What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- Professional fishing-sector Patrón de Litoral certificate (RD 36/2014, art. 7)
- Academic diploma of Técnico en Navegación y Pesca de Litoral (intermediate VET, RD 1144/2012), with an examination covering Regulation II/1 of the STCW-F Convention annex
Basic STCW
- Basic Safety Training (maritime specialty certificate)
- Specialty certificates by vessel (firefighting, survival)
Specific courses
- GMDSS operator according to operating area (ROC/GOC — indicative, to be verified)
- Specific medical training and psychophysical fitness (CRC form or medical certificate under art. 13 RD 36/2014)
Indicative experience
Minimum age of 18 and 2 years of sea service in the deck section of fishing vessels ≥ 12 m LOA (at least 6 months after the examination), replaceable by ≥ 12 months as cadet or rating within a training programme under STCW Code section A-II/1 with an approved training record book (art. 7.1 RD 36/2014). Command of fishing vessels ≤ 42 m additionally requires 12 months as deck officer on fishing vessels ≥ 12 m.
Observations
Spanish fishing ladder (RD 36/2014): Fishing Captain > Patrón de Altura > Patrón de Litoral > Patrón Costero Polivalente > Patrón Local de Pesca. Progression: the higher VET diploma in Maritime Transport and Deep-Sea Fishing plus the sea service of art. 6 gives access to the Patrón de Altura certificate.
What this role does
Third grade of the Spanish fishing ladder (RD 36/2014, art. 7), below the Patrón de Altura and above the Patrón Costero Polivalente. It is obtained with the academic diploma of Técnico en Navegación y Pesca de Litoral (intermediate VET, RD 1144/2012), whose examination covers the knowledge of Regulation II/1 of the STCW-F 1995 Convention, plus the required sea service. It qualifies as chief mate up to 70 m LOA, deck officer on any fishing vessel and, with 12 months as officer, for command of fishing vessels up to 42 m within the zone between parallels 55º N and 5º N and meridians 35º W and 30º E.
Typical watches
- Bridge watches according to trip organisation
Key responsibilities
- Command fishing vessels up to 42 m LOA within the authorised zone (parallels 55º N–5º N, meridians 35º W–30º E).
- Serve as chief mate on fishing vessels up to 70 m LOA and as deck officer on any fishing vessel.
- Plan navigation, fishing-gear manoeuvres and vessel stability during fishing operations.
Operational scope
- Command of fishing vessels ≤ 42 m LOA between parallels 55º N and 5º N and meridians 35º W and 30º E, with 12 months of service as deck officer on fishing vessels ≥ 12 m (art. 7.2 RD 36/2014)
- Chief mate on fishing vessels ≤ 70 m LOA; deck officer on any fishing vessel
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.