Hiring crew for ships and yachts

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Certificates of competency

You must follow international regulations from Standards in Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) if you have a commercial vessel going to sea.

Some crew members need a certificate of competency (CoC) or certificate of equivalent competency (CEC) to carry out certain duties.

For seafarers바카라 사이트™ CoCs to remain valid on certain types of ship they바카라 사이트™ll need to meet new training standards in line with STCW regulations (바카라 사이트˜2010 Manila Amendments바카라 사이트™).

Deck officers

Masters and other deck department officers need a CoC if they바카라 사이트™re performing:

  • bridge watch-keeping duties
  • navigational duties

CoCs for deck officers are restricted depending on:

  • the size of the ship or yacht
  • the area of sea where it will operate

Download an application for a CoC for:

You can use a Certificate of Service instead, if you have one. These were issued until 1998.

Engineer officers

Engineer officers on a ship or yacht with a power output of 750 kilowatts or more need a CoC. There are different CoCs for engineer officers, depending on:

  • the power output of the ship or yacht
  • the area of sea where it will be operating

Download an application for a CoC for:

Revalidating CoCs

Deck and engineering officers must revalidate their certificate every 5 years. They do this by showing they바카라 사이트™ve completed either:

  • 12 months바카라 사이트™ sea service in the last 5 years
  • 3 months바카라 사이트™ sea service in the last 6 months
  • 2.5 years in a relevant job - contact the MCA for advice

Use form MSF 4258 if someone you want to hire can바카라 사이트™t revalidate their CoC because they don바카라 사이트™t meet the requirements.

Watch ratings

Watch ratings on merchant ships need a CoC if they바카라 사이트™re performing navigation or engine room duties.

Radio operators

Radio operators need CoCs if they handle distress and safety radio-communications. All radio personnel serving on UK-registered ships must have either:

  • a Restricted Operator바카라 사이트™s Certificate (ROC)
  • a General Operator바카라 사이트™s Certificate (GOC)

Other crew

Ships바카라 사이트™ cooks and security officers may also need a CoC.

More information

To find out more about the certification structure and examination and training requirements, read:

Contact the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to find out which members of your crew need a CoC.

MCA training and certification helpline
Telephone: 023 8032 9231
Find out about call charges

Certificate of equivalent competency (CEC)

A CEC allows officers holding Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) certificates issued by some non-UK countries to work as officers on UK-registered merchant ships.

To get a CEC, your crew member must complete the CEC application form. As part of the application process they may be asked to prove their:

  • standards of competency
  • ability to use the English language (this may include an oral exam)
  • knowledge of UK law relating to their job

Read more about CECs or download part 19 of the MCA바카라 사이트™s training and certification guidance for more information.

View a printable version of the whole guide

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