The flowchart
Governing: Commercial Yachting Notice 15 (24 Apr 2026). Builds on: Module 2.
Why it was issued
Before CY Notice 15, crew departments asked TM the same questions again and again: does an AEC need endorsing? Does an ETO? What about the second GOC holder? The notice answers with a flowchart and a set of operational notes. It sits beside MS Notice 92 Rev.2 (the procedure) and CYC 17.2 (what is accepted).
TM's own notice list dates it 24 April 2026. One law firm says 6 May 2026. Use the TM date.
The shape of it
As far as the text extracts let us read it:
- Does the officer hold an STCW CoC?
- No → it is a non-STCW CoC: Master of Yachts, Yachtmaster, AEC, or another certificate on the CYC 17.2.5 or sCYC 16.6 list. Outcome: endorsement not applicable, but written acceptance required from yachtsmalta.tm@transport.gov.mt.
- Yes → it is an STCW CoC under II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2, III/6, IV/2 or VII/2. Then: do any of the yacht's particulars (power, GT, navigation area) exceed a limitation on the CoC?
- Depending on the answer, the flow leads to either "Endorsement to be applied for in accordance with MS Notice 92 Rev.2" or "Written confirmation required … before applying for Endorsement".
- A further terminal box reads "Endorsement not required (see Additional Notes 2 & 3)". Notes 2 and 3 deal with deck GMDSS and assistant engineers, which suggests this box covers posts such as AE rather than ordinary officers.
CAUTION — The arrows need checking We read CY Notice 15 through text extraction, not the drawn PDF, and two extractions disagreed on which way the "exceeds a limitation" branch runs. What the notice says in words is clear, and it is what to rely on: any officer holding a non-Maltese STCW CoC "shall hold a valid Malta Endorsement", even in a post the MSMC does not require. Where the yacht exceeds the CoC's limits, expect TM to want a written view before, or as well as, the endorsement.
The four outcomes in practice
| Outcome | Typical case | Action |
|---|---|---|
| Endorsement (MS 92 Rev.2) | MCA, USCG, AMSA or EU STCW officer CoC | Seafarer Portal, €60 |
| Written confirmation before endorsing | STCW CoC whose limits the yacht exceeds (GT, kW, area) | Email the Yachts Section first |
| Written acceptance (no endorsement) | Yachtmaster, IYT, TM Master on Yachts, AEC, Y-tickets | Email the Yachts Section |
| Endorsement not required | Ratings; AE holding a non-STCW certificate (acceptance still needed) | Keep BST and medical on board |
The operational notes, briefly
- Note 1: check the recognised list first (Lesson 1.2).
- Note 2: deck CoCs are endorsed with GOC or ROC (Lesson 2.1).
- Note 3: assistant engineers (Lesson 3.3).
- Ratings need at least STCW VI/1 basic training; security awareness for everyone on yachts of 500 GT and over.
- Dual roles need written confirmation (Lesson 3.3).
- Originals of all certificates and endorsements stay on board, "fully available for inspection at all times".
TIP — Do the flowchart at the interview stage Put each candidate's certificates through the flowchart before the offer letter. It takes five minutes and tells you whether he can start on day one, needs an email to Malta, or cannot fill the post.