Proving your service
Governing: MSN 1861 (M) Amendment 1 s.2.2(c); MSN 1858 (M) Amendment 2 s.5; MIN 543 (M). Builds on: L1.2.
What the MCA accepts
MSN 1861 Amendment 1 accepts seagoing service documented in:
| Evidence | Notes |
|---|---|
| Merchant Navy discharge book | Relevant vessel entries and personal details pages |
| Certificates of discharge | MSN 1858 A2 Annex B has the MCA Yacht Certificate of Discharge |
| PYA Service Record Book or similar MCA-approved record book | Signed by an authorised official, it also avoids the Master's company letter |
| Company letters | For the 30-month occupation route; and required from Masters |
MSN 1858 Amendment 2 adds that discharge books and certificates of discharge are supported by testimonials (Annex A format), covering conduct and ability for the last 12 months and giving sea service and watchkeeping details.
Who signs
- Testimonials are signed by the Master of the vessel on which the service was performed.
- For service as Master, by the owner or a responsible person from the yacht management company, such as a director or yacht manager.
- Where service is in doubt, the MCA accepts it only on written confirmation by a responsible person with personal knowledge of the facts.
MSF 4201 repeats that Masters need a company letter signed by an authorised official, because the MCA cannot accept self-attested evidence.
Counting days
From MSN 1858 Amendment 2:
- 4 hours' working duty in 24 counts as 1 day.
- Time at anchor as part of a passage can count as seagoing service; at the end of a passage it is stand-by.
- Stand-by: maximum 14 consecutive days, never more than the previous voyage.
- Yard service: standing by a build, refit or repair.
- Watchkeeping: 4 hours accrued counts as 1 day, but no more than 1 day in any 24 hours.
Verification
MIN 543 (M) (March 2017) set up verification of yacht sea service testimonials by two organisations only: the Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and Nautilus International. They confirm identity, check data and plausibility, and contact the signatory. The MCA still verifies directly, but warned of processing delays of around 160 days without PYA or Nautilus verification. Verifiers must keep records for at least ten years.
CAUTION — Status of MIN 543 The notice states "This MIN expires 28 March 2022." It is still published on gov.uk and the MCA's current yacht deck guidance still tells candidates to have service approved by Nautilus or the PYA. Treat verification as expected practice and confirm the current position.
The PYA's service: testimonials are signed digitally by the Captain, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, Owner or Manager through the member's profile, reviewed in stages, and completed in up to 25 working days. Members get unlimited verification; non-members pay €50 per testimonial (minimum two on first submission).
TIP — Do it on the way out Get every testimonial signed and submitted for verification before you leave the yacht, while the captain is still there and remembers you.
Misconduct and fraud
MSN 1858 Amendment 2 warns that seafarers who desert, leave other than on discharge or commit misconduct may need 2 years' subsequent good-conduct service before an NOE or CoC. Fraudulent records can end an application and be referred to MCA Enforcement.