Minimum Requirements for entry into the DPO Scheme shall be as follows:

Following the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code, The Nautical Institute (the NI) has implemented the following criteria for entry into the DP Operators training scheme:

The minimum qualification is set at STCW Regulation II/1 ‐ II/2 ‐ II/3 Deck, Regulation III/1 – III /2 – III/3 – III/6 Engine and Regulation III/6 for ETOs

Alternative appropriate Marine Vocational Qualifications (MVQs) will be considered on a case by case basis.

The NI defines an MVQ as a non-STCW Certificate of Competency issued by a white list Maritime Administration for use in the administration’s local waters only.

Naval Officers with appropriate watch keeping qualifications and those whose qualification can be found on the approved list may be accepted into the training scheme without pre-approval or reference to NI.

The approved list can be found on the website: www.nialexisplatform.org. It is recommended that training centres and prospective DPOs check the qualifications with the NI in case of any doubt.

Source: The Nautical Institute Certification and Accreditation Standard - Vol 1 - Training and Certification - V1 - January 2022