APPENDIX 3 - THE MANNING OF SMALL VESSELS

 NOTE: This Appendix and any associated wording in section 26 may be subject to review, and subsequently amended, prior to the next substantive revision of the Workboat Code.

This Appendix gives information relating to the manning and operation of small vessels in commercial use as follows:

Section 1 - Areas of Application

Section 2 - Minimum Qualifications of the Person in Charge of the Vessel and the Additional Person When Required To Be Carried

Section 3 - Revalidation of Certificates and Licences

Section 4 - MCA Approved Engine Course

General

Vessels to which this Code applies and which comply with its requirements, will be exempt from the need to comply fully with the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997, (SI 1997 No. 348), as amended, and the Merchant Shipping (Safe Manning, Hours of Work and Watchkeeping) Regulations 1997 (SI 1997 No.1320), as amended, provided the manning of the vessel is in accordance with the standards given in paragraph 2 below when operating in the areas described in paragraph 1 below.

1. Areas of Application

Commercially operated vessels operating within the following areas should carry at least the qualified personnel shown in section 2 below:-

2. Minimum Qualifications of the Person in Charge of the Vessel (Master) and of the Additional Persons required to be carried on Board

2. General

2.1.1 All Certificates and Licences of Competency or Service are to be appropriate to the type of vessel in which they are used.

2.1.2 Any person appointed as a Master must be a minimum age of 18 years.

2.1.3 All seafarers should be trained or certified or otherwise qualified to perform their duties. Training may include on board training or supervised experience, such that the seafarer is competent to perform their duties safely and without risk to others.

2.2 Commercial Endorsement of Certificates

2.2.1 RYA certificates of competency and/or service should carry the endorsement – “valid for commercial use on vessels subject to the Codes of Practice published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency”. To receive such a commercial endorsement, holders of certificates of competency should hold a valid Medical Fitness Certificate (see 2.6 for the appropriate medical certificate for the area of operation), the Basic Sea Survival Course or the Personal Survival Techniques course (STCW Table A-VI/1-1), as appropriate, and the Professional Practices and Responsibilities requirements described in 2.6, 2.7 and 2.10 below.

2.2.2 Holders of International Yacht Training (IYT) certificates, or those with STCW certificates of competency should be aware of their designated safety and pollution prevention duties in the operation of the ship and are required to complete those elements of MCA approved basic training courses. The four elements of basic training are:

• .1 personal survival techniques (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-1);
• .2 fire prevention and fire fighting (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-2);
• .3 elementary first aid (STCW Code – Table A-VI/1-3); and
• .4 personal safety and social responsibilities (STCW Code A- VI/1-4).

2.3 Qualifications Required

2.3.1 A vessel should be manned, as a minimum, in accordance with the qualifications indicated in Tables A3.1 and A3.2 of this Appendix. Qualifications differing from those tabled, but of equal standing or specialist application, will be considered by the MCA.

2.4 Stability Training

2.4.1 Where a Stability Information Booklet (SIB) is required to be carried on board, it is required that as a minimum, the Master should complete an MCA approved stability course.

2.5 Radio Qualifications

2.5.1 Every vessel should carry at least one person holding a Radio Operator’s Certificate suitable for the radio equipment on board. See section 16 – radio communications.

2.6 Medical Fitness Certificates

2.6.1 All seafarers should hold a valid medical fitness certificate. The medical fitness certificate for anyone employed at sea is the seafarer’s medical certificate (ENG1), following a medical examination, from an approved doctor appointed by the Secretary of State, listed on the MCA’s website (www.gov.uk/mca) or a seafarer’s medical fitness certificate obtained from a country whose medical certificates are accepted as being equivalent to the UK ENG 1 medical certificate, these countries are listed on the MCA website (www.gov.uk/mca). Seafarers on vessels that are required to comply with the MLC must hold an ENG 1 or a medical certificate accepted as equivalent to the ENG 1 by the MCA regardless of the category of operation.

2.6.2 For those employed on workboats and pilot boats that operate no further than 60 miles from a UK safe haven on a domestic voyage and are not subject to MLC requirements (Area Categories 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6) the alternative ML5 certificate is acceptable. The ML5 certificate is attached to the ML5 report which is completed by a GMC registered medical practitioner with a licence to practice on the basis of a satisfactory ML5 report. An ML5 certificate is valid for no more than 5 years. The ML5 report form must be downloaded from MCA’s website (www.gov.uk/mca). Those of 65 years of age and over are required to re-validate their ML5 certificate annually.

(Note - Additional guidance on both ENG1 and ML5 certificates can be found in MSN 1822(M). Marine Guidance Note MGN 264 (M)^footnoteand any subsequent amendment).

2.6.3 As an alternative to section 2.6.2 above, for vessels operating no further than 60 miles from a safe haven, the following will be accepted as evidence of medical fitness:

• CAA commercial pilot's licence,
• HSE diving medical certificate,
• DVLA Group 2 Drivers Licence.

