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Guidance: Certification for Engineer Yachts

Maritime Coastguard Agency

July 25
13:17 2023

Yacht Manning Guidance

Details

Applying for a Engineer Commercial and Private Yachts CoC

To apply for a Engineer officer CoC specific to Yachts, please use form MSF 4900 (How to apply for an engineering small vessel CoC).

Detailed information and guidance about yacht training and certification is available in MSN 1904 (M+F) UK Requirements for Engineer Officer Small Vessel Certificate of Competency.

More information can be found in MSN 1904 (M+F) - which details further information on the training and assessment requirements for a Certificate of Competency for engineer officers working on small vessels, and in MIN 642 (M+F) which outlines guidance for the certification structure, examination and training requirements for engineer officers wanting to work on Fishing Vessels, Yachts, Tugs, Workboats, Standby, Seismic Survey, Oceanographic Research Vessels and Government Patrol Vessels; this is also known as the Small Vessel Route.

Yacht Manning Guidance

Safe Manning of Yachts

The principles of Safe Manning and the requirements for the issue of a Safe Manning Document are set out in MSN 1868 Amendment 1.

The new manning requirements should ensure that holders of Yacht Certificate of Competency (CoC) issued under MSN 1859 will be able to continue working on UK and other Red Ensign Group (REG) registered yachts. For the vast majority of yachts, the new manning requirements allow for the carriage of an Engineer officer of the Watch (EOOW) in place of a Second Engineer.

Engineering Manning Proposal

Following on from discussions with industry, two Engineering Manning Guidance tables were created. This will hopefully offer flexibility for yacht owners and consistency amongst REG flagged yachts, while considering the regulatory requirements of the STCW Convention. However, REG members have their own authority to set their own manning levels, therefore the tables should be treated as guidance.

Manning and CoCs

The position held onboard by the seafarer must be reflected by the capacity and limitations in their CoC. The exception is where a vessel is under 500 GT and not a passenger ship (where SOLAS and STCW do not apply) and that operate within the near-coastal area (up to 150 miles from a Safe Haven). For these non-Convention sized vessels, The MCA has allowed for holders of an MCA issued non-STCW certificates to take on the role as an Engineer Officer, as per the manning table. While the MCA approves these non-STCW certificates for use on UK vessels, we cannot guarantee recognition internationally. If you hold a non-STCW certificate, you should check the certification requirements of the local Port State Control Administration prior to entering their jurisdiction.

Higher Level or Merchants CoCs

The manning tables state the lowest CoC or non-STCW Certificate that you must hold to take up this position onboard a yacht. If you hold a higher-level Yacht CoC or Merchant CoC then you can operate in that role onboard the vessel.

Yacht CoCs issued as per MSN 1859

If your Yacht CoC previously allowed you to operate at a higher level than your stated capacity and limitations, due to the Manning Table in MSN 1859, then please refer to the Additional Notes section to see what equivalent endorsement you can be issued with. This should allow you to keep working in this position onboard a yacht. Holders of these Yacht CoCs that wish to operate at this level must apply to the MCA to have this capacity and limitation added to their CoC.

Conversions

Holders of Merchant CoCs or Yacht CoCs wishing to convert to a Small Vessels CoC to work on yachts should refer to section 7 of MIN 642.

For any additional CoC endorsement, upgrade or conversion you must complete the following application form: MSF 4100.

Exam Syllabuses

Exam Syllabuses can be found on the MCA examination syllabuses page.

For Oral Exam Syllabuses please refer to UK seafarer careers: Training provision, information and examination syllabuses - Oral exam syllabuses

For written Exam Syllabuses please refer to UK seafarer careers: Training provision, information and examination syllabuses - written exam syllabuses.

New Sea Time Requirements

All seagoing service on board Yachts should be approved by either;

Failure to do this can cause severe delays of around 160 days. Further information can be found in MIN 543

Conversions from CEC/FSE to SV CoC

These conversions are subject to change, however your requirements will be listed on your NOE.

Certificate Held CoC Required Conversion
EOOW Unlimited CEC/

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