GovWire

Application process

In line with MIN 655, if you are applying for your first UK Certificate of Competency (CoC), you must post your application and original documents (except passport which must be an attested copy) at both NOE and CoC stages to:

For all other applications, please email your application and scanned documents to deck@mcga.gov.uk

Please ensure your documents are included as attachments or within a .zip folder. Unfortunately, we cannot open .rar extensions or links to file-sharing services (e.g. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox etc).

Fast track requests

It is unlikely we will consider expediting a NOE (including Resit) or Rating application within our service standard of 28 days, or within 14 days for all other applications.

If you have been waiting longer than this and need us to assess your application on an urgent basis, please ask your company to email deck@mcga.gov.uk directly with your full name, date of birth and a compelling reason (including the vessel joining date).

For NOE applications, your company must also confirm to us that you meet all of the licence requirements i.e. the only barrier to gaining the licence is you need to sit the MCA oral exam.

For NOE resits, it is unlikely we will be able to consider a fast-track request if youve already had 3 attempts or more.

Booking your MCA oral exam

Please email the following to onlineoralexams@mcga.gov.uk

• your electronic NOE (paper NOEs need to be scanned colour copies in PDF format)
• scanned colour copy of non-UK subordinate CoC (for candidates appearing for a higher UK CoC at first instance) in PDF format
• scanned colour copy of your discharge book (front page and at least the last 2 years of sea time) as a separate PDF file
• an indication of your availability to undertake an online exam

EOOW and ETO candidates also need to provide scanned colour copies of the following exerts from your MNTB Training Record Book (TRB) in PDF format:

• page i contact details page
• section 2.2 sea service record (page 11 of the 2018 edition 4 version)
• section 3.3 particulars of ships (pages 23-25 of edition 4 for the first ship and each subsequent vessel)

Oral exam syllabuses

It is recommended that you review the relevant oral exam syllabus before sitting your MCA oral exam.

NOE resits

If you fail your MCA oral exam and wish to resit it, please email the NOE Fail to deck@mcga.gov.uk. The fee is currently 159 and should be paid for online to prevent delays.

This process also applies if you passed your oral exam more than 3 years ago.

Unused NOE

If you were issued with a NOE over 5 years ago but did not sit the exam, the fee is reduced (currently 90). Well also need to see two forms of evidence showing 6 months seagoing service in the last 5 years.

Merchant Navy

For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1856 Amendment 1

• Deck Officer of the Watch II/1: sections 3.1 and 3.2
• Chief Mate II/2 Unlimited: section 3.3
• Master II/2 Unlimited: section 3.4

Commercial and private yachts (over 24m)

For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1858 Amendment 1.

For conversions to a yacht CoC, please see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/certification-for-deck-officers-on-commercial-and-private-yachts#conversions-to-a-yacht-coc

Watch rating certificate

For guidance on the certification requirements, please see MSN 1862 Amendment 1.

Tug CoC

For the licence requirements, please see MGN 495.

Fishing CoC

To find more information about training and certification for deck fishing vessel crew, please see MGN 411.

GMDSS STCW endorsement

For the endorsement requirements, please see MSN 1864 Amendment 1.

Radio operators working on offshore oil and gas installations or fishing vessels do not need a GMDSS endorsement. If you do request an endorsement, youll need to comply with MCA application requirements and provide STCW basic training certificates.

Please contact AMERC if youve lost your original GOC or ROC certificate and need a replacement.

Vessel Traffic Services (VTS) licence

For the licence requirements, please see MGN 434.

New tanker endorsements

Sea service/training/occupation must be within the last 5 years:

Basic/Operational level

1. Relevant 