UK Certification
We issue certification to Seafarers looking to work commercially at Sea. These licences apply to Merchant Vessels as well as Yachts, Tugs, Workboats and other Small Craft. They are issued in line with the international convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW).
Full requirements for obtaining UK Certificate of Competency (CoCs) are outlined in various Merchant Shipping Notices (MSNs), Marine Guidance Notices (MGNs) and Marine Information Notices (MINs) which are available here.
Application Process
For most applications there is a ‘standard route’ that the process will follow.
The first application you will need to make will likely be for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE). This will be assessed against the evidence provided in support of the application to see if you are eligible to sit an Oral Examination.
If successful you will be awarded an NoE which you can then use to book an Oral Examination with an MCA Examiner either at one of our UK Marine Offices or if available at a maritime college.
Once passing the Oral Examination you will then need to provide this Pass, alongside the other required documents for the Licence you wish to gain. With these we will then issue the Licence to you.
This process can vary depending on the type of certificate applied for.
Processing Times
- For a Notice of Eligibility Resit, Rating Application or Notice of Eligibility, we will assess within 28 days.
- For a CoC Application or a GMDSS Application, we will assess within 14 days.
If a company requires you to return to Sea they can request that we can either look to copy and return their documents in time, or fully expedite the application in order for you to return to work.
If you require any assistance please contact us directly at one of the below:
Phone: +44 (0)203 8172200
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Select Option 1 For Safe Manning
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Select Option 2 For COC Revalidations
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Select Option 3 For Deck NOE, Deck New COC and GMDSS
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Select Option 4 For Eng NOE & Eng New COC
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Select Option 5 For non-UK qualified officers applying for a new Flag State Endorsement, or to revalidate an existing Flag State Endorsement to work on UK-registered commercial vessels
Email Contacts:
Deck team: deck@mcga.gov.uk
Engineering team: engineering@mcga.gov.uk
Revalidation team: revalidation@mcga.gov.uk