What you need to perform it
Primary qualification
- MCA OOW CoC (Yachts, less than 3,000 GT): yacht watchkeeping officer certificate with an STCW Regulation II/1 endorsement limited to yachts, per the MCA large-yacht deck certification guidance (yacht deck officers MSN — verify current number and amendment).
- Route prerequisites: Yacht Rating certificate and EDH, RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore, and MCA-approved sea service with a Training Record Book (unless an alternative service route applies — verify).
- Valid ENG1 medical certificate.
Basic STCW
- Full STCW A-VI/1 (4 modules) with five-yearly refresher.
- A-VI/2-1 (survival craft and non-fast rescue boats).
- A-VI/3 (advanced fire fighting) and A-VI/4-1 (medical first aid) per the MCA route (verify MSN).
Specific courses
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore (theory and practical exam) as the route's foundation.
- OOW Yachts modules: Navigation & Radar and General Ship Knowledge.
- HELM operational level (Human Element, Leadership and Management).
- GMDSS GOC (general operator).
- EDH — Efficient Deck Hand (earlier in the route).
- MCA OOW Yachts oral exam closing the certification.
Indicative experience
MCA criteria (as a guide — verify the current MSN): on the order of 36 months of service from age 16 with at least 250 actual days at sea, partly on yachts of significant length (≥ 15 m), documented with testimonials and the Training Record Book.
Observations
The CoC qualifies the holder as watch officer on yachts < 3,000 GT with no geographic limit; being a II/1 endorsement limited to yachts, moving to the merchant fleet requires additional modules and examination (as a guide). MCA ladder: Yacht Rating → EDH → OOW Yachts → Chief Mate Yachts → Master Yachts (500/3000 GT). Five-yearly revalidation with sea service and ENG1. The route's real bottleneck is usually documenting sea days: without signed testimonials, they do not count.
What this role does
The large-yacht bridge career route: documented sea service, Training Record Book, Yachtmaster Offshore and the OOW Yachts modules, closing with the MCA oral exam. It is the first officer ticket on the MCA yacht ladder and an STCW II/1 endorsement limited to yachts.
Typical watches
- Navigational watches as officer of the watch
Key responsibilities
- Keep the navigational watch as officer in charge, complying with COLREG and the master's orders.
- Maintain bridge operational safety and situational awareness (traffic, weather, depth).
- Apply the yacht's navigation and emergency procedures and lead the assigned watch.
Operational scope
- Commercial/private yachts and sailing training vessels <3,000 GRT without navigation limit
Profile reviewed by HydroAbyss (2026). Cited rules and timeframes are indicative: the final requirement is set by the flag State, the Administration and each company.