Issue of Yacht Rating Certificates

Summary
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have introduced a requirement for those ratings needed for the safe manning of Large Sailing and Motor Yachts (200gt or over) to be appropriately qualified.
Following representation from industry this Note details revised procedures and arrangements for seafarers applying for a Yacht Rating Certificate and reiterates who is required to hold a Yacht Rating certificate. The deadline for introduction of the certification system is extended until 30 June 2006.
1 Introduction / Background
1.1 MGN 270 - Yacht Rating Certificates for Service on Commercially and Privately Operated Yachts and Sail Training Vessels - requires a seafarer meeting the requirements for the issue of a Yacht Rating Certificate to make an appropriate application to the MCA.
1.2 Following representation from industry, and in order to benefit seafarers in the application process, it has been agreed that:
in line with the issue of Merchant Navy Watchrating Certificates approved companies will be able to issue the certificate on behalf of the MCA. Additionally, it has been agreed that in the case of Yacht Rating Certificates this facility is also being extended to Approved Training Providers (see Paragraph 3).
companies and Approved Training Providers issuing Yacht Rating Certificates may set their own administration fee for the service (see Paragraph 4).
arrangements for proof of identity are clarified (see Paragraph 5).
the deadline for the certification system coming into effect is extended until 30 June 2006: transitional arrangements are accordingly also extended until that date (see Paragraph 6).
1.3 The option remains to make a direct application to the MCA, as detailed in MGN 270.
2 Frequently asked questions
In response to frequently asked questions the following points are made:
2.1 Who has to hold a Yacht Rating Certificate?
Ratings required to be carried by a Safe Manning Document, or
on vessels 200gt or over but less than 500gt, where no Safe Manning Document is required, then the ratings necessary for the safe manning of the vessel.
2.2 What qualifications would preclude the need for obtaining a Yacht Rating Certificate?
an AB Certificate issued under the ILO AB Convention; or
a UK Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Certificate; or
a Navigational or Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate issued under STCW; or
an IYT or RYA Coastal Skipper, Yachtmaster Offshore or Yachtmaster Ocean certificate.
2.3 Are there any exemptions from elements of the Yacht Rating Certificate?
Holders of the following certificates do not have to complete the Training Record Book and the 6 months yacht service requirement may be reduced to 2 months sea service on vessels 15 metres and over in load line length (anyone wishing to claim this exemption should contact MCA Seafarer Training & Certification Branch for advice):
Watchleader Certificate together with a Competent Crew Certificate; or
Day Skipper Certificate together with a Competent Crew Certificate; or
Yacht Rating Course Completion Certificate;
Holders of these certificates must still apply for a Yacht Rating Certificate and meet the other requirements
3 Approval to Issue Yacht Rating Certificates
3.1 UK companies that comply with the International Safety Management (ISM) Code, or are MCA Approved Training Providers, may apply to the MCA for approval to issue Yacht Rating Certificates on its behalf. To obtain approval companies or training providers should send the following details to the MCA at the address given at the end of this Note:
the contact details and remit of the organisation;
how the applications will be assessed;
who will assess the applications and their relevant qualifications and experience;
how records will be kept.
3.2 When an application is approved the MCA will provide:
guidance on issuing the certificates;
a pro-forma certificate to be used;
a prefix and series of numbers to be used with the certificates.
3.3 Provided the company or training provider is satisfied that the applicant fully meets the education and training, and service requirements detailed in Section 7 of MGN 270, and the medical standards detailed in Section 4 of MGN 270, an MCA Yacht Rating Certificate may be issued.
The original should be issued to the applicant, a duplicate returned to the MCA at the address given at the end of this Note and a second copy retained by the issuing company or training provider.
3.4 Additionally a copy of the application, seafarer’s training portfolio, recognised certificate or rating course completion certificate, service records and medical certificates must be retained by the issuing company or training provider as part of their ISM or quality management system.
3.5 The MCA reserves the right to inspect company or training provider records and procedures.
4 Fee
4.1 Should a seafarer make an application direct to the MCA an appropriate fee will be charged as required by the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations, as amended. This is currently set at £15.00. Applicants requiring return of documents by courier will be charged an additional £20.00 fee for this service. Fees are subject to review.
4.2 Approved companies and training providers may also consider applying a charge to cover any administration costs and have previously been advised that this charge must not exceed that allowed by the Merchant Shipping (Fees) Regulations, as amended. Following representations from industry it is agreed that companies and training providers may charge a fee which they consider appropriate. However, applicants should be advised of the MCA fees so that they may choose whether to make their application directly.
5 Proof of identity
5.1 MGN 270 states that a passport or birth certificate should be provided with an application for a Yacht Rating Certificate. This is for proof of identity. It has been difficult for some ratings to make an application due to working on yachts in areas where they cannot relinquish their passport. In these circumstances, and for Yacht Rating Certificate applications only, the following will be acceptable: a photocopy of the passport signed as a true copy by the Master and giving the Master’s full name, date of birth, CoC number and contact details.
6 Deadline and transitional arrangements
6.1 Due to the representations made and the closeness of the originally published effective date it has been decided to extend the deadline. This certification system will now come into effect on 30 June 2006: transitional arrangements will also apply until that date.
6.2 The transitional arrangements are that until 30 June 2006 ratings requiring a Yacht Rating Certificate who can demonstrate 18 months yacht service on vessels 15 metres and over in load line length and have completed the four elements of STCW basic training will be exempt from completing the Training Record Book.