Sea service
Governing: MSN 1861 (M) Amendment 1, section 3; MSN 1858 (M) Amendment 2, section 5. Builds on: L1.1.
The three routes
MSN 1861 Amendment 1, section 3.2: you must show approved seagoing service performing functions appropriate to the certificate held for one of:
| Route | Requirement |
|---|---|
| A | At least 12 months in total during the preceding 5 years |
| B | At least 3 months in total during the preceding 6 months |
| C | At least 3 months as a supernumerary immediately before revalidation |
Most yacht officers meet Route A comfortably. Route B rescues someone who has been ashore for years and has just gone back to sea. Route C is for the officer who needs to get back in, sailing as an extra hand.
What service counts
Section 3.3 sets the vessel test by certificate:
| Certificate | Qualifying service |
|---|---|
| Unlimited deck CoC | Master or deck officer on seagoing ships over 80 GT or 24 m |
| Engineer or ETO CoC | Engine department on seagoing ships of at least 750 kW |
| Yacht-restricted CoC | Master or deck officer on yachts over 15 m; yacht service includes actual sea service, stand-by service and yard service |
| Code vessel CoC | 6 months on Code vessels in the 5 years before revalidation |
Service must be on vessels operating outside UK categorised waters, or beyond harbour limits elsewhere (section 3.4).
CAUTION — Functions appropriate to the certificate Service as a deckhand does not revalidate a Master's CoC. The service must be in the capacity of Master or deck officer (or equivalent for engineers).
Counting it
MSN 1861 and MSN 1858 use the same definitions:
- Service runs from engagement to discharge.
- A month is a calendar month, or 30 days if made up of periods of less than a month.
- MSN 1858 Amendment 2 defines yacht stand-by service (immediately after a voyage while preparing for the next, maximum 14 consecutive days, never more than the previous voyage) and yard service (standing by a build, refit or repair).
Worked example
A second officer on rotation does three 45-day trips a year.
| Period | Days | Months (30-day) |
|---|---|---|
| Last 2 years, 6 trips | 6 x 45 = 270 | 270 / 30 = 9 |
| Last 6 months, 2 trips | 2 x 45 = 90 | 90 / 30 = 3 |
Route A fails (9 months, short of 12) if she has no other service in the 5 years. Route B succeeds (3 months in the last 6). Apply while Route B is still true.
Evidence
Section 2.2(c) accepts service documented in:
- a Merchant Navy discharge book;
- certificates of discharge;
- a PYA Service Record Book or similar MCA-approved service record book.
Masters must also provide a company letter verifying their sea service; self-certified time is not accepted (unless in a PYA or approved record book signed by an authorised official). MSF 4201 says the same. Module 4 covers records and verification.
TIP — Yard periods count, but label them For yacht-restricted CoCs, refit and build supervision counts. Make sure testimonials separate sea, stand-by and yard time clearly, so the assessor does not have to guess.