Yacht Engineer Training Courses

Becoming a 2^nd Engineer:

There are three routes to obtaining a 2^nd Engineer Officer Small Vessel Certificate of Competency’ (Previously known as Y4):

• Standard Route
• Experienced Seafarer Route
• Alternative Route (For Graduate Engineers)

Standard Route:

This standard route benefits those who study through an accepted route of education involving MSQ (Maritime Studies Qualifications) modules. Completion of these will result in a Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Engineer’. This route is extremely beneficial to superyacht engineers because of the reduced sea time required and because some of the syllabi can be completed on-board.

In order to follow this route, you must:

• Hold a Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Engineer
• Complete Approved Engine Course I (AEC I) as well as The Approved Engine Course II (AEC II)
• Have completed 12 months’ combined sea service and workshop training, which must include:
  - 6 months’ seagoing service engaged in watchkeeping or Unmanned Machinery Space (UMS) duties on vessels of at least 350 kW;
  - 5 months’ seagoing service on vessels of at least 350 kW;
  - 2 weeks MCA-approved Initial Workshop Skills Training;
  - A further 2 weeks seagoing service on vessels of at least 350 kW or 2 weeks of MCA-approved additional Workshop Skills Training.
• Complete the MNTB Small Vessel Training Record Book (TRB)
• Complete the Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Engineer
• Pass the MCA-approved written exams for
  - Marine Diesel Engineering;
  - Auxiliary Equipment Part – 1;
  - Operational procedures, Basic Hotel Services and Ship construction
• Hold the applicable ancillary and safety courses:
  - All STCW Basic Training Modules
  - PSCRB
  - Advanced Fire Fighting
  - Proficiency in Medical First Aid
  - Human Element, Leadership and Management (Operational Level)
• Hold a valid ENG1 Medical Certificate or MCA accepted Equivalent
• Complete MCA oral examination for Second Engineer Officers on Small Vessels less than 9000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2 (syllabus available online, go to www.gov.uk and search “Small Vessel Oral Examination Syllabus”).

Experienced Seafarer Route:

This route is for existing seafarers serving on small vessels. You will not be required to complete the Diploma in Maritime Studies: Small Vessel Engineer, however you will need to complete a preparatory college course and SQA written examinations.

To be eligible to register for a study programme you must meet the following requirements:

• Have completed 24 months’ seagoing service on vessels of at least 200 kW
• Hold an Approved Engine Course (Both AEC 1 & AEC 2)
• Hold STCW Basic Safety Training certificates:
  - Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Code A-VI/1-1)
  - Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (STCW Code A-VI/1-2)
  - Elementary First Aid (STCW Code A-VI/1-3)
  - Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW Code A-VI/1-4)

Requirements / Notice Eligibility to sit MCA Oral Exam:

In addition to the above, candidates must complete the following in order to be issued with a Notice of Eligibility (NOE) to sit an MCA oral examination:

• Additional 11 months’ seagoing on a vessel of 350 kW (must include a minimum of 6 months' seagoing service engaged in watchkeeping or UMS duties)
• 2 weeks MCA-approved initial Workshop Skills Training
• A further 2 weeks seagoing service on vessels of at least 350 kW
  or
  2 weeks of MCA-approved additional Workshop Skills Training.
• Complete the SV Training Record Book (TRB) during your seagoing service.

Certificate of Competency (Coc):

In addition to completing all of the experienced seafarer route requirements above, the candidate must:

1. Complete and pass the following courses:

• • • MCA Marine Diesel Engineering
    • MCA Auxiliary Equipment Part - 1
    • Operational procedures, Basic Hotel Services and Ship Construction

2. Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates listed in section 5:

- All STCW Basic Training Certificates
- PSCRB
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Proficiency in Medical First Aid
- Human Element, Leadership and Management (HELM Operational Level)

3. Hold a valid ENG1 Medical or ENG1 Medical Equivalent Certificate
4. Pass the MCA oral examination for Second Engineer Officers on Small Vessels less than 9000 kW, less than 3000 GT, unlimited area, III/2 (syllabus available online, go to www.gov.uk and search “Small Vessel Oral Examination Syllabus”)

Alternative Route: (For Graduate Engineers:)

This route is for those candidates who hold a relevant engineering degree/diploma/apprenticeship. These qualifications should be sent to an MCA-approved training provider who will analyze their relevance and explain what the individual should do in order to obtain a 2^nd Engineer Officer Small Vessel CoC.

More information on the types of Graduate and Apprenticeship holders that qualify for this training route can be found in section 3.5 of the MIN 524 Notice.

If you are deemed eligible to enter into this programme you will need to apply directly to an MCA-approved nautical college. In order to find an appropriate college, search www.gov.uk for “MCA-approved nautical colleges".

In order to gain the Certificate of Competency you must:

• • Complete a minimum of 6 months’ seagoing service engaged in watchkeeping duties
  • Additional seagoing service / Workshop Skill training requirements based on the relevant HND, HNC or Engineering Apprenticeship, as laid out in point 3.5.3 of the MIN 534 Notice.
  • Hold an Approved Engine Course I (AEC I)
  • Hold an Approved Engine Course II (AEC II)
  • 2 weeks MCA-approved initial Workshop Skills Training
  • Successfully Complete the MCA-approved modules and pass the corresponding exams for:- Marine Diesel Engineering
    - Auxiliary Equipment Part - 1
    - Operational Procedures, Basic Hotel Services & Ship Construction
  • Hold the applicable ancillary and safety course certificates:- All STCW Basic Training Certificates
    - PSCRB
    - Advanced Fire Fighting
    - Proficiency in Medical First Aid
    - Human Element, Leadership and Management (HELM Operational Level)
  • Hold a valid ENG1 Medical or ENG1 Medical Equivalent Certificate
  • Pass the MCA oral examination for Second Engineer Officers on Small Vessels.