2.6.4 The following conditions will also apply:

• .1 The validity of the evidence of medical fitness would be that of the validity of the parent licence, e.g. one year in the case of a CAA commercial pilot’s licence.

• .2 In the case of the DVLA Group 2 Driver’s licence, evidence of satisfactory colour vision will be required.

• .3 In the case of the above-named equivalent medicals, a declaration will be required, signed by the applicant confirming the following:

  • .1 The contact details of the examining doctor, their consent for the MCA to obtain further medical information if required, and the date of the examination; and

  • .2 That they have not had any medical conditions requiring hospital admission, regular prescribed medication, or continuing medical surveillance, since the alternative medical was carried out; and

  • .3 That they have no conditions limiting strength, stamina, or flexibility, such that they could not cope with emergencies on board, such as recovering someone who has fallen overboard or fighting a fire; and

  • .4 That they will seek revised medical fitness certification and submit this to the Administration if the licence accepted as evidence of medical fitness is revoked for any reason, or if they suffer any illness or accident affecting their fitness to operate the vessel, during the period of the licence/certificate.

2.7 Basic Sea Survival Course or Personal Survival Techniques Training Course

2.7.1 Masters of vessels to which the Code applies should hold an approved Survival Course Certificate. For operators following the STCW Certificate of Competence route, this should be the Personal Survival Techniques Training Certificate (STCW Table A-VI/1-1). Other operators may use the Basic Sea Survival Certificate.

2.7.2 All crew on vessels operating in category 0,1, or 2, including those carried as a second person according to Table A3.1 Deck Manning Requirements should have familiarisation training with LSA and emergency procedures on board to ensure that they are able to respond in emergency situations.

2.8 First Aid Training

2.8.1 Vessels that are required to comply with the MLC shall have either at least one seafarer on board who is in charge of medical care and administering medicine as part of their regular duties or at least one seafarer on board competent to provide medical first aid and hold the relevant STCW certificate. See MGN 147^footnote for further guidance.

2.8.2 The Master or a member of the crew on vessels which operate in Area Category 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 and do not need to comply with MLC requirements should hold an MCA approved Elementary First Aid Certificate (STCW Table A-VI/1-3) (or the First Aid at Sea Certificate or Medical First Aid Certificate), an RYA First Aid Certificate, or a SeaFish Basic First Aid Certificate, provided the use of Category ‘C’ medical stores is covered in the course.

2.8.3 Masters of vessels operating in Area Category 0 or 1 should hold a Proficiency in Medical Care Certificate (STCW Table A-VI/4-2) (or its predecessor, the Ship Captain’s Medical Certificate) unless another member of the crew holds a medical or nursing qualification of an equivalent or a higher standard.

2.8.4 The Master or nominated first-aider should undertake refresher training at least every five years.

2.8.5 In all cases the certificate held by the seafarer must relate to the category of medical chest on board regardless of the category of operation.

2.9 Fire Fighting Training

2.9.1 Every small workboat or pilot boat should have on board at least one crew member who has attended an MCA approved one day fire fighting course (e.g. the 1 day Boatmaster’s Licence Course, or 1 day Seafish Industry Authority course). Successful completion of a 3 day STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention course (STCW Table A-VI/1-2) or the equivalent Royal Navy course will be deemed acceptable. The Master or nominated fire fighter who have undertaken Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention should undertake a refresher training course at least every 5 years.

2.9.2 All crew on vessels more than 15m should hold a valid 3 day STCW Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention Course or the equivalent Royal Navy course.

2.10 RYA Professional Practices and Responsibilities

2.10.1 Masters holding RYA certificates of competency and/or service should complete the online Professional Practices and Responsibilities Certificate as part of their commercial endorsement.

2.11 Radar Training

2.11.1 In any vessel that carries radar, the Master and any member of the crew who is likely to use the radar is strongly recommended to undertake appropriate training e.g. the Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course, the MSQ unit ‘Use of Radar for Safe Navigation and Collision Avoidance on Domestic and Code Vessels’, or other course subsequently approved by the MCA. This strong recommendation becomes a requirement 3 years after the publication of this Code.

2.12 Catering Training

2.12.1 All seafarers engaged in the preparation of food will be required to undertake a 'Basic Food Hygiene’ or ‘Food Safety' course, level 2, as listed in MIN 559^footnote.

2.13 Electronic Chart Plotters Training

2.13.1 It is strongly recommended that training appropriate to the type of equipment on the vessel must be undertaken by the Master and any other crew member responsible for navigation. This strong recommendation becomes a requirement 3 years after publication of this code.

Note: the MSQ unit ‘Operate non-ECDIS marine Electronic Chart Systems’, developed by the NWA has been approved by the MCA as meeting this requirement.

