Glossary
The words on the forms, explained.
The terms MCA notices, testimonials and examiners use, defined the way the notices define them — with a link to the guide that covers each one properly.
- Annex G college
- A nautical college approved under Annex G of MSN 1856 to deliver management-level unlimited CoCs. Only these may run the Yachts Unlimited modules. More →
- Celestial Navigation exam
- The MCA professional exam required for Master (Yachts). It has no compulsory training module before it, and a pass is valid for 1 year. More →
- Certificate of Competency (CoC)
- The STCW certificate that lets you serve as an officer in a given capacity. UK CoCs are issued by the MCA and are valid for 5 years. More →
- Certificate of discharge
- The MCA Yacht Certificate of Discharge (Annex B of MSN 1858) records a period of service on one yacht. It is accepted as proof of service when supported by testimonials. More →
- Code vessel
- A vessel operating under the Red Ensign Group Yacht Code. The Master (Code vessels <200 GT) CoC is named after it. More →
- COLREGs
- The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972: 41 Rules in six parts plus four Annexes. Every MCA deck oral syllabus asks for a thorough knowledge of them. More →
- Discharge book
- A Merchant Navy discharge book records your service on each vessel. With testimonials, it is one of the accepted ways to prove yacht service. More →
- ECDIS
- Electronic Chart Display and Information System. An MCA-approved ECDIS course is mandatory for OOW (Yachts <3000 GT) and above; without it a Master (Code <200 GT) CoC is not valid on ships fitted with ECDIS.
- EDH
- Efficient Deck Hand certificate, from an MCA-approved provider. Required for OOW (Yachts <3000 GT) and must be issued at least 18 months before the CoC. More →
- ENG1
- The UK seafarer medical fitness certificate, issued by an MCA-approved doctor. It must be valid on the day your CoC is issued.
- GMDSS (GOC / ROC)
- Global Maritime Distress and Safety System radio certificates: the General Operator's Certificate (GOC) and the Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC). Which one a CoC needs is set out in section 6 of MSN 1858.
- Gross tonnage (GT)
- A measure of a vessel's internal volume. CoCs are limited by it (e.g. yachts under 3000 GT), and some sea service must be on vessels above a tonnage, such as 500 GT.
- HELM
- Human Element, Leadership and Management training, at Operational or Management level depending on the CoC.
- IALA buoyage
- The maritime buoyage system used worldwide, in Regions A and B. Three of the 15 Part A questions cover it, with a 90% pass mark. More →
- Load line length
- The length measure MSN 1858 uses for yacht sea service: OOW sea service must be on yachts of 15 m or more, and Master (Yachts <3000 GT) needs 12 months of its service on yachts of 24 m or more (or 6 months on 500 GT or more). More →
- MIN, MSN, MGN
- The MCA's notices: Merchant Shipping Notices (MSN) carry legal requirements; Marine Information Notes (MIN) give time-limited information such as exam procedures; Marine Guidance Notes (MGN) give guidance.
- MSF 4343 / MSF 4274
- The MCA application forms for a Certificate of Competency: MSF 4343 for yacht deck officers, MSF 4274 for merchant deck officers. More →
- NAEST
- Navigation Aids, Equipment and Simulator Training. NAEST (Management) is required for the Yachts Unlimited route. More →
- Notice of Eligibility (NOE)
- The MCA's offer of an oral exam, issued by email once your application is accepted. Valid for 5 years. More →
- Onboard yacht service
- All the time you are signed on a yacht, whatever the yacht is doing. CoCs ask for a total of onboard service with a minimum of seagoing service inside it. More →
- Operational / management level
- STCW capacity levels, marked O or M on a CoC. OOW certificates are operational level; Chief Mate and Master certificates are management level for navigation and care of persons.
- Part A / Part B
- The two stages of the OOW Unlimited and Master (Code <200 GT) / OOW (Yachts <500 GT) exams: Part A is an online proctored multiple-choice test, Part B the oral with an examiner. More →
- Seagoing service
- Time actually at sea, including time at anchor or in river and canal transits that are part of a passage. At least 4 hours of working duty in 24 hours counts as a day. More →
- Stand-by service
- The time straight after a voyage while the vessel is prepared for the next. At most 14 consecutive days count at a time, never more than the previous voyage. More →
- STCW
- The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. CoCs are issued under its regulations: II/1 for OOW, II/2 for Chief Mate and Master, II/3 for certain smaller-vessel certificates.
- Testimonial
- A signed statement of your service on one vessel — days at sea, stand-by, yard and watchkeeping — in the format of Annex A of MSN 1858. Signed by the Master, or for service as Master by the owner, operator or manager. More →
- Training Record Book (TRB)
- The MCA Yacht Training Record Book, required for OOW (Yachts <3000 GT) unless you have 36 months' actual seagoing service on yachts of 24 m or more. More →
- Watchkeeping service
- Seagoing service in full charge of a navigational watch for at least 4 hours in 24. It can be counted cumulatively in 4-hour blocks, but never more than one day per 24 hours. More →
- Yachtmaster Offshore / Ocean
- RYA certificates (IYT equivalents: Master of Yachts Limited / Unlimited) that are entry requirements for the yacht CoCs: Offshore for OOW (where Amendment 2 also accepts Yachtmaster Coastal with the Coastal Skipper course) and the 150-mile Master (Code <200 GT); Ocean for the unlimited Master (Code <200 GT) and Chief Mate (Yachts). More →
- Yard service
- Time standing by a build, refit or repair. Up to 90 days counts towards OOW (Yachts <3000 GT). More →
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