Deck Skipper of a Fishing Vessel and Engineer Officer of a Fishing Vessel

Regulators
  • Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Nations
United Kingdom
Sectors
  • Transport

Regulatory or professional bodies

Primary regulator

Regulatory authority
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Address

Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Phone number
+44 (0)2038 172 200

Regulation

Regulation summary

The MCA, on behalf of the Secretary of State issues these Certificates to fishermen once they have met the qualifying conditions.

Regulation type

Certification

Reserved activities

This Skipper qualification is required for all those who are required to take charge of a Fishing vessel of 16.5 metres and over.

The Engine Officer qualification is required for all those who are required to work as an Engineer Officer on a Fishing vessel with an engine size of 750kW and over.


Qualifications and experience

New professionals

Routes to qualification

To obtain a United Kingdom (UK) Fishing Certificate of Competency you must:

• Meet the minimum age requirement;
• Complete the minimum period of seagoing service;
• Undertake ancillary technical and safety training;
• Complete the appropriate programme(s) of education and training meeting the minimum vocational and academic standard;
• Meet medical standards (including eyesight);
• If applicable, pass an oral examination conducted by a Maritime and
Coastguard Agency (MCA) examiner.

Professionals from outside the UK

Recognition for professionals outside the UK
Some - qualifications from some countries may be recognised, but professionals from other countries will have to re-qualify
Summary of routes

The UK may recognise these qualifications from other countries if the training standards is seen as equivalent to the UK. This does not prevent the UK from requiring candidates to complete additional safety training and/or assessment.


Legislation

Title of relevant act or charter

The Merchant Shipping Act

Title of relevant act or charter

Statutory Instrument 1989 No. 126 The Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) Regulations 1989 as amended by Statutory Instrument 2004 No. 2169 The Fishing Vessels (Safety Training) (Amendment) Regulations 2004

The Fishing Vessels (Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) Regulations 1984 No. 1115 as amended by the Fishing Vessels
(Certification of Deck Officers and Engineer Officers) (Amendment) Regulations 1995 No, 1428

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