All You Need To Know About The UK CoC Examination

By Marineinsight On Jan 15, 2025

all-you-need-to-know-about-the-uk-coc-examination — All You Need To Know About The UK CoC Examination

The UK CoC, or the UK Certificate of Competency, holds remarkable value in the maritime industry. Seafarers with a UK CoC are more likely to be promoted and receive a high salary package.

Companies seek out talented seafarers, and having the UK CoC can be a significant advantage in today’s highly competitive job market.

Many seafarers seek UK CoC since it is the route to handling greater responsibility on the ship, managing either the Engineering or deck departments.

Companies prefer UK and India CoCs as they are reliable and trustworthy certificates of competency. Additionally, though Indian CoC is of equal value, the worldwide demand for UK-issued certificates is usually believed to be higher.

UK CoCs are also a preferred choice over certificates from other countries. Although the UK CoC was considered expensive earlier, its price today is comparable to that of other countries’ CoCs.

After submitting an application and clearing the oral exam, one attains the UK CoC issued by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The UK CoC meets the standards training certification and watchkeeping (STCW) requirements.

NOTE—An agreement for mutual recognition of COCs was signed between India and the UK for 5 years, effective 21 July 2022. Hence, the COEs of all management-level officers having UK COCs to work on Indian Vessels were extended until 20 July 2027.

About Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)

MCA is an executive agency of the UK’s Department of Transport responsible for implementing the country’s maritime safety policy. MCA was founded in 2002 and works to save lives on the coast and at sea.

MCA inspects and surveys ships to ensure they meet UK and international safety rules. It also provides various certifications to sailors and registration to ships and responds to maritime emergencies and pollution from ships and offshore structures.

MCA issues CoCs for Marine Engineers, Deck officers in the Merchant Navy, fishing vessels, yacht engineer officers, and Certificates of Equivalent Competency or CEC for UK Merchant and Fishing Vessels.

How do you get a UK Certificate of Competency?

Seafarers working on Merchant Navy Ships, commercial and private yachts, sail training vessels, tugs and workboats can apply for CoC by applying to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and provide:

Sea service testimonials
Certified copy of passport
Proof of completion of MCA-approved training and education courses
Applicable ancillary course certificates
Discharge book or certificates of discharge
Valid medical fitness certificate

Requirements for MEO Class IV UK CoC

Sea Service: You must complete at least 9 months of approved sea service in the engine room of ships of 750 kW or more. This would include 6 months as the 1st Assistant to the Engineer Officer in charge of the watch while performing watchkeeping or Unattended Machinery Space or UMS duties.

Total Sea Service: Another requirement is total sea service of a minimum of 33 months ( 24 plus 9 months) and complete the MNTB TRB ( MNTB: Merchant Navy Training Board ) (TRB: Training Record Books) over a period of 6 Months during this 9 month sailing time.

Training Record Book (TRB): Under this training scheme, one needs to complete the MNTB TRB during sea service.

Certification: You must have a Watch Rating Certificate (STCW III/4) from Panama if you do not have one from the Indian MMD.

For Fitters: Sea Service of up to 24 Months or 2 Years before getting a Watch Rating Certificate would be accepted, per new rules. But before applying for MNTB TRB, you must obtain a Watch Rating Certificate and complete another 9 months of sailing while completing MNTB TRB.

Documents needed to apply for college for MEO Class 4 in UK

University Application Form
Passport – 1st and last page
CC – 1st page and sea service stamped pages
STCW basic courses (PST + PSSR + FPFF + EFA)
Chief Engineer testimonials of at least 24 months
Watch Rating Certificate (STCW III/4)
Valid medical fitness certificate from a doctor recognised by DG Shipping in ANNEXURE IV format
Payment of 200 GBP in favour of the University (E-payment procedure)

Eligibility Criteria for 2nd Mates UK CoC

Sea Service: At least 36 Months on merchant vessels in an acceptable deck capacity, such as trainee OS, OS, Deck Cadet, Junior Officer, AB, Bosun with a medical certificate recognised by the MCA, UK.

Bridge-Watch Keeping: 6 Months of recorded bridge-watchkeeping duties.

Minimum 36 months of sea service: A must for taking the 2nd Mate’s exam in the UK.

Sea Service Stamps on CDC: Your CDC should have at least 36 months of sea service stamps, and non-Indian CDCs, such as Thai, Liberia, Bahamas, Panama, etc., are also accepted.

Company Sea-time Letter or Masters Testimonials: Needed for a minimum of 36 months of sea service.

Multiple Shipping Companies: If you sailed with different companies, you require sea-time letters from each company to total a minimum of 36 months.

The Bridge Watch-keeping Certificate: It must be mentioned that you fulfilled at least 8 Hours of Bridge watchkeeping duties each day as an Assistant to the main watchkeeper when the ship was at sea.