tasks signed off (max. 4 years) before you start school!
• You must demonstrate the RNOL (Radar Navigator Operational Level) certificate. We organize this course several times a year.
• You must have participated in the KZV Skills Day or have applied for an exemption for this.

Task Book

When all tasks have been signed off, you come to us (EZS) and submit your Training Record Book together with the application form. You can also send it at your own risk, or (preferably) scan and send it to cosmo@ezs.nl.

We check all completed data and verify the sea time (including contacting the officer or captain who signed off the tasks) and can then issue your Certificate of Competency.

You submit the Certificate of Competency together with all STCW courses and your medical examination to KIWA. Once everything has been checked, you will receive a Certificate of Competency Officer in charge of a navigational watch on sailing ships worldwide (less than 500 GT).

More information about the application procedure can be found on the Kiwa register website.