Certification for Engineer Yachts
Guidance for applying for a Engineer Yacht CoC.
Documents
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
Please see the document above for further details.
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 FSE/CEC to SV CoC
These conversions are subject to change.
You are not required to obtain a FSE or CEC to apply for a conversion.
| Certificate Held | CoC Required | Conversion |
|---|---|---|
| EOOW Unlimited issued by a country on the FSE/CEC list | SV EOOW less than 9000kW, less than 3000GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X1 |
| EOOW Unlimited issued by a country on the FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 3000kW, less than 500GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X2 |
| EOOW Unlimited issued by a country on the FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 9000kW, less than 3000GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X3 |
| Second Engineer <3000kW Unlimited Area issued by a country on the UK FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 3000kW, less than 500GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X4 |
| Second Engineer <3000kW Unlimited Area issued by a country on the UK FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 9000kW, less than 3000GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X5 |
| Second Engineer/Chief Engineer Unlimited issued by a country on the UK FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 3000kW, less than 500GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X6 |
| Chief Engineer <3000kW Unlimited Area issued by a country on the UK FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 9000kW, less than 3000GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X7 |
| Second Engineer/Chief Engineer Unlimited issued by a country on the UK FSE/CEC list | SV Chief Engineer less than 9000kW, less than 3000GT CoC. Unlimited Area | X8 |
Seagoing service definitions for this conversion can be found in section 5 of MSN 1904 (M+F)
The Ancillary Course Certificate Table on this page lists the ancillary and safety courses applicable to each yacht CoC.
All the references to a CoC or FSE pertain to those issued by the MCA unless otherwise started. To convert, you must hold a CoC from a country that the UK accepts towards the issuance of a UK FSE/CEC.
For the MCA’s acceptance of certificates from foreign Flag States for various certificates, please see List of countries accepted towards issuing a UK FSE - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Conversion X1
(a) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- Marine diesel engineering;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part I;
- Operational procedures, Basic hotel services and ship construction;
(b) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(c) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(d) Pass the MCA oral examination for EOOW on Small Vessels less than 9000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/1.[1]
[1] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X2
(a) While serving as a EOOW complete 6 months’ seagoing service on yachts of 750 kW or more in power;
(b) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(c) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(d) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(e) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 3,000 kW, less than 500 GT, unlimited area, III/3.[2]
[2] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X3
(a) While serving as a EOOW complete 12 months’ seagoing service on yachts of at least 350 kW which includes a minimum of 6 months’ seagoing service on yachts of 750 kW or more in power;
(b) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- General Engineering Science I & II;
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Applied Marine Engineering;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(c) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(d) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(e) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 9,000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2.[3]
[3] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X4
(a) While serving as a EOOW/2nd Engineer and holding Second Engineer <3000kW unlimited area FSE/CEC, complete 3 months’ seagoing service on yachts of at least 350 kW which includes a minimum of 1 months’ seagoing service on yachts of 750 kW or more in power;
(b) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(c) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(d) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(e) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 3,000 kW, less than 500 GT, unlimited area, III/3.[4]
[4] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X5
(a) While serving as a EOOW/2nd Engineer and holding Second Engineer <3000kW unlimited area FSE/CEC, complete 6 months’ seagoing service on yachts of at least 350 kW which includes a minimum of 3 months’ seagoing service on yachts of 750 kW or more in power
(b) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- General Engineering Science I & II;
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Applied Marine Engineering;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(c) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(d) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(e) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 9,000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2.[5]
[5] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X6
(a) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(b) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(c) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(d) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 3,000 kW, less than 500 GT, unlimited area, III/3.[6]
[6] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X7
(a) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- General Engineering Science I & II;
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Applied Marine Engineering;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(b) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(c) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(d) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 9,000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2.[7]
[7] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Conversion X8
(a) Successfully complete the MCA approved modules and pass the corresponding MCA Small Vessel Competency examinations for:
- General Engineering Science I & II;
- Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements;
- Applied Marine Engineering;
- Auxiliary equipment – Part 2;
(b) Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in 6 of MSN 1904;
(c) Hold a valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent;
(d) Pass the MCA oral examination for Chief Engineer on Small Vessels less than 9,000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2.[8]
[8] For the MCA’s published Oral Examination Syllabi, please refer to the following page and navigate to the section titled ‘Oral Exam Syllabuses’: www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information.
Updates to this page
Last updated 1 August 2023 + show all updates
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Details within the attachment amended.
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Amendment to wording in the Conversion Table
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Amendments to Regulations, Oral Examination details and Conversion number formatting
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Conversion labels have been amended.
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First published.