Information for LIAs, Action Plans or College Letters to train as an engineer officer
Information for a letter of initial assessment or college letter, so you can train for an engineer officer certificate of competence (CoC)
Overview
Historically, you needed a Letter of Initial Assessment (LIA) from the MCA or a letter from your college if you’re not following a MNTB approved cadetship and you want to qualify as an engineer officer of the watch (EOOW) or alternative routes for a Yacht and/or Small Vessel CoC.
You can apply for an EOOW CoC through either of the following routes:
- Experienced seafarer route (minimum 24 months seagoing service)
- Alternative route as an engineer graduate (HND or degree) or apprentice following MIN 511
- Former royal navy engineers following the memorandum of understanding between the MCA and the Royal Navy
More detail regarding Yacht and Small Vessel Licences is given below.
Experienced seafarers’ route applications
MCA doesn’t issue LIAs for experienced seafarers. You can apply direct to a nautical college.
The EOOW requirements for an experienced seafarer are detailed in MSN 1856 Experienced seafarer to engineer officer of the watch (EOOW) CoC.
Requirements include:
- 24 months engine room sea service
- an STCW regulation III/4 engine room watch rating certificate or UK MEOL/SMEOL
- basic STCW safety training certificates
- valid medical fitness certificate ENG 1 or a recognised non UK equivalent, for more information read MSN 1815 (M)
If you meet the requirements apply directly to a UK nautical college so you can register for the EOOW training programme.
The college will supply a letter confirming your approved training programme for you to include in your EOOW application.
Alternative route for graduates, HNC/HND holders and those with apprenticeships
The MCA doesn’t issue LIAs for graduates, HNC/HNC holders or those with relevant apprenticeships. You can apply direct to a nautical college. The ‘Alternative Route’ allows Engineering Graduates, Engineering Higher National Diploma (HND)/Higher National Certificate (HNC) holders or those with suitable engineering apprenticeship (NVQ level 3 or above) to have their qualifications assessed by an MCA-approved nautical college for entry onto the UK Engineering Officer of the Watch training programme. The requirements are detailed in MIN 511.
UK Nautical colleges details can be found under nautical colleges and training centres.
Royal Navy
Ex Royal Naval surface fleet general service personnel should obtain a copy of the existing RN/MCA MOU and follow the pathways as shown for unlimited or small vessel CoC’s. Advice may also be sought from the RN/MN liaison officer.
Until further notice, there is currently no equivalent MOU for Royal Naval sub-sea personnel. Ex Royal Naval Submariners should contact MCA directly.
Until further notice, there is currently no equivalent MOU for other Ex UK military personnel. Personnel should contact MCA directly.
Yachting and Small Vessel Certification
Seafarers fishing to obtain qualifications to work in the yachting or small vessel industry are advised that entry to the yacht certificate structure ends in Jan 2022.
Consequently they are advised to enter the small vessel route , refer to MIN 524 and contact an approved training provider for guidance, enrolment on a pathway to competency and purchase of a TRB.
The alternative route assessment for Small Vessels, which has replaced the historic LIA route for Yachts, is now conducted by MCA Approved Small Vessel Training Providers directly.
Contact MCA if you have any further queries:
Email: engineering@mcga.gov.uk
Updates to this page
Last updated 11 November 2020 + show all updates
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Updated route information, in light of the withdrawal of the LIA form, the availablilty of the RN/MCA MoU and the movement of the Action Plan assessment to SV Training Providers.
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First published.