Entry & progression
Governing: MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1, sections 4.3 to 4.5 and Annexes A and E; MSN 1858 (M) Amendment 2, section 6. Builds on: Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF); see also Keeping Your CoC Valid.
Getting the certificate
MSN 1865 section 4.3 sets two conditions for a Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced Fire Fighting:
- Hold a CoP in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (Table A-VI/1-2), or similar training acceptable to the MCA.
- Complete an MCA-approved AFF course meeting section A-VI/3, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Code.
Who needs it on yachts
MSN 1858 Amendment 2 section 6 lists AFF as required for:
| Yacht deck CoC | AFF required |
|---|---|
| Master (Code Vessel) <200 GT | No |
| OOW (Yachts) <3000 GT | No |
| Chief Mate (Yachts) <3000 GT | Yes |
| Master (Yachts) <500 GT and <3000 GT | Yes |
| Chief Mate / Master (Yachts) Unlimited | Yes |
MSN 1865 Annex A Table 2 shows AFF refresher training required for yacht engineer certificates (Y1 to Y4) and the STCW engineering CoCs. In practice most yacht officers above OOW, and most engineers, hold AFF.
The five-year rule
Section 4.4 requires anyone serving on board and qualified in AFF to hold documentary evidence of completing the course or updating it within the last 5 years. MSN 1858 section 6 adds that you need that evidence for every CoC application, and must hold it on board to satisfy port state control.
Annex A note 2: if you update AFF, you must also update FPFF, whether or not FPFF formed part of your original certificate.
Onboard updating and the shore course
Section 4.5 allows some refresher elements to be done on board, recorded on a self-declaration form (Annex E for AFF). FPFF has no onboard option.
| Course | Self-declaration | Onboard elements all done | Shore course |
|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Fire Fighting | Annex E | Yes | 4 hours |
| Advanced Fire Fighting | Annex E | No | 7 hours |
| Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting | Not applicable | Not applicable | 7 hours |
The Annex E items cover control of fire-fighting operations: organisation, tactics and command; communication and coordination; ventilation control and smoke extraction; control of fuel and electrical systems; process hazards; storage and handling of materials; management of injured persons; and coordination with shore-based fire fighters. You declare that in the last 5 years you completed onboard training and experience in each, listing vessels, IMO numbers and dates.
TIP - Build the evidence as you go Keep a simple record of the fire drills you have led, tabletop exercises, isolations practised and shore fire service liaison. When the refresher is due, the Annex E form takes minutes and saves you three hours ashore.
CAUTION - Do not let it lapse on charter Plan the refresher into leave or yard periods. An expired AFF found at a port state control inspection is a detainable deficiency for the yacht and an embarrassment for you.
Which document governs
MSN 1858 Amendment 2 refers to 'MSN 1865 (Amendment 2)'. At the time of writing the current published version found was Amendment 1; check gov.uk for the latest before relying on the figures above.