OCTO Course
The OCTO Course is a mandatory short-term training program for all cooks, stewards, and catering staff who wish to work on merchant navy vessels, cruise ships, or offshore platforms.
At SeaZone, we help you every step of the way — from documentation and enrollment to securing admission at DG Shipping-approved training institutes. This course equips you with the essential safety, hygiene, and shipboard discipline skills needed to perform effectively and confidently at sea.
What is the OCTO Course?
OCTO (Orientation Course for Catering Personnel) is a pre-sea course designed for cooks, stewards, and catering staff with prior experience in the hotel or hospitality sector who want to pursue a career in the merchant navy.
Approved by the Directorate General of Shipping (DG Shipping), Government of India, this 12-day course covers shipboard life, safety, hygiene, and emergency procedures—all focused on catering operations at sea.
Unlike CCMC, which is a basic starter course, OCTO is meant for experienced cooks who wish to transition to sea employment without undergoing a full 6-month training program.
How Navik International Supports OCTO Training
At Navik International, we provide complete guidance for the OCTO course at DG Shipping-approved institutes across India. If you have at least 1 year of experience in hotel/hospitality/kitchen, we help you:
- Authenticate your documents
- Schedule medical and psychometric tests
- Apply to DG Shipping-approved institutes
- Complete mandatory STCW safety courses
- Obtain your Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
We also assist with job placements on cruise ships, offshore vessels, and cargo ships.
With Navik International, starting your career as a merchant navy cook or steward becomes smooth, affordable, and career-focused.
OCTO Course Curriculum
1. STCW Mandatory Safety Courses
All seafarers must complete these IMO-mandated safety courses:
- Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
- Elementary First Aid (EFA)
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR)
- Security Training for Seafarers with Designated Duties (STSDSD)
- Ship departments and hierarchy
- Roles and responsibilities (e.g., Captain, Chief Cook, Bosun)
- Daily life and routines onboard
- Food hygiene and safety at sea
- Waste storage and disposal
- Personal grooming and hygiene
- Cleaning procedures for ship kitchens
- Emergency procedures
- Orders and communication during emergencies
- Galley communication protocols
- Muster station and ship abandonment
- Fire drills and man overboard drills
- Life jacket and lifeboat training