How to apply for a FSE for deck and engineer officers
Guidance for non-UK qualified officers on how to apply for, or revalidate a Flag State Endorsement to work on UK-registered commercial vessels.
Overview
As a non-UK officer, you can apply for a Flag State Endorsement (FSE) to serve on UK-registered vessels if you hold a STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC) from a country whose standards of competency and training are considered equal to those of the UK.
Find information about countries that have CoC and GMDSS certificates which are acceptable equivalents:
Your FSE will contain the same limitations as your original CoC but in some cases, there can be differences in motorship and steamship limitations.
Where a CoC contains near-coastal limitations, these are included on the FSE as near-coastal to the country that issued the CoC (in line with the terms of the STCW Convention).
There are no nationality restrictions on officers or crew sailing on UK vessels but there is a nationality restriction on masters of strategic vessels.
Applying for a FSE
Applications for FSEs can be submitted by individuals or companies but you must sign the form yourself.
Use the same form whether you are applying for your first FSE, revalidation or upgrade. Use form MSF 4203 below:
- MSF 4203 - Application for a Flag State Endorsement
Detailed guidance is available in MSN 1867 Amendment 1 (Merchant applications) and MSN 1825 for fishing applications.
Submit the following documents with your application:
- non-UK CoC including any CoC endorsements/annexes
- passport or discharge book (identity page only)
- evidence of knowledge of English language (not required for fishing applications)
- passport-quality colour photo
- non-UK GMDSS certificate (deck officers only)
- tanker endorsements (if applicable)
If you already hold a UK FSE, we do not need to see proof of English again.
Please email your application to fse@mcga.gov.uk with photos/scans of your supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee.
We aim to process your application within 20 working days (roughly 4 weeks). You will receive an email from us if further information or evidence is needed.
CRA (Companies only)
Companies can submit applications for FSEs on behalf of their employees (as outlined above) but the officer applying for the FSE must sign the application form.
Companies can also apply for a confirmation receipt of application (CRA). Regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention (as amended) means the MCA can allow a seafarer to serve on board a UK registered vessel for a period of not more than 3 months from the time that they applied for a FSE.
CRAs can only be issued against merchant applications (i.e. not fishing applications).
Documentary proof that an application has been made to MCA must be in the form of a CRA below:
- MSF 4359 - Confirmation of Receipt of Application
Provided all the required documents are present and correct, we will issue the completed CRA within 2 working days.
Emergency CRA (Companies only)
We offer companies a fast-track service when a CRA is needed on an urgent basis including weekends and public holidays.
There is no application form but the company email must include the following details:
- confirmation that the company is applying for an Emergency CRA
- confirmation that the company understands this is a chargeable service (currently £74)
- confirmation that the company takes legal responsibility for the Officer’s standard of English
The company must attach the following documents with their email:
- completed CRA
- non-UK CoC including any CoC endorsements/annexes
- non-UK GMDSS certificate (deck officers only)
- non-UK tanker endorsements (if applicable)
The ECRA will be valid for 1 month, which gives the company time to submit a full FSE application as normal (whereby an additional 2 months CRA cover can be provided), or to disembark the Officer. We will not extend an ECRA under any circumstances.
Evidence of knowledge of the English language
To comply with merchant shipping regulations, officers on board UK vessels must use a common language when operating the ship. As English is the chosen international language for communication at sea, officers on board must speak, read and understand English at a level that enables them to carry out ship to ship and ship to shore communication.
Proof of English is not required if you hold a STCW CoC issued by: Australia; Canada; Ghana; Hong Kong; India; Iran; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malaysia; Malta; Myanmar; New Zealand; Pakistan; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; USA.
Other CoC holders will need to show they are competent in English by providing any of the following evidence:
- 1) Marlins ‘English Language Test for Seafarers’ at an approved Marlins Test Centre and in addition to this: 2a) Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) or 2b) Instead of TOSE, written confirmation from your company that your spoken English is satisfactory for your job. Please see the table below for the minimum score/level required for both tests:
| Capacity | Marlins Minimum Score | TOSE Required Level |
|---|---|---|
| Master | 90% | Upper Intermediate |
| Chief Officer | 90% | Upper Intermediate |
| Deck Officer of the Watch | 80% | Intermediate |
| Chief Engineer | 80% | Intermediate |
| Second Engineer | 80% | Intermediate |
| Engineer Officer of the Watch | 70% | Lower Intermediate |
| Electro-Technical Officer | 70% | Lower Intermediate |
- passing the MCA English Language test administered by a MCA Surveyor in an online oral exam or on board ship
- holding an advanced English language certificate issued by the British Council or an International Language Testing System (IELTS) test report showing overall band of at least 6
- holding a certificate of IELCA (International English Language Competency Assessment) with a minimum overall score of 30
- holding a certificate of TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) applicable for admission into US universities with a minimum pass rate of 60
- holding a Berlitz Language School level B2+ certificate endorsed by the company
- satisfying the MCA that English is your ‘mother tongue’ (i.e. your first language)
- passing UKLAP1 exam
GMDSS certificate (Deck officers only)
A copy of your GMDSS certificate should be included with your application for a FSE so that we can issue you with an Authority to Operate (ATO), enabling you to use your GMDSS certificate onboard UK ships.
