Entry & progression
Governing: 46 CFR 10.205, 10.227; 11.302(b)–(e), 11.303(b)–(e); 12.613(b), 12.615(b), 12.617(b); NMC checklists MCP-FM-NMC5-241 (02) and MCP-FM-NMC5-224 (05). Builds on: every lesson in this course.
The clocks
| Item | Clock | Kept current by |
|---|---|---|
| MMC and all its endorsements | 5 years (10.205) | Renewal under 10.227; up to 1 year of grace after expiry |
| Medical certificate | 2 years on STCW vessels (15.1103(h)) | New CG-719K. Covered in USCG The MMC Application |
| Basic Training | 5 years (11.302(b), 12.602(b)) | 360 days plus revalidation course, or BT refresher |
| Advanced Firefighting | 5 years (11.303(b)) | 1 year in 5 plus shore elements, or refresher |
| PSC / PSC-Limited | 5 years (12.613(b), 12.615(b)) | 360 days plus valid BT renewal, or refresher or original course |
| FRB | 5 years (12.617(b)) | 360 days plus valid BT renewal, or refresher or original course |
| Passenger-ship V/2 | 5 years (11.1105(b)) | 1 year in 5, or training |
| Officer training lines | At issue and renewal | Leadership, ECDIS if fitted |
| MFA, PIC Medical Care, SA, VPDSD, VSO, GMDSS | Run with the MMC (10.205(b)) | Confirm current NMC renewal practice |
CAUTION – “1 year” or “360 days”? The regulations say “1 year of sea service within the last 5 years”. The NMC checklists count 360 days. Plan to the checklist figure, and remember that sea service is documented and evaluated under 10.232. Covered in USCG Engineering: Sea Service, Manning and the Yacht.
Lining the clocks up
1. Pick an anchor date. Use the MMC expiry. Aim to renew the MMC and revalidate BT, AFF and PSC in the same 6 to 8 months.
2. Book shore elements first. The pool, fire ground and survival craft assessments cannot be done at sea. Book a combined revalidation week 4 to 6 months before the MMC renewal application.
3. Collect sea service letters as you go. Ask for a letter at every sign-off. Each should state the vessel’s tonnage, the dates, your capacity, and that the yacht holds regular fire, emergency and abandon-ship drills.
4. Apply once. A single 10.231 or 10.227 transaction can renew the MMC, add new STCW endorsements and restart the clocks together (10.231(b)).
TIP – The post-dated renewal 10.205(a): a renewal with no other transactions may be post-dated up to 8 months from acceptance of a complete application. Apply early without losing validity.
Crew who work both flags
Many US crew work Red Ensign yachts, and many foreign crew hold US MMCs. The two systems issue their own documents:
- The USCG issues endorsements on the MMC against Coast Guard-approved or accepted training (Lesson 1.3).
- The MCA issues its own certificates against MCA-approved courses.
The STCW Code tables underneath are the same: A-VI/1 BT, A-VI/2 PSC and FRB, A-VI/3 AFF, A-VI/4 medical, A-VI/6 security, A-IV/2 GMDSS. The content in the xplor MCA library therefore serves both. The paperwork does not.
| Topic | xplor MCA library course |
|---|---|
| Basic Training | MCA Basic Safety Training |
| Advanced Firefighting | MCA Advanced Fire Fighting |
| PSC and FRB | MCA PSCRB, MCA Fast Rescue Boat |
| Medical | MCA Medical First Aid, MCA Proficiency in Medical Care |
| GMDSS | MCA GMDSS SRC/ROC/GOC |
| ECDIS, Radar, HELM | MCA ECDIS, MCA Radar/ARPA, MCA HELM |
| Security | MCA Security |
WARNING – Two refreshers, possibly A crew member holding both flags may need a Coast Guard-approved revalidation for the MMC and an MCA-approved refresher for the MCA certificate. Where one school holds both approvals, ask for both certificates from one course. Where divergence matters, see USCG and MCA: What Carries Across.
TIP – Check electronic reporting From 25 November 2026 approved schools report completions to the Coast Guard electronically (10.403(a)(7)). Keep your own copy anyway.