AMSA Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal: pathway and assessment
The Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal certificate is a domestic commercial vessel certificate for smaller vessels. AMSA says it allows you to command and operate the engines of commercial vessels under 12 metres, with an inboard engine under 500 kW or any outboard engine, in inshore waters.
This certificate is not on AMSA’s list of near coastal certificates that need an oral exam. This page explains the pathway AMSA describes instead: eligibility, training, sea service and the practical assessment.
- AMSA certificate name
- Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal
- Type
- Domestic commercial vessel (near coastal) certificate
- Oral examination
- Not listed by AMSA for this certificate
- Assessment AMSA describes
- AMSA says you must complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) with a registered training organisation.
- Also called
- Coxswain 1 or the Coxswain Grade 1 NC certificate
About the AMSA examination for this certificate
AMSA’s oral exam page lists the certificates that need an AMSA oral exam. For near coastal certificates, that list is Master <45 m, Master <100 m, Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 and Engineer Class 3. Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal is not on it, and AMSA says an oral exam is not needed for near coastal certificates that are not listed.
AMSA says you must complete an AMSA Mandated Practical Assessment (AMPA) with a registered training organisation. AMSA does not list an AMSA oral exam for this certificate.
- The assessment is run by your registered training organisation, not booked with an AMSA examiner.
- You submit the AMPA cover page with your application, along with your medical form, sea service evidence, course completion and radio and first aid certificates.
For how AMSA oral exams work for the certificates that do need one, read the AMSA oral exam preparation guide.
What the certificate allows you to do
As AMSA describes it on its certificate page:
- Command and operate the engines of commercial vessels under 12 metres with an inboard engine under 500 kW, or any outboard engine, in inshore waters.
- Work as chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels under 24 metres in inshore waters.
- Perform the duties of General Purpose Hand NC, Coxswain Grade 3 NC and Coxswain Grade 2 NC.
Who this certificate is for
- Deck hands and General Purpose Hands working towards a coxswain certificate for commercial vessels under 12 metres.
- Coxswains holding Grade 2 or Grade 3 who want to command bigger engines in inshore waters.
Official AMSA requirements
AMSA sets the requirements for the Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal certificate. In summary, as AMSA listed them on 3 October 2026:
- Be at least 16 years old on the certificate issue date, and be able to speak, read and understand English.
- Be medically fit for the duties under AMSA’s medical requirements. AMSA says colour deficiency restricts the certificate to daylight work only.
- Have sea service in a deck or deck-and-engineering role: with an AMSA task book, 30 days on commercial vessels at least 5 metres long; without one, 150 days on commercial or recreational vessels at least 5 metres long.
- Complete a Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal) with a registered training organisation.
- Hold a current “Provide first aid” certificate (HLTAID011) and a marine radio Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency (SROCP).
- Apply through myAMSA, or on AMSA form 426 at a participating Australia Post outlet. AMSA says the certificate is valid for five years.
This is a summary only, and requirements change. Check AMSA’s certificate page, linked under Official AMSA sources below, for the current requirements before you plan your pathway.
AMSA’s syllabus for this certificate
AMSA 1113: Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal, skills and knowledge required for Marine Order 505.
AMSA organises the skills and knowledge into these 6 tables:
- Elements of shipboard safety
- Follow sound environmental work practices
- Basic engineering (outboard unlimited kW, inboard under 100 kW)
- Coxswain engineering (inboard propulsion systems under 500 kW)
- Nautical knowledge: seamanship, manoeuvring and regulations
- Navigation and navigational emergencies
These are the table headings AMSA prints in its syllabus for this certificate. They show how AMSA organises the knowledge; they are not a list of questions.
Preparing for the assessment
This is our own study advice. It is not an AMSA syllabus and it is not a list of actual assessment questions.
Know the engine limits
AMSA’s syllabus has two engineering tables, one for outboards and inboards under 100 kW and one for inboards under 500 kW. Be clear which limits your certificate and your vessel fall under.
Practise the rules and emergencies
Nautical knowledge and navigational emergencies are the two largest practical areas. Revise them against the vessels you operate.
AMSA Examiner and this certificate
AMSA Examiner is built around AMSA oral exam preparation. Because AMSA does not list an oral exam for Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal, the oral-exam checklist and mock oral tools are not what this certificate’s assessment uses. If this rank is available to you, the study tools below can still help you revise the underlying knowledge, but they do not replace your training provider’s course or any assessment AMSA requires.
How AMSA Examiner helps you prepare
AMSA Examiner is a study platform. After you register and enrol for a rank, it gives you these tools:
- Learning topics that you work through in order.
- A Quiz Bank for practice questions.
- Mind maps for revision.
- A study plan built around your exam date.
- Weak-area identification and a revision book.
- Exam readiness reports.
The content you see depends on the rank you enrol for and on what has been published for that rank. AMSA Examiner’s practice material is study material. It is not official AMSA examination content, and it cannot predict the questions you will be asked.
Related certificates
- Coxswain Grade 2 Near Coastal (certificate guide). Coxswain Grade 2 covers smaller engines and sheltered waters. A Grade 1 holder can also perform Grade 2 duties.
- Coxswain Grade 3 Near Coastal (certificate guide). Coxswain Grade 3 covers vessels under 12 metres with a six-person carriage limit. A Grade 1 holder can also perform Grade 3 duties.
- Master <24 m Near Coastal (certificate guide). Master <24 m near coastal is the next master-level certificate up, covering vessels up to 24 metres.
- Sailing Master Offshore (certificate guide). AMSA lists Coxswain Grade 1 near coastal as one of the engine qualifications that count towards Sailing Master Offshore.
- All AMSA certificate guides, including the other certificates this site covers.
Frequently asked questions
Does Coxswain Grade 1 need an AMSA oral exam?
AMSA’s oral exam page lists the near coastal certificates that need one: Master <45 m, Master <100 m, Marine Engine Driver Grade 1 and Engineer Class 3. Coxswain Grade 1 is not on that list. AMSA’s certificate page names a practical assessment (AMPA) run by a registered training organisation.
What does Coxswain Grade 1 allow?
AMSA says it allows you to command and operate the engines of commercial vessels under 12 metres with an inboard engine under 500 kW or any outboard engine in inshore waters, work as chief mate or deck watchkeeper on vessels under 24 metres in inshore waters, and perform Coxswain Grade 3 and Grade 2 duties.
How much sea service do I need?
With an AMSA task book, AMSA lists 30 days on commercial vessels at least 5 metres long. Without one, it lists 150 days on commercial or recreational vessels at least 5 metres long. Read AMSA’s page for the full conditions.
Which training and radio certificate does AMSA require?
AMSA lists a Certificate II in Maritime Operations (Coxswain Grade 1 Near Coastal), a current first aid certificate and a marine radio Short Range Operator Certificate of Proficiency.
Official AMSA sources
AMSA is the authority on certificate requirements and on the oral examination. The facts on this page were checked against these AMSA pages on 3 October 2026. Requirements can change, so always confirm the current position with AMSA before you plan or book.