Some certificates aren't tied to a specific ship type but to a specific task or piece of equipment.
Dynamic Positioning (DP) Operator Certificate
On offshore support vessels, cable-laying ships and some special-purpose vessels, computer control keeps the ship's propellers/thrusters holding a fixed position (without anchoring). Officers who run this system hold a DP Operator Certificate. It isn't under STCW — it's issued under IMCA and Nautical Institute standards, and progresses in stages (DP Induction → Simulator → Watchkeeping experience → Unlimited).
GOC / ROC (Maritime Radio Operation)
- GOC (General Operator's Certificate): Authorises use of all GMDSS features; mandatory for bridge officers on ships sailing in unlimited sea areas.
- ROC (Restricted Operator's Certificate): A simpler radio certificate for smaller vessels operating within limited range near the coast.
REO (Radar Endorsement / ARPA)
An additional qualification confirming competence in radar and ARPA (automatic radar plotting aid) use; usually required alongside GOC/ROC for most watchkeeping officer positions.
Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate
Not a certificate as such, but a frequently required document — the international vaccination card required to enter certain ports in Africa and South America.