2.14 Training for Navigation Equipment in Excess of Code Requirements

2.14.1 Where navigation equipment is carried in excess of the code requirements, the Master and any member of the crew likely to use the equipment should undertake appropriate training in the use of that equipment. e.g. ECDIS^footnote see MIN 503(M)^footnote, as amended.

3. Revalidation of Certificates of Competency or Service

3.1 All Certificates (whether of competency or service), must be revalidated every five years. Information on revalidation requirements can be found on the MCA website (https://www.gov.uk/mca) for STCW and other certificates of competency, or on the RYA website (rya.co.uk) for their certificates.

3.2 Refresher Training

From 1^st January 2017 any seafarer holding certain STCW short courses will require to have these refreshed, information can be found on the MCA website (www.gov.uk/mca) and in MIN 535(M)^footnote (and any subsequent amendment) and MSN 1865^footnote (as amended).

The owner/manager of the vessel is responsible for ensuring that any on board training and other training is refreshed as necessary.

4. MCA Approved Engine Course

4.1 An Approved Engine Course (AEC) is a course of at least two weeks duration which is approved or recognised by the MCA, this is constituted by AEC Part 1 and Part 2. A "Certificate of Attendance" will be given by the course organisers to persons satisfactorily completing the course. The original AEC is now renamed the AEC Part 1. See Table A3.2 for engineering manning requirements.

4.2 The AEC Part 2, which includes additional practical tasks compared to the 30 hour AEC Part 1, has been developed as a new qualification, and details of this are published in MIN 524^footnote. The Part 2 qualification is also a one week course, and existing candidates may upgrade their existing qualification after completing the necessary practical part of the course. It will not be a requirement, for persons crewing on workboats that the AEC Part 1 applies to, to attain this higher level Part 2 qualification.

4.3 Persons who are able to demonstrate to the satisfaction of the MCA that they have the appropriate engineering experience and competency may be granted exemption from the requirement to attend an Approved Engine Course. The syllabus for these courses are published on the www.gov.uk website.

4.4 In addition to the above, it is strongly recommended that for vessels where there is installed propulsion power greater than 1500 kW or the vessel is fitted with equipment, essential to its operation, that is not included in the syllabus of the engineering qualification held, an applicable manufacturer’s, or equivalent, course should be attended.

TABLE A3.1 – Minimum Deck Manning Requirements for Small Workboats

Note 1 Qualifications differing from those tabled, but of equal standing or specialist application will be considered by MCA. MGN 411 (M+F)^footnote provides accepted alternatives.

Note 2 Vessels regularly engaged on near coastal voyages from ports outside the UK, have to abide by the manning requirements of the Administration regulating that coastal area.

Note 3 Refer section 2.2.1 – RYA/MCA certificates of competency and/or service, and other MCA recognised certificates, should carry the endorsement

– “valid for commercial use on vessels subject to the Codes of Practice published by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency”.

Note 4 Relevant experience, in terms of manning, is understood to mean that described in section 26.2. Note A Certificate should be designated motor or sail as appropriate.

Note B Holders of MCA Boatmaster's Licences are accepted for use on workboats and pilot boats, limited to the area of the licence and any endorsements on it. Such licences must be re-validated as appropriate. Refer to MSN 1853(M)^footnote.

Note C Competent Authority in respect of manning requirements means either the Maritime and Coastguard Agency or an organisation that issues Certificates of Competence which has applied for and granted recognition by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency as having the appropriate technical and administrative expertise.

Note D Local Authority Licence - only those Local Authorities that have the approval of the MCA may issue Licences under this Code.

Note E Only valid for use on vessels up to 200GT, and under this Code this restriction is further limited to vessels to which this Code is applicable. MCA qualification, for details refer to MSN 1858^footnote.

Note F Where the vessel is used in accordance with 26.7 (Towing Endorsements), the Master must have a minimum of an RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat Certificate.

Note G MCA qualification, for details refer to MGN 496^footnote (or subsequent amendment).

TABLE A3.2 – Minimum Engineering Manning Requirements Small Workboats

Note 1 Qualifications differing from those tabled, but of equal standing or specialist application will be considered by the MCA. Note 2 The person holding the engineering requirement may be a crew member listed in Table A3.1.

Note 3 In all cases, one of the crew should be sufficiently familiar with the operation and maintenance of the vessel's machinery to ensure safe passage.

Note 4 Power Vessel W is a Power Vessel employed in towing operations, lifting operations or carriage of cargo greater than 1000 kg. Note 5 Power Vessel SL is a Power Vessel other than Power Vessel designated by Power Vessel W.

Note 6 Over 3,000 kW and less than 6,000 kW registered propulsion power: the certificate holder is also required to have attended an

approved engine manufacturer’s course appropriate to the engine type and power range.

Note 7 MEOL / SMEOL applies to less than 750 kW registered power vessels of 24 m or more in LL length, in the case of small vessels <24 m LL length, this qualification can be used on more than 750 kW registered power vessels shown above.