New Certification for UK Yacht Crew & Crew on UK Yachts

The UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued a new Marine INformation Notice (MIN)  655 titled 'New Style Certificates for UK Seafarers and those working onboard UK Ships'

The notice explains that UK seafarers and those working on UK-flagged vessels will receive the new photocard certificates from the MCA wherever they are in the world. 

In addition to the seafarer’s details and qualifications, the cards feature a QR code which links to the MCA certification database, allowing port officials and crew managers to immediately verify the credentials of the seafarer online.  

The new style waterproof certificates will be issued for Certificates of Competency and Boatmasters’ Licences. Certificates of Equivalent Competency have been similarly redesigned and as part of the update will now be called Flag State Endorsement. The photocards will be issued to all new applicants, as well as those who were given temporary certificates on a renewal basis by the MCA to allow them to continue their vital work during the pandemic. 

It is a change that comes as part of the UK Flag state’s wider commitment to modernise its services to seafarers helping to consolidate the red ensign as the world's leading register for yachts.

As well as issuing new cards, the MCA will now be accepting digital copies of seafarer documentation, with a random sample requiring original documents.  

A copy of MIN 655 can be found here.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Oceanskies Crew team for further information.

Back to News