Recognition
Governing: STCW reg I/10; MCA MSN 1867 (as amended); MCA FSE guidance (2025). Builds on: L2.1, L2.2. See also: SAMSA Seafarer Certification and the STCW Route.
The principle
A Certificate of Competency is issued by one administration. To serve as an officer on a ship of another flag, you need that flag's recognition, under STCW regulation I/10. The UK's form of recognition used to be called a Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC); the MCA now calls it a Flag State Endorsement (FSE).
This lesson concerns SA officers who already hold, or are working towards, a SAMSA STCW CoC: merchant deck and engineer officers, many of whom have come through the Cape Town and Durban maritime colleges and cadet schemes. How SAMSA CoCs are obtained is taught in SAMSA Seafarer Certification and the STCW Route.
Is South Africa on the list?
The original MSN 1867 (M) (June 2015) sets out the CEC/FSE scheme but does not list the countries. It points to an MCA-maintained list. That list, "List of countries accepted towards issuing a UK FSE", was last updated 30 January 2025 when checked and shows:
| Country | CoC accepted | GMDSS | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Africa | Yes | Yes | No proof required |
The MCA's FSE guidance (updated 14 February 2025) repeats that no proof of English is required for holders of a South African STCW CoC.
What you need to apply
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| CoC | Valid SAMSA STCW CoC at the relevant level |
| Medical | Valid seafarer medical certificate |
| English | Exempt for SA CoC holders |
| GMDSS | Deck officers only |
| UK law | Masters must pass UKLAP1, an online proctored exam since 1 March 2025 |
CAUTION - An FSE mirrors your CoC The endorsement lets you serve in the capacity, and within the limits, of the SA certificate it is based on. It does not upgrade it. A SAMSA OOW gets an OOW-level FSE.
Merchant CoC or yacht CoC?
Most SA officers on large yachts hold MCA yacht CoCs obtained through the route in L2.1, not FSEs. The FSE route suits officers with substantial SAMSA merchant certification who want to work on UK-flag vessels without re-qualifying. Whether a particular FSE is suitable for a particular yacht post, and how its limitations read against the yacht's safe manning document, should be confirmed with the MCA and the yacht's management company before accepting the job.
Other flags
Cayman, Marshall Islands, Malta and other registries run their own I/10 recognition. Each decides which administrations it recognises and on what terms. If your yacht is not UK-flagged, the FSE is irrelevant; the yacht's flag endorsement is what counts. Management companies usually handle the application.
TIP - Keep the SA CoC alive An endorsement lapses with the CoC it is based on. Revalidate your SAMSA CoC on time, even while working abroad, and keep SAMSA contact details and sea-service evidence to hand.
The processing side
The MCA guidance describes a standard processing target of about 20 working days and an emergency Confirmation of Receipt of Application service (listed at £74 when checked). Apply before the job, not on the dock.