Alternatively, you can apply for a standalone ATO (no fee). To apply, please submit a scan of your GMDSS to: fse@mcga.gov.uk
UKLAP
Masters and skippers
All masters and skippers operating UK flagged vessels must have knowledge of UK legal and administrative processes to grade 1 examination level (UKLAP1). The level of required knowledge is outlined in Annex B of MSN 1867 Amendment 1.
It is mandatory that all masters of UK flagged vessels pass a UKLAP grade 1 test (Irish CoC holders are exempt). Masters should make their FSE application as normal and we will issue a Notice Of Assessment (NOA) to sit the UKLAP1 exam.
Once you receive the NOA email, you can book your online oral exam with the MCA. Alternatively, please forward the NOA email to mca@sqa.org.uk who will arrange for you to sit the written exam in one of the British Council offices around the world.
Chief mates, chief engineers and second engineers
All chief mates, chief engineers and second engineers operating UK flagged vessels must have knowledge of UK legal and administrative processes to grade 2 level (UKLAP2). The level of required knowledge is outlined in the UK Legal and Administrative Processes - Grade 2 syllabus.
You do not have to take an exam but it is your employer’s responsibility to make sure you have this knowledge before you start work on board a ship.
US Coastguard
If you hold either a USCG 500GT or 3000GT (International Tonnage) Certificate of Competency, you will need to pass one of the MCA oral examinations of competency depending upon the Flag State Endorsement for which you have applied for (see below). Please note that an additional fee will be required.
Merchant navy
| Capacity | Oral Exam Required |
|---|---|
| Chief Mate <500GT near Coastal | Part 6 of MIN 653 Amendment 1 |
| Master <3000GT Oceans | Part 4 of MIN 653 Amendment 1 |
Limited to yacht service only
| Capacity | Oral Exam Required |
|---|---|
| Mate <500GT near coastal | OOW oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Mate <500GT Oceans | OOW oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Mate <3000GT near coastal | OOW oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Mate <3000GT Oceans | OOW oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Master <500GT near coastal | Master 500GT oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Master <500GT Oceans | Master 500GT oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Master <3000GT near coastal | Master 3000GT oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Master <3000GT Oceans | Master 3000GT oral from MSN 1858 Amendment 1 |
| Chief Eng (Limited-Oceans) Motorships (over 2999kW & over 2999GT) | Y2 oral from Annex B of MSN 1859 Amendment 1 |
| Chief Eng (Limited-Oceans) Motorships (over 8999kW & over 2999GT) | Y1 oral from Annex B of MSN 1859 Amendment 1 |
Medical certificates
You do not need to submit your medical certificate when you make your FSE application but you must hold a valid ENG1 medical fitness certificate or recognised non-UK equivalent.
Contact our Seafarer Medical Team if you have any queries:
Email: medical@mcga.gov.uk
Replacement FSE
If your current valid Flag State Endorsement (FSE) has been lost/stolen and you require an exact replacement of that FSE, please use form MSF 3900.
Masters of strategic vessels
Masters of strategic vessels must be one of the following nationalities:
- UK or Commonwealth citizen
- NATO or EU/EEA national
Strategic vessels include:
- fishing vessels over 24 metres in length
- class 1 passenger ships of 500gt or more certified to carry more than 300 passengers
- ro-ros
- product tankers
Updates to this page
Last updated 8 June 2023 + show all updates
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Added link to UKLAP2 syllabus
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Section on Emergency CRA added
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Removed SQA English language test as an option as they no longer offer this
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Added International English Language Competency Assessment (IELCA) to Proof of English section
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Added the existing MSF 3900 requirement for a Police report to the Replacement CEC section.
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Added Marlins and TOSE score for III/6 ETO. Reworded Marlins and TOSE section to clarify that we will accept a company letter in lieu of TOSE
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Added company "CRAs can only be issued against merchant applications (i.e. not fishing applications)". Replaced "holding a STCW CoC for which the examinations and teaching were conducted in English" to "holding a STCW CoC listed on our CEC list which has ‘No proof of English required’ in the notes column".
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Added how to apply for a fishing CEC, replacement CEC and standalone ATO. Links/contact details updated.
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Updated information regarding TOEFL.
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Title changed
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Edited the English Competency section.
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First published.