Maritime Coastguard Agency
Overview
As a non-UK officer, you can apply for a Flag State Endorsement (FSE) to serve on UK-registered vessels if you hold a STCW Certificate of Competency (CoC) from a country whose standards of competency and training are considered equal to those of the UK.
Find information about countries that have CoC and GMDSS certificates which are acceptable equivalents:
Your FSE will contain the same limitations as your original CoC but in some cases, there can be differences in motorship and steamship limitations.
Where a CoC contains near-coastal limitations, these are included on the FSE as near-coastal to the country that issued the CoC (in line with the terms of the STCW Convention).
There are no nationality restrictions on officers or crew sailing on UK vessels but there is a nationality restriction on masters of strategic vessels.
Applying for a FSE
Applications for FSEs can be submitted by individuals or companies but you must sign the form yourself.
Use the same form whether you are applying for your first FSE, revalidation or upgrade. Use form MSF 4203 below:
- MSF 4203 - Application for a Flag State Endorsement
Detailed guidance is available in MSN 1867 Amendment 1 (Merchant applications) and MSN 1825 for fishing applications.
Submit the following documents with your application:
- non-UK CoC including any CoC endorsements/annexes
- passport or discharge book (identity page only)
- evidence of knowledge of English language (not required for fishing applications)
- passport-quality colour photo
- non-UK GMDSS certificate (deck officers only)
- tanker endorsements (if applicable)
If you already hold a UK FSE, we do not need to see proof of English again.
Please email your application to fse@mcga.gov.uk with photos/scans of your supporting documents and pay the appropriate fee.
We aim to process your application within 20 working days (roughly 4 weeks). You will receive an email from us if further information or evidence is needed.
CRA (Companies only)
Companies can submit applications for FSEs on behalf of their employees (as outlined above) but the officer applying for the FSE must sign the application form.
Companies can also apply for a confirmation receipt of application (CRA). Regulation 1/10 of the STCW Convention (as amended) means the MCA can allow a seafarer to serve on board a UK registered vessel for a period of not more than 3 months from the time that they applied for a FSE.
CRAs can only be issued against merchant applications (i.e. not fishing applications).
Documentary proof that an application has been made to MCA must be in the form of a CRA below:
- MSF 4359 - Confirmation of Receipt of Application
Provided all the required documents are present and correct, we will issue the completed CRA within 2 working days.
Emergency CRA (Companies only)
We offer companies a fast-track service when a CRA is needed on an urgent basis including weekends and public holidays.
There is no application form but the company email must include the following details:
- confirmation that the company is applying for an Emergency CRA
- confirmation that the company understands this is a chargeable service (currently 74)
- confirmation that the company takes legal responsibility for the Officers standard of English
The company must attach the following documents with their email:
- completed CRA
- non-UK CoC including any CoC endorsements/annexes
- non-UK GMDSS certificate (deck officers only)
- non-UK tanker endorsements (if applicable)
The ECRA will be valid for 1 month, which gives the company time to submit a full FSE application as normal (whereby an additional 2 months CRA cover can be provided), or to disembark the Officer. We will not extend an ECRA under any circumstances.
Evidence of knowledge of the English language
To comply with merchant shipping regulations, officers on board UK vessels must use a common language when operating the ship. As English is the chosen international language for communication at sea, officers on board must speak, read and understand English at a level that enables them to carry out ship to ship and ship to shore communication.
Proof of English is not required if you hold a STCW CoC issued by: Australia; Canada; Ghana; Hong Kong; India; Iran; Republic of Ireland; Jamaica; Malaysia; Malta; Myanmar; New Zealand; Pakistan; Singapore; South Africa; Sri Lanka; USA.
Other CoC holders will need to show they are competent in English by providing any of the following evidence:
- 1) Marlins English Language Test for Seafarers at an approved Marlins Test Centre and in addition to this: 2a) Marlins Test of Spoken English (TOSE) or 2b) Instead of TOSE, written confirmation from your company that your spoken English is satisfactory for your job. Please see the table below for the minimum score/level required for both tests:
| Capacity | Marlins Minimum Score | TOSE Required Level |
|---|---|---|
| Master | 90% | Upper Intermediate |
| Chief Officer | 90% | Upper Intermediate |
| Deck Officer of the Watch | 80% | Intermediate |
| Chief Engineer | 80% | Intermediate |
| Second Engineer | 80% | Intermediate |
| Engineer Officer of the Watch | 70% | Lower Intermediate |
| Electro-Technical Officer | 70% | Lower Intermediate |
- passing the MCA English Language test administered by a MCA Surveyor in an online oral exam or on board ship
- holding an advanced English language certificate issued by the British Council or an International Language Testing System (IELTS) test report showing overall band of at le