.2 have completed approved education (IMO Model Course 7.01 - Master and Chief Mate - Ref.3) and training and meet the standard of competence specified in sectionI-II/2 of the STCW Code for masters and chief mates on ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or more
SUMMARY - This implies that a 14/15 year old candidate who started 10/11 years full time general education at the age of 4, can be a W/O at the age 18 attending to a two years of IMO Model Course 7.03 Education, and 1 year of on board training (6 months bridge watchkeeping) after an exam. Then, after 1 year of IMO Model Course 7.01 Education, with another one year on board a vessel as W/O, he can sit for an exam of C/M, at the age of 20. Or with another two years on board a vessel as 1 year W/O, and 1 year C/M, he can sit for an exam of a Master at the age of 21.
This is enabling a 14 years old candidate with 10/11 years of full time general basic education to be a Master in 7 years time at the age of 21 attending to some private courses without any High School Education, never mind University Education.
3. STCW 95 - Chapter III - Engine Department - Regulation III/1
Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or designated duty engineers in a periodically unmanned engine room
Paragraph 2 in Regulation III/1 of the STCW 95(Ref. 1) convention states
Every candidate for certification shall:
.1 be not less than 18 years of age
.2 have completed not less than six months seagoing service in the engine department in accordance with section A-III/1 of the STCW Code, and
.3 have completed approved education (IMO Model Course 7.04 - Engineer Officer in Charge of a Watch - Ref.6) and training of at least 30 months which includes on-board training documented in an approved training record book and meet the standards of competence specified in Section A-III/1 of the STCW Code.
which can be restated more clearly as
Every candidate for certification shall:
(a) be not less than 18 years of age
(b) satisfy the Administration as to medical fitness, including eyesight and hearing;
