What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Professional fishing-sector Patrón de Altura certificate (RD 36/2014, art. 6)
- Higher vocational training in Maritime Transport and Deep-Sea Fishing (CFGS)
Basic STCW
- Basic Safety Training (maritime specialty certificate)
- Specialty certificates by vessel (advanced firefighting, survival)
Specific courses
- GMDSS General Operator (GOC) by area
- Medical and safety training required by Spanish fishing regulations
Indicative experience
Minimum age of 20 and 24 months of accredited sea service in the deck section of fishing vessels (art. 6 RD 36/2014); command by length additionally requires 12 months as deck officer.
Observations
Functionally equivalent to the STCW-F 1995 certificate for skippers of fishing vessels operating in unlimited waters (Regulation II/1). With additional sea service it gives access to Fishing Captain. Spanish fishing ladder (RD 36/2014): Fishing Captain > Patrón de Altura > Patrón de Litoral > Patrón Costero Polivalente > Patrón Local de Pesca.
What this role does
Second grade of the Spanish fishing ladder (RD 36/2014, art. 6). It is a fishing-sector certificate, distinct from the merchant marine Patrón de Altura: it qualifies as chief mate or deck officer on any fishing vessel and, with the required sea service, for command of vessels up to 70 m LOA (or 42 m depending on the accredited service). It gives access to the Fishing Captain certificate.
Typical watches
- Bridge watches of 4 to 8 hours according to trip organisation
Key responsibilities
- Command fishing vessels in deep-sea and distant-water fishing within the authorised length limits.
- Serve as chief mate or bridge watch officer on fishing vessels without limitation.
- Plan navigation, fishing-gear manoeuvres and vessel stability during fishing operations.
Operational scope
- Command of fishing vessels ≤ 70 m LOA (12 months of service as officer on vessels ≥ 18 m) or ≤ 42 m if service was on 12-18 m vessels (art. 6.2 RD 36/2014)
- Deck officer without area limitation
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.