STCW 

Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

STCW is an international agreement by the maritime nations to mutually accept certain seafaring qualifications.

On British flagged vessels operating in the UK or in many non-UK ports, an RYA certificate of competence with a standard commercial endorsement fulfils all legal requirements.

However, some marine administrations prefer additional STCW qualifications.

Holders of commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster™ Offshore and Yachtmaster™ Ocean certificates of competence can obtain an additional endorsement to comply with STCW if they hold the following certificates:

• STCW personal safety and social responsibilities (half a day)
• STCW elementary first aid (one day)
• STCW fire fighting and fire prevention (two days)
• STCW personal survival techniques (one day)

A list of RYA training centres offering STCW courses is available.

MCA certificates

MCA Master of Coded vessels less than 200gt and other higher large yacht MCA qualifications are STCW accredited.