General Purpose Rating
General Purpose (GP) Rating
The crew route — typically six months of pre-sea training, subject to the approved programme.
About GP Rating
The General Purpose Rating course prepares candidates for entry-level deck and engine department duties aboard merchant ships. Training includes practical seamanship, safety procedures, shipboard operations and engine-room familiarisation.
Training duration: As per the approved course and current intake.
- Practical maritime and shipboard training.
- Deck and engine department familiarisation.
- Safety training as prescribed by the programme.
- Career opportunities subject to qualifications, certification and recruitment requirements.
Who Can Apply for GP Rating?
Applicants must meet the current Directorate General of Shipping eligibility requirements applicable to the approved training programme.
- Required educational qualification.
- Prescribed minimum marks and subjects.
- Applicable age and medical fitness criteria.
- Eyesight and other medical standards as required.
What You Will Learn
- Basic seamanship and deck operations.
- Engine-room familiarisation.
- Personal safety and emergency procedures.
- Shipboard discipline and teamwork.
- Practical training under the approved curriculum.
Where It Leads
After successfully completing training and meeting the applicable certification and employment requirements, candidates may pursue eligible entry-level shipboard rating positions.
- GP Rating Trainee Complete the approved pre-sea course.
- Entry-Level Shipboard Rating Secure qualifying employment and sea service.
- Watchkeeping Rating Meet the applicable training, sea-service and certification requirements.
- Experienced Rating Progress through the relevant rating certification pathway.