Maritime Coastguard Agency
Application process
In line with MIN 655, if you are applying for your first UK Certificate of Competency (CoC), you must post your application and original documents (except passport which must be an attested copy) at both NOE and CoC stages to:
Seafarer Certification 2/11
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG
For all other applications, please email your application and scanned documents to deck@mcga.gov.uk
Please ensure your documents are included as attachments or within a .zip folder. Unfortunately, we cannot open .rar extensions or links to file-sharing services (e.g. OneDrive, Google Drive, Dropbox etc).
Fast track requests
It is unlikely we will consider expediting a NOE (including Resit) or Rating application within our service standard of 28 days, or within 14 days for all other applications.
If you have been waiting longer than this and need us to assess your application on an urgent basis, please ask your company to email deck@mcga.gov.uk directly with your full name, date of birth and a compelling reason (including the vessel joining date).
For NOE applications, your company must also confirm to us that you meet all of the licence requirements i.e. the only barrier to gaining the licence is you need to sit the MCA oral exam.
For NOE resits, it is unlikely we will be able to consider a fast-track request if youve already had 3 attempts or more.
Booking your MCA oral exam
Information about how to book your oral exam will be emailed to you when you have met the requirements for an NOE.
Oral Exam Part A
From Spring 2023, the MCA OOW Unlimited, II/1, online oral examination will consist of the following elements:
- Part A: online computer-based proctored examination, and
- Part B: online face-to-face oral examination
Part A of the examination will be an integral part of the assessment for the MCA OOW Unlimited, II/1, Certificate of Competency (CoC).All OOW Unlimited, II/1, candidates with a first attempt Notice of Eligibility (NOE) issued from 1 May 2023 and all OOW Unlimited, II/1, candidates (including resits) with an NOE issued from 1 June 2023 must successfully complete Part A before being able to book Part B of the examination.
Further information can be found by accessing MIN 690. The accessibility statement for the Part A exam can be found at .
Oral exam syllabuses
It is recommended that you review the relevant oral exam syllabus before sitting your MCA oral exam.
CoC requirements
If you pass your MCA oral exam, please see our guidance on the requirements for a deck CoC application.
NOE resits
If you fail your MCA oral exam and wish to resit it, please email the NOE Fail to deck@mcga.gov.uk. The fee is currently 159 and should be paid for online to prevent delays.
This process also applies if you passed your oral exam more than 3 years ago.
Additional requirements for a third MCA Oral Exam attempt (or more)
From 3 July 2023, we will not be in a position to issue your NOE resit until we have received documentary evidence that you meet all of the CoC requirements (as per section 4.2 of MIN 690). Please send scanned copies of these documents by email to deck@mcga.gov.uk when you apply for your NOE resit.
Unused NOE
If you were issued with a NOE over 5 years ago but did not sit the exam, the fee is reduced (currently 90). Well also need to see two forms of evidence showing 6 months seagoing service in the last 5 years.
Merchant Navy
- MSF 4274 - Application form for an oral examination leading to the issue of a certificate of competency (STCW) for masters, chief mates and deck officers in the merchant navy
For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1856 Amendment 1
- Deck Officer of the Watch II/1: sections 3.1 and 3.2
- Chief Mate II/2 Unlimited: section 3.3
- Master II/2 Unlimited: section 3.4
Commercial and private yachts (over 24m)
- MSF 4343 - Application form for an oral examination leading to the issue of a certificate of competency (STCW) for masters, chief mates and deck officers on commercially and privately operated yachts and sail training vessels
For guidance on the licence requirements, please see MSN 1858 Amendment 1.
For conversions to a yacht CoC, please see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/certification-for-deck-officers-on-commercial-and-private-yachts#conversions-to-a-yacht-coc
Watch rating certificate
- MSF 4371 - Application form for MCA issued watch rating certificate (navigational)
For guidance on the certification requirements, please see MSN 1862 Amendment 1.
Tug CoC
- MSF 4260 - Application form for an oral examination leading to the issue of a certificate of competency (STCW) for masters and deck officers of tugs
For the licence requirements, please see MGN 495.
Fishing CoC
- MSF 4345 - Application form for an oral examination, leading to issue, conversion or upgrade of a certificate of competency for fishing deck officers
To find more information about training and certification for deck fishing vessel crew, please see MGN 411.