The MCA's Code of Practice for Safety of Large Commercial Sailing & Motor Vessels, published in 1997, requires that engineering personnel serving on yachts and sail training vessels of less than 3,000 gt should be qualified in accordance with the UK's current Training and Certification Regulations.

However, since the introduction of STCW 95, it has become apparent that some engineering personnel serving on yachts of this type, may be unable to meet the full UK Merchant Navy requirements, as set out in the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997.

To address the needs of seafarers serving on yachts and sail training vessels of less than 3,000 gt and under 9,000 kW propulsion power the MCA, in consultation with the "large yacht" industry, sail training organisations and United Kingdom maritime colleges, has developed a route leading to engineer certification limited to this sector. These provisions also apply to privately owned yachts of a similar size not covered by the code.

The route makes use of a series of training modules which include tuition, written examinations and ancillary training which, in conjunction with suitable engineering practical training and yacht service, permit entry to an MCA oral examination. Warsash Maritime Academy is approved by the MCA (UK) to deliver the relevant training modules. Success in the MCA oral examination leads to the issue of either a STCW 95 certificate of competency limited to service on yachts and sail training vessels, or a Marine Engine Operator licence limited to service on yachts and sail training vessels. No MCA oral examination or written examination is required for candidates taking the Approved Engine Course certificate.

The qualifications available through this route are:

1. MCA Approved Engine Course certificate (AEC); as required by the Code. These certificates are issued directly by MCA-approved Training Providers.
2. Marine Engine Operator licence (Yacht) (MEOL(Y)). These licences are issued by the MCA after the candidate has satisfied the MCA criteria, and has undertaken the approved education and training.
3. Chief Engineer Reg III/3 certificate of competency (referred to as "Yacht 4" or "Y4").
4. Chief Engineer Reg III/2 certificate of competency (Chief Engineer "Service Endorsement", referred to as "Yacht 3" or "Y3").
5. Chief Engineer Reg III/2 certificate of competency (referred to as "Yacht 2" or "Y2").
6. Chief Engineer Reg III/2 certificate of competency ("Large Yacht Endorsement", referred to as "Yacht 1" or "Y1").

These qualifications, except the AEC and MEOL, will be issued in accordance with the requirements of STCW 95. The AEC and MEOL are not STCW certificates.

Please note: Warsash Maritime Academy does not run the AEC.

The following courses are offered by Warsash Maritime Academy. Eligibility can only be assessed by the Seafarer Standards Branch of the MCA (UK) as detailed in MGN156.

Click here to view qualification requirements extracted from MGN156. This includes the route flow-charts. 

		Course Length
	Large Yacht Endorsement (Yacht 1)	5 Days
	Advanced Hotel Services and Ship Construction (Yacht 2)	5 Days
	Chief Engineer Statutory & Operational Requirements (Yacht 2)	5 Days
	Applied Marine Engineering (Yacht 2)	5 Days
	General Engineering Science I (Yacht 2)	10 Days
	General Engineering Science II (Yacht 2)	10 Days
	Chief Engineer Statutory & Operational Requirements (Yacht 3)	5 Days
	Marine Diesel Engineering (Yacht 4)	5 Days
	Auxiliary Equipment (Yacht 4)	5 Days
	Operational Procedures, Basic Hotel Services & Ship Construction (Yacht 4)	5 Days
	Engineering Skills Test (Yacht 4)	up to 10 Days
	Marine Engine Operators Licence (Yachts) (MEOLY)	5 Days
	Yacht Engineering - Oral Preparation	On request

A range of ancillary STCW'95 short courses are run art Warsash Maritime Academy. Information about  theses courses can be found by clicking on the relevant section on our Course page.

Large Yacht Endorsement (Yacht 1)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the Y1 MCA oral examination. The course is based on 5 days directed self-study and includes 4 hours of direct one-to-one lecturer contact during which a mock oral will take place. A full set of study notes will be provided prior to the candidate attending the college. A syllabus giving the examination and study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ Notice – MGN 156 that can be accessed from the MCA web site.

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Advanced Hotel Services and Ship Construction (Yacht 2)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in Advanced Hotel Services and Ship Construction. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes place on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college. A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MIN 208, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

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Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements (Yacht 2&3)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to site the MCA/SQA written examination in Chief Engineer Statutory and Operational Requirements. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes place on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college. A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice MIN 208, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

Note: A Chief Engineer holding the Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 3) will not be required to retake this module if he/she subsequently wishes to obtain a Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 2).

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Applied Marine Engineering (Yacht 2)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
The course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in Applied Marine Engineering. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes place on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college. A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MIN 208 that can be accessed from the MCA website.

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General Engineering Science I (Yacht 2)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in General Engineering Science 1. The course is based on 8 days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination which normally takes place on the afternoon of the 9th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and there is a requirement for 12 weeks preparatory study to be undertaken prior to attending the college – evidence of this study, in the form of worked examples must be submitted to the college.

A brief syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MGN – 156, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

Note: this course is run concurrently with the General Engineering Science II

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General Engineering Science II (Yacht 2)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Codes	CEY2GES2
Approvals	STCW’95
Course Duration	10 Days
Prerequisites	Recommended: MCA Letter of Initial Assessment or Notice of Eligibility obtainable on application from the MCA Southampton office (details from the MCA website).
Assessment	2 hour written examinations
Teaching Methods	Classroom and mandatory distance learning

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in General Engineering Science II. The course is based on 8 days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination which normally takes place on the afternoon of the 9th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and there is a requirement for 12 weeks preparatory study to be undertaken prior to attending the college – evidence of this study, in the form of worked examples must be submitted to the college.

