Instructions on applying for STCW Watch Ratings, Yacht Ratings, or Able Seafarer certificates and information on gaining an Efficient Deck Hand certificate

Updates to this page

1 November 2026 Updated information on AB Deck and Engine certificates, which are now to be submitted to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen rather than Local Marine Offices.

Updated information on AB Deck and Engine certificates, which are now to be submitted to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen rather than Local Marine Offices.

20 February 2024 Added Able Seafarer Engine III/5 form. Also updated links.

Added Able Seafarer Engine III/5 form. Also updated links.

13 November 2017 Updated with requirement revisions as listed in MSN 1862

Updated with requirement revisions as listed in MSN 1862

1 May 2014 First published.

Watch Rating overview

STCW watch rating certificates are the only qualification you need to work as a watch rating on board a vessel.

There are 2 types of watch rating certificates:

navigational watch rating certificate STCW II/4

engine room watch rating certificate STCW III/4

To qualify for your certificate you must:

have completed at least 6 months approved sea service in the deck department or engineer room - or 2 months sea service if you’ve completed a MCA approved special college based training programme

have completed the basic safety training

have been assessed as meeting the specified STCW requirements and performance standards

hold a valid UK ENG1 or recognised non UK equivalent medical fitness certificate

How to apply

Many UK-flagged shipping companies issue watch rating certificates on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

If you’re a rating serving with a company which isn’t approved by us to issue this certificate, you can apply directly to the MCA.

Complete application form MSF 4371 below.

MSF 4371 Application for a MCA issued watch rating certificate, navigational or engine room

You’ll need to submit the following items with your application form:

certified copy of passport (and visa if applicable)

discharge book or certificates of discharge (original copies) or yacht service record book

sea service testimonials (original copies)

1 passport size photo (countersigned)

relevant ancillary course certificates

watch rating training record book (deck: Annex A of MSN 1862 Amendment 1 or engine: Annex A of MSN 1863 Amendment 1)

valid medical fitness certificate ENG1 or recognised non UK equivalent

pay the fee as per the payment section of the application form

Yacht Rating overview

Yacht rating certificates will allow you to work on yachts and sail training vessels of less than 3000GT.

To qualify for your certificate you must:

have completed the basic safety training

have completed at least 6 months onboard Yacht Service, including 2 months’ actual seagoing service or 2 months actual seagoing service if you’ve completed a MCA-accepted yacht training programme

yacht rating training record book Annex B of MSN 1862 Amendment 1. Please note that you may gain exemptions from this, please see the relevant section of the guidance notice.

have been assessed as meeting the specified STCW requirements and performance standards

hold a valid medical fitness certificate ENG1 or recognised non UK equivalent

pay the fee as per the payment section of the application form

How to apply

Many colleges offering yacht training issue yacht rating certificates on behalf of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

Alternatively you can apply directly to MCA.

Complete application form MSF 4340 below.

MSF 4340 Application for a MCA issued yacht rating certificate

Find further information and downloadable watch training record books in the marine information note MGN 270

You’ll need to submit the following items with your application form:

certified copy of passport

discharge book or certificates of discharge (original copies) or yacht service record book

completed yacht rating Training record book (TRB) or a certificate of completion from a MCA accepted course

relevant ancillary course certificates

1 passport size photo (countersigned)

hold a valid medical fitness certificate ENG1 or recognised non UK equivalent

pay the fee as per the payment section of the application form

Make your application via email to the MCA at deck@mcga.gov.uk or engineering@mcga.gov.uk.

The MCA aim to process your application within 28 days of receipt. You’ll receive an email:

when your application has been received

if any further information/evidence is needed

when your certificate has been awarded.

Contact the Seafarer Training and Certification Branch at MCA if you’ve got any queries about your application:

Tel +44 (0)20 3817 2200Email: deck@mcga.gov.ukEmail: engineering@mcga.gov.uk

Please note that we do not offer a counter service

Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)

EDH is the qualifying examination for an Able Seafarer Deck Certificate. The course and examination must be completed at an MCA approved training provider. You must be at least 17 years old to qualify, a full list of the requirements can be found in MSN 1862 Amendment 1.

Able Seafarer overview

The Able Seafarer Deck Certificate of Proficiency will allow you to work on board vessels as an able seafarer under regulation II/5.

The Able Seafarer Engine Certificate of Proficiency will allow you to work on board vessels as an able seafarer under regulation III/5.

To qualify for this certificate you’ll need to:

For Deck, have completed at least 18 months sea service in the deck department whilst holding an Navigational Watch Rating (NWR) certificate or 12 months sea service while holding an NWR Certificate if following an MNTB approved programme of education and training

For Engine, have completed 12 months sea service in the engine department whilst holding an Engine Room Watch Rating (ERWR) certificate and an MCA Approved Engine Course 1 or 6 months service working as an Engine Room Watch Rating and completing Approved Training.

have completed the basic safety training

For AB Deck, completed PSC&RB and EDH

For AB Engine, completed Training Record Book

have been assessed as meeting the specified STCW requirements and performance standards

hold a valid medical fitness certificate ENG1 or a recognised non UK equivalent

How to apply

You should apply to the Registry of Shipping and Seamen at seafarers.registry@mcga.gov.uk.

For an AB Deck CoP, complete application form MSF 4310 below.

MSF 4310 Application for a Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer Deck regulation II/5

For an AB Engine CoP, complete application form MSF 4284 below.

MSF 4284 Application for a Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer Engine regulation III/5

For Able Seafarer Deck, you’ll need to submit the following items with your application form:

discharge book or certificates of discharge (original copies) or yacht service record book

STCW basic training certificates

Efficient Deck Hand certificate (EDH)

Certificate of Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (other than Fast Rescue Boats) certificate (PSC&RB)

hold a valid UK ENG1 or a recognised non UK equivalent medical fitness certificate

pay the fee as per the payment section of the application form

For Able Seafarer Engine, you’ll need to submit the following items with your application form:

discharge book or certificates of discharge (original copies) or yacht service record book

STCW basic training certificates

MCA Approved Engine Course 1 or Approved Training.

hold a valid medical fitness certificate ENG1 or a recognised non UK equivalent

pay the fee as per the payment section of the application form

Further information

For more information please see:

MSN 1862 for the full information and requirements for Deck Ratings, Yacht Ratings, EDH and AB Deck.

MSN 1863 for the full information and requirements for Engine Ratings and AB Engine.

Both M Notices contain template Rating Training Record Books required to obtain a Rating Certificate.

Sign up for emails or print this page