Seafarer training and certification privacy information notice
Updated 4 May 2023
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/maritime-and-coastguard-agency-privacy-notices/seafarer-training-and-certification-privacy-information-notice
This privacy information notice explains how we use any personal information we collect about you when you apply for certification with us.
1. What information do we collect about you?
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) collect information about you when you apply for a:
- Certificate of competency (CoC)
- Certificate of equivalent competency (CEC)
- Deck/engine watch rating certification
- Yacht rating certificate
- Authority to operate (ATO) certificate
- Able seafarer certificate
- Electro technical rating certificate
- Boat master licence (BML)
To meet the applicable Standards of Training and Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) requirements and the merchant shipping boatmasters qualifications, crew and hours of work and to meet our obligations as set out in the Merchant Shipping Act 1995-part III clause 47.
2. How will we use the information about you?
We collect information about you to process your application for a Certificate of CoC/CEC as well as for application types listed above. The personal information you provide is processed by our staff in the UK to assess your application and for correspondence purposes. We may use your information to improve our customer service, investigate complaints, legal claims or important incidents. We may use your information for crime prevention and prosecution of offenders.
3. Financial Information
Financial information which you provide to us, such as credit card details will only be used to process your payment for your application and will be destroyed once payment has been authorised.
4. How long we will retain your information
Your information will be held for as long as you have a valid certificate of competency. If you have not revalidated your certificate and have not returned to sea after 25 years we will remove your personal information from our systems.
Holders of a certificate of competency who have not been to sea for 20 years prior to making a new application must follow the guidance set out in MSN 1861.
5. Who we share your information with
The information you provide is primarily for processing your application for a certificate and may be shared with other statutory bodies/organisations to enable them to fulfil their statutory and legal obligations. In certain circumstances, information you provide will be shared with Maritime Colleges to assist with processing your application. Information will be shared with other UK government departments or governments of UN countries, training providers, maritime companies, and port state control authorities for verification purposes. We may also share your contact details with a third party to provide us with a customer service survey to improve our customer service and to provide better value for money.