KGCO Exam Blueprint and Assessment Framework
This page documents the complete assessment framework for the Komodo Guide Certified Operator (KGCO) program. The assessment comprises four components: a 30-question knowledge check covering compliance, safety, and environmental criteria across all three tiers; a document review checklist; an on-site vessel and office inspection protocol; and a transparent scoring rubric with an 80% pass threshold. Reassessment procedures, feedback timelines, and appeal processes are published here to ensure fairness and transparency in all certification outcomes.
Assessment Framework Overview
The KGCO assessment is a multi-component evaluation designed to verify operator compliance with published criteria at the time of certification and renewal. The assessment is conducted over a 4–6 week cycle and comprises knowledge assessment, document verification, and on-site inspection. All assessment materials, scoring rubrics, and question banks are reviewed annually and revised in consultation with panel members and operators.
| Component | Format | Duration | Weighting |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knowledge Check | 30 questions, 3 tiers | 4 hours (single sitting) | 35% |
| Document Review | Checklist-based verification | 2–3 weeks | 35% |
| On-Site Inspection | Vessel & office checklist | 4–6 hours | 30% |
30-Question Knowledge Check
The knowledge check is a standardised examination designed to verify that operator representatives understand the KGCO criteria and Indonesian regulatory requirements for certified operation. The assessment contains 30 questions distributed across three tiers: 10 questions on Tier 1 (license verification and basic compliance), 10 on Tier 2 (operational safety), and 10 on Tier 3 (environmental excellence and community responsibility).
Tier 1 Knowledge (10 questions)
Topics: NIB registration and OSS portal, TDUP scope and authority, SIMAKSI requirements, Permenhub PM 7/2019 vessel certificates, vessel class and tonnage documentation, basic maritime liability.
Example: "Which government portal issues the NIB (Nomor Induk Berusaha)?" — OSS.go.id (correct), BTNK (incorrect), Kemenparekraf (incorrect).
Tier 2 Knowledge (10 questions)
Topics: SLO vessel safety certificate and renewal, AIS transponder registration and compliance, STCW Convention BST module requirements, crew qualification standards, P&I insurance coverage minimums, incident reporting protocols.
Example: "What is the minimum crew qualification required for a Tier 2 operator?" — Master and Chief Officer STCW BST (correct), all crew STCW BST (incorrect), only captain certificate needed (incorrect).
Tier 3 Knowledge (10 questions)
Topics: MARPOL Annex V waste management, Manta-Anchor and TNC reef-friendly anchoring protocols, crew composition and Indonesian nationality requirements, community benefit-sharing models, formal complaint-resolution mechanisms, conservation fee compliance.
Example: "Under Tier 3 criteria, what is the minimum percentage of crew that must hold Indonesian nationality?" — 70% (correct), 50% (incorrect), 100% (incorrect).
Administration: The knowledge check is administered online or in-person under controlled conditions. Candidates receive the exam paper, a pen, and scrap paper only. No mobile devices, reference materials, or external communication aids are permitted. The examination must be completed within a single 4-hour session.
Document Review Checklist
The document review is a criterion-by-criterion verification of original documents submitted by the operator. The panel cross-references submitted documents against public registries (OSS.go.id for NIB, Ditjen Hubla for SLO) and verifies expiry dates. All documents must be current at the time of assessment and must match the originals presented during on-site inspection.
Tier 1 Document Checklist
- NIB certificate (original + copy, verified against OSS.go.id)
- TDUP certificate (original + copy, current and not expired)
- SIMAKSI (park-access permit for at least one vessel, original + copy)
- Vessel class certificate (Surat Kelas Kapal, per vessel)
- Vessel tonnage certificate (Surat Ukur, per vessel)
- Seaworthiness certificate (Surat Persetujuan Berlayar, per vessel)
- Hull insurance policy (proof of coverage)
Tier 2 Document Checklist (cumulative with Tier 1)
- SLO vessel safety certificate (per vessel, verified against Ditjen Hubla registry)
- AIS transponder registration confirmation
- Master STCW BST certificate (photocopy, expiry date noted)
- Chief Officer STCW BST certificate (photocopy, expiry date noted)
- Protection & Indemnity (P&I) insurance policy (minimum coverage IDR 5 billion per vessel)
- Crew manifest (showing crew names, nationalities, STCW status)
- ASITA membership certificate (if applicable)
Tier 3 Document Checklist (cumulative with Tier 1 & 2)
- Written anchoring policy (copy, referencing Manta-Anchor or TNC guidelines)
- Mooring-buoy usage log (last 12 months, per vessel)
- MARPOL Annex V compliance plan (garbage management, crew training)
- Crew manifest with nationality annotations (≥70% Indonesian requirement documented)
- Community benefit-sharing agreement (with local suppliers, crew employment, or conservation partners)
- Formal complaint-resolution protocol (written policy, response time SLA)
Non-conformance on any single criterion in the document review phase results in a written request for clarification or supplementary documentation. The operator has 20 business days to respond. If the response is unsatisfactory, the criterion is marked as "Not Met" and factored into the final scoring.
