Seafarer Operations

Seafarer Operations switchboard

Phone: 0203 817 2200

Contact the Seafarer Operations switchboard for all enquiries relating to certification, training or boatmaster policy.

Phone lines are open 8:15am to 5pm, Monday to Friday (closed on UK bank holidays).

The Safe Manning team is available between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Thursday, and 9am to 4.30pm, Friday (closed on UK bank holidays).

If you need to contact Seafarer Operations outside these hours or on a UK bank holiday, please email the relevant team.

Boatmaster policy

Enquiries about boatmaster policy.

Email: boatmaster@mcga.gov.uk

Revalidation of certification

Revalidation of a UK deck or engineering Certificates of Competency (CoC) – excludes Global Management Distress Safety System (GMDSS) and Flag State Endorsement (FSE) or Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CEC) revalidation.

Email: revalidation@mcga.gov.uk

Deck certification

Applications for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE), Certificate of Competency (CoC), Rating Certificate, Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Logbook or MCA-issued Certificates of Proficiency.

Email: deck@mcga.gov.uk

Engineering certification

Applications for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE) Certificate of Competency (CoC) Rating Certificate or MCA-issued Certificates of Proficiency.

Email: engineering@mcga.gov.uk

Flag State Endorsement and Certificates of Equivalent Competency

Applications for, or revalidation of, a Flag State Endorsement (FSE), Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC), Authority to Operate Certificate (ATO) or UK Legal and Administrative Processes (UKLAP).

Email: fse@mcga.gov.uk

Global Maritime Distress and Safety System

Applications for, or revalidation of, a Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) endorsement.

Email: GMDSS@mcga.gov.uk

Safe Manning

Applications for a Safe Manning Certification or a Safe Manning Exemption.

Email: safemanning@mcga.gov.uk

Registry of Shipping and Seamen

Email: seafarers.registry@mcga.gov.uk

Phone: 020 3908 5200

Phone lines are open 7:30am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day). 9am to 4pm, Saturday and Sunday.

Contact the Registry of Shipping and Seamen (RSS) to enquire about:

• Seaman’s Discharge Book – applications if you’re a British seafarer or are working on a UK-registered ship or yacht
• British Seaman’s Card – applications for a card if you’re a British citizen
• Ships’ Cook Certificate of Competency – applications for an MCA-issued Ships’ Cook Certificate of Competency
• registering births and deaths in the following circumstances – a person who has given birth or died on board a UK-registered vessel, or a British citizen who has been born or died on board a non-UK-registered vessel
• applying for World War 2 and post-war medals for people who identify as having served as part of the British Merchant Navy during World War 2 and post-war campaigns

Boatmasters’ Licence (BML)

To enquire about a boatmaster application contact your Local marine office or RSS directly.

Exams contact details

Exams team

For all enquiries on certification verification.

Email: exams@mcga.gov.uk

Oral exam booking

For exam bookings and exam issues only.

Email: onlineoralexams@mcga.gov.uk

Support for Maritime Training

For enquiries about funding for Support for Maritime Training (SMarT).

Email: smart@mcga.gov.uk

Phone: 020 3817 2209

Training courses

For training providers queries relating to short course approvals.

Email: stc.courses@mcga.gov.uk