STCW endorsements
STCW is an international agreement by the maritime nations to mutually accept certain seafaring qualifications.
On British flagged vessels operating in the UK or in many non-UK ports, an RYA certificate of competence with a commercial endorsement fulfils all legal requirements. However, some employers or flag states may require STCW basic safety training which is covered by the STCW endorsement.
Holders of commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore and Yachtmaster™ Ocean certificates of competence can also obtain an STCW endorsement if they hold the following certificates:
| Certificate and length of course |
Notes |
|---|---|
| STCW Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (half day) |
|
|
STCW Elementary First Aid (1 day), OR STCW Proficiency in Medical First Aid (4 days), OR STCW Proficiency in Medical Care On Board(5 days) |
Must be updated every five years for the duration of the STCW endorsement |
| STCW Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (2 days) |
From 1 January 2017 onwards: Must be completed or updated within the last five years |
| STCW Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques (1 day) |
From 1 January 2017 onwards: Must be completed or updated within the last five years |
Applying for a STCW endorsement
Applicants who don't already hold a commercial endorsement to their RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or Ocean Certificate of Competence should complete the full commercial endorsement application form (available below) and send it with copies of the STCW certificates mentioned above.The standard commercial endorsement fee applies if the commercial endorsement and STCW endorsement are applied for at the same time.
Applicants who do already hold a commercial endorsement to their RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or OceanCertificate of Competence should complete sections 1 and 2 of the commercialendorsement application form (available in the downloads section on theright) and send it with copies of the STCW certificates mentioned above.A fee of £15 is required to add the STCW endorsement if not applied for at the same time as the commercial endorsement.
Once the STCW endorsement is issued, the following wording will appear on your certificate:The certificate holder has completed training under the STCW code A-V1/1Para 2.1. This certificate is valid for use as Master of yachts of up to 200gton commercially and privately registered yachts until [date of expiry].
Revalidating the STCW endorsement
Applications should complete the commercial endorsement revalidation form (available below) and return it to the RYA. From 1 January 2017 onwards, applicants must also send copies of their up to date STCW Proficiencyin Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting and STCW Proficiencyin Personal Survival Techniques.
The standard commercial endorsement revalidation fee applies if the commercialendorsement and STCW endorsement are revalidated at the same time. A fee of £15 is required to revalidate the STCW endorsement if not done at the same time as the commercial endorsement revalidation.
MCA certificates
MCA Master of Coded vessels less than 200gt and other higher large yacht MCA qualifications are STCW accredited.