We use some essential cookies to make this website work.
We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.
We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.
You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.
Departments, agencies and public bodies
News stories, speeches, letters and notices
Detailed guidance, regulations and rules
Reports, analysis and official statistics
Consultations and strategy
Data, Freedom of Information releases and corporate reports
How ship security is managed in the UK, and how to comply with UK regulations on ship security.
Instructions on applying for STCW watch ratings, yacht ratings, or able seafarer certificates and information on gaining an efficient deck hand certificate
Addresses and phone numbers for the HM Coastguard centres. Do not use these details in an emergency, instead call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Guidance on gaining a GOC, ROC, LRC, STCW Endorsement or revalidating an STCW endorsement for a GMDSS certificate for working at sea on UK vessels.
The structure and requirements of “The Merchant Shipping (Boatmasters’ Qualifications, Crew and Hours of Work) Regulations 2015
Amendment 2 advises seafarers on the Dreadnought Medical Service at Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust in London.
This MIN outlines further guidance on the requirements for MCA Approved Training Providers and Nautical Colleges under regulation I/6 and I/8 of the STCW Code.
This Marine Information Note (MIN) provides information and outlines the updated Oral exam syllabus, for Merchant Navy deck officers.
This MSN outlines the requirements to revalidate all certificates of competency and tanker endorsements under the STCW convention and code.
This MSN outlines the certification structure, training and assessment requirements for yacht deck officers.
Guidance for applying for a Deck CoC for Commercial and Private Yachts.
This page contains The Code of Practice for the Safety of Small Fishing Vessels of less than 15m Length Overall and all associated information to be read alongside it.
Details for owners, operators, and masters of vessels on inland waters, including categorisation, how to apply, safety requirements and best practice.
This Notice outlines the training and assessment requirements for a Certificate of Competency for engineer officers working on small vessels. It also contains the requirements for the approval of training providers.
The manual for Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved doctors (ADs) carrying out medical assessments for seafarers.
This notice sets out the assessment dates for Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency (CoCs) from May 2026 until the end of the 2026/2027 academic year.
Amendment 3 outlines provisions of The Merchant Shipping (Watercraft) Order 2023 and their effect on the scope of the Merchant Shipping (Distress and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996.
Information on the MLC 2006 and ILO (188) compliant medical examination system - appointment of approved doctors and medical and eyesight standards.
The maps show the locations of the MCA marine offices
List of administrations whose Certificate of Competency (CoC) are accepted towards issuing a UK Flag State Endorsement (FSE)
Do not include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.
To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. Please fill in this survey (opens in a new tab and requires JavaScript).