A brief syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MGN – 156, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

Note: this course is run concurrently with the General Engineering Science I

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Chief Engineer Statutory & Operational Requirements (Yacht 3)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Codes	CEY3SOR
Approvals	MCA to STCW’95 – AIII/2
Course Duration	5 Days
Assessment	2 hour written examinations
Teaching Methods	Classroom based

Course Description
Areas covered include health and safety at work, pollution control regulations, ‘M’ notices, and international conventions, dry docking, procedures, planned maintenance and hull and machinery surveys.

Voyage planning, fire prevention, ship construction, damage control and fuel consumption are also covered.

Note: A Chief Engineer holding the Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 3) will not be required to retake this module if he/she subsequently wishes to obtain a Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 2)

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Marine Diesel Engineering (Yacht 4)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Code	CEY4AE
Approvals	MCA to STCW'95 –A-III/3
Course Duration	5 Days
Prerequisites	Recommended: MCA Letter of Initial Assessment or Notice of Eligibility obtainable on application from MCA Southampton office (details from the MCA website).
Assessment	2 hour written examination
Teaching Methods	Classroom based

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to site the MCA/SQA written examination in Marine diesel Engineering. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college. A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – Min 208, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

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Auxiliary Equipment (Yacht 4)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Code	CEY4AESC
Approvals	MCA to STCW’95 –A-III/3
Course Duration	5 Days
Prerequisites	Recommended: MCA Letter of Initial Assessment or Notice of Eligibility obtainable on application from MCA Southampton office (details from the MCA website).
Assessment	2 hour written examination
Teaching Methods	Classroom based

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in Auxiliary Equipment. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college. A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MIN 208, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

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Operational Procedures, Basic Hotel Services and Ship Construction (Yacht 4)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to sit the MCA/SQA written examination in Operational Procedures, Basic Hotel Services and Ship Construction. The course is based on 4 ½ days lecturer led learning and revision, followed by the examination, which normally takes on the afternoon of the 5th day. A full set of study notes will be provided on application and 6 weeks preparatory study should be undertaken prior to attending the college.

A syllabus giving the study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘notice MIN 208, which can be accessed from the MCA website.

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Engineering Skills Test (Yacht 4)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This test is designed to allow the candidate to demonstrate basic engineering skills in fitting, assembly, electrical maintenance and welding. No instruction can be given and the candidate must complete all tasks for assessment on his or her own. The candidate should allow a full 10 working days for the tasks to be scheduled and completed, subject to the availability of the college workshops.

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Marine Engine Operators Licence (Yacht) (MEOLY)

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
This course prepares the candidate to site the MEOLY MCA oral examination. The course is based on 5 days directed self-study and includes 4 hours of direct one-to-one lecturer contact during which a mock oral will take place. A full set of study notes will be provided prior to the candidate attending the college.

A syllabus giving the examination and study content for the course can be found in the MCA ‘M’ notice – MGN 156 that can be accessed from the MCA website.

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Yacht Engineering - Oral Preparation

Course Dates & Fees

Course Description
Tuition for preparation of Y1, Y2, Y3, Y4 Engineering Oral examinations is available. This is supplied on a case-by-case. Please contact Course Administrator for details.

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Eligibility can only be assessed upon application to the Seafarer Standards Branch of the MCA as detailed (MGN156 paragraph 11). 

Candidates may be required to undergo an Approved Engine Course (as detailed in MGN156 Annex D) prior to undertaking any certificate of competency, unless they have completed the MN MEOL Basic Engineering Craft Skills Training or the MCA Approved Formal Engineering Craft Training, or equivalent training acceptable to the MCA.

All new entrant yacht engineers must successfully complete the following:

Existing yacht engineers may be exempt from the basic training courses listed above at the discretion of the training providers, following assessment.   

To view the route flow-charts (pdf) from MGN156 please click on the relevant images below.

Table 2 - Craft Apprenticeship Entry Route

Table 3 - Non-UK Entry Route or Non-Craft Training Entry Route

You will require Adobe Acrobat reader to view this pdf. file. Download it for free from the Adobe website.

All yacht engineers having gained the basic training courses listed above and who have completed 6 months yacht service may gain entry to the “advanced” ancillary training courses:

Existing yacht engineers may be exempt from taking certain of the advanced courses listed provided they have successfully completed an equivalent ancillary course listed below, prior to 1 September 2000.  These ancillary courses are an alternative entry requirement for existing yacht engineers applying for MCA certificates of competency and licences.

TRAINING MODULES

Basic requirements:

Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 4)       

Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 3)

Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 2)

Oral examinations

Candidates for all yacht certificates of competency, including the Marine Engine Operator Licence – MEOL(Y) and the Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency (Yacht 1) are required to take an oral examination conducted by an MCA examiner at a MCA Marine Office.

When attending for examination the following documents should be  produced for scrutiny by the examiner:          

Notice of Eligibility and Application Procedure

All candidates for certificates of competency and MEOL’s must have their eligibility assessed by the MCA in order to be issued with a Notice of Eligibility (NOE).  

Candidates are required to hold an NOE prior to taking any written or oral examination.

Under certain circumstances and only with MCA approval, candidates may be allowed to sit written examinations without an NOE. This concession is given on the clear understanding that the results of the examination will be declared null and void if the candidate subsequently fails to obtain an NOE.

Note: This concession is likely to be withdrawn in the near future.

Application forms for NOE, together with an information pack, may be obtained from the MCA Seafarer Standards Branch.  

Completed application forms, accompanied by the appropriate fee, evidence of required ancillary training, medical fitness, details of yacht service and/or sea service, yacht and/or sea service testimonials, and craft apprenticeship details, if any, and other documents listed in the applications form must be sent to the Seafarer Standards Branch.

Warsash Maritime Academy will give guidance to candidates seeking to obtain an NOE but can not intercede with the MCA on their behalf.

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