Vessel & Office Inspection Checklist
The on-site inspection occurs at the operator's registered office and aboard at least one representative vessel. The inspection is conducted by an independent panel member and confirms that physical evidence matches submitted documents. The vessel inspection is conducted during normal daylight hours and does not interfere with vessel operations or guest activities.
Office Inspection Checklist
- Original documents on file (NIB, TDUP, SIMAKSI, vessel certificates)
- Staff knowledge: receptionist can explain KGCO tier, criteria, and renewal date
- Complaint mechanism visible (contact email, response SLA posted)
- Insurance documentation current and accessible
- Crew records management system (pay slips, contracts, safety training logs)
- Environmental policy posted or provided (anchoring, waste, crew composition)
- AIS registration documentation (if Tier 2 or above)
Vessel Inspection Checklist
- Vessel name, registration, and class match submitted certificates
- AIS transponder active and registered (Tier 2+)
- Life jackets present and labeled with vessel name (correct number for passenger capacity)
- Emergency signage posted (muster station, assembly point, life raft deployment)
- Safety briefing documentation (crew training log, passenger briefing checklist)
- Captain and Chief Officer present with STCW BST certificates visible
- Anchoring policy posted (Tier 3: explicit reference to Manta-Anchor or mooring buoys)
- Waste management plan posted (Tier 3: MARPOL compliance, segregation signage)
- Crew manifest visible (Tier 3: crew nationality, employment contracts spot-checked)
- Fuel and water capacity documentation (for waste-management capacity verification)
Scoring Rubric & 80% Pass Threshold
The overall score is calculated as a weighted average of three components: Knowledge Check (35%), Document Review (35%), and On-Site Inspection (30%). A score of 80% or above across all three components is required for certification. Partial credit is not awarded for any criterion; each criterion is scored as Met (1.0) or Not Met (0.0).
| Outcome | Score Range | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Certified | 80%–100% | Certification issued immediately; certificate valid for 2 years |
| Conditional Pass | 75%–79% | Feedback issued on unmet criteria; operator may retake knowledge check within 30 days at no fee |
| Not Certified | Below 75% | Detailed feedback issued; operator may reapply after 60 days; reassessment fee is 50% of tier fee |
Score Calculation Formula
Overall Score = (Knowledge Check % × 0.35) + (Document Review % × 0.35) + (On-Site Inspection % × 0.30)
Example: If an operator scores 90% on the knowledge check, 85% on document review, and 80% on on-site inspection: (90 × 0.35) + (85 × 0.35) + (80 × 0.30) = 31.5 + 29.75 + 24 = 85.25% = Certified.
Reassessment Policy
Operators scoring below 80% on the initial assessment are entitled to a formal reassessment process. Reassessment applies to both initial applications and renewal audits. The policy is designed to provide operators with clear feedback, adequate time to address deficiencies, and a fair opportunity to remedy gaps.
First Reassessment (after initial failure)
- Feedback: Within 10 business days, operator receives written feedback identifying each unmet criterion and the specific evidence that would satisfy it.
- Remediation period: Operator has 60 days to gather additional evidence, correct documentation, or satisfy the criterion.
- Knowledge check retry: If the knowledge check component was the primary gap, operator may retake the full 30-question exam within 30 days at no additional fee.
- Reassessment fee: If major documentation gaps require a second full audit, reassessment fee is 50% of the tier fee (e.g., IDR 750,000 for Tier 1).
- Outcome: If second assessment reaches 80%, certification is issued. If still below 80%, a second-failure notice is issued.
Second Reassessment and Appeal
- Second failure outcome: If an operator fails the reassessment a second time, a Notice of Non-Certification is issued.
- Waiting period: The operator may not reapply for a minimum of 12 months from the date of the second-failure notice.
- Appeal process: An operator may submit a written appeal of the assessment methodology (not the criteria themselves) within 20 business days of the second-failure notice. Appeals are reviewed by an independent appeals panel.
- Appeal grounds: Valid appeal grounds are procedural error (assessor did not follow published protocols), conflict of interest not disclosed, or new material evidence not available at time of assessment.
- Appeal decision: Appeals panel issues a final determination within 30 days. If appeal is upheld, the operator is offered a reassessment at no fee. If dismissed, the 12-month waiting period stands.
Renewal Assessment Failure
- Lapsed certification: If a renewal assessment fails at the 80% threshold, the operator's certification is changed from "Active" to "Lapsed" on the public registry.
- Remediation during lapse: During the lapse period (up to 90 days following expiry), the operator may submit corrected documentation and request a reassessment at no additional fee.
- Reassessment after 90-day grace period: If reassessment is not completed within 90 days of expiry, the operator must reapply as a new initial application with full assessment fees.
- Public notification: The certification status change from "Active" to "Lapsed" is published immediately on the Certified Operators registry.
Timeline summary: Initial assessment 4–6 weeks → (if failure) feedback within 10 days → remediation 60 days → reassessment 2–3 weeks → (if still below 80%) second-failure notice → 12-month waiting period. All timelines are business days excluding Indonesian public holidays.