The table below suggests recommended levels for English language for Deck and Engineering personnel, using 

Marlins online test.


Level / DepartmentICS Marlins Test 
(online test)
Minimum acceptable score
Management & Operational Level
Navigational Dept.
Master85%
Chief Officer80%
2nd Officer70%
3rd Officer70%
Deck cadets65%
Engineering Dept.
Chief Engineer Officer80%
2nd Engineer Officer or 1st Assistant Engineer Officer70%
Electrical Technical Officer70%
3rd Engineer Officer65%
4th Engineer Officer65%
Electrical Engineer Officer65%
Trainee Marine Engineers65%
Support Level
Bosun65%
AB (watchkeeping)55%
AB55%
OS45%
Fitter / ER CPO55%
Petty Officer Electrician65%
ER (watchkeeping ratings)55%
Pumpman65%
Wiper45%
Chief Cook65%
Galley ratings / Messmen45%


The table below suggests recommended levels for English language for Deck and Engineering personnel, using 

Test of Spoken English (TOSE).


Level / Department
Test of Spoken English
(TOSE)
Minimum acceptable
TOSE result (overall)
Management & Operational Level
Navigational Dept.

Master
Upper Intermediate
Chief Officer


Intermediate
2nd Officer
Lower intermediate


3rd Officer


Lower intermediate
 
Deck cadets


Lower intermediate


Engineering Dept.
 
Chief Engineer Officer
Intermediate
2nd Engineer Officer or 1st Assistant Engineer Officer


Lower intermediate


Electrical Technical Officer


Lower intermediate


3rd Engineer Officer


Lower intermediate


4th Engineer Officer


Lower intermediate


Electrical Engineer Officer


Lower intermediate
Trainee Marine Engineers


Lower intermediate
 
 
Support Level


Bosun
Lower intermediate
AB (watchkeeping)
Lower intermediate
AB
Elementary
OS
Elementary
Fitter / ER CPO
Elementary
Petty Officer Electrician


Lower Intermediate


ER (watchkeeping ratings)


Lower intermediate


Pumpman
Lower Intermediate


Wiper
Elementary
Chief Cook
Lower Intermediate


Galley ratings / Messmen
Elementary


Definitions of English Language Levels


When referring to different language levels, Marlins use the following definitions which are widely recognised in English Language Assessment. These definitions are also used by IMO in IMO Model Course 3.17, Maritime English.

The definitions below are also in the  Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) and are accepted by the UK MCA and the Irish Flag Administration.


Language Level:
Definition:
Advanced
Near native-speaker proficiency in all aspects of communication. Has no difficulty with comprehension and can express abstract concepts accurately and fluently. Able to resolve any problems of comprehension effectively.
Upper Intermediate
Confident in using a wide range of language to express himself accurately and fluently in all but the most demanding situations. Makes some minor mistakes but these do not generally prevent him being understood. Experiences occasional problems of comprehension but these can usually be overcome with a little help.
Intermediate
At ease communicating about everyday topics and more abstract concepts. Makes some mistakes but is usually able to correct any major errors which prevent him being understood. Able to understand the essence of native speaker English but may misunderstand details.
Lower Intermediate
Can communicate satisfactorily about everyday topics with a restricted range of language. Able to understand native speakers of English talking at a measured pace with some rephrasing and repetition. Comprehension is likely to fail under pressure.
Elementary
Able to use English for very basic, everyday needs but without sustained fluency and with many errors. Has a limited understanding of spoken English, requires a lot of rephrasing, repetition and simplification of language.
Beginner
Knows virtually no English and cannot understand spoken or written English. Or ‘false beginner’, ie knows a few words or phrases of English. May be able to string together very basic questions or sentences using a very narrow range of English but has extreme difficulty making himself understood. Fails to understand natural spoken or written English adequately.