The route to becoming a qualified Engineer in the superyacht industry has undergone a significant change over the last 10 years, with the MCA moving away from the Y route to the Small Vessel (SV) Certificate of Competency. For engineers working towards their next career milestone, this change raises important questions around training, certification, and future career progression.
While the terminology may seem like a straightforward update in the SV route from SV 2nd Engineer to SV EOOW, the implications for engineers, yacht operators, and the wider industry are worth exploring. In this blog, we take a closer look at what has changed, and what it means for those looking to progress through the engineering ranks.
As illustrated by the two Certificates of Competency (CoCs) below, both qualifications require the same level of training, education, examinations and MCA oral assessment. However, the key difference lies in the STCW level of certification and the responsibilities each qualification permits you to undertake.
The SV EOOW certificate is issued at the operational level, equivalent to the STCW EOOW Unlimited III/1 qualification but with the limitations of 3000 GT and 9000 kW. This allows holders to serve as a Second Engineer on some vessels, provided the vessel’s Minimum Safe Manning Document does not require a management-level III/2 qualification. This is where the distinction from the previous SV Second Engineer CoC becomes important, as the traditional SV ticket provided the management-level certification associated with III/2.
In practical terms, while the training and assessment requirements may be the same, the qualification you receive can have a significant impact on the positions you are eligible to hold onboard.
If you require further information or just want a bit of clarity on the CoC that you hold, please don’t hesitate to send an email over or reach out to the MCA directly.
| Certificate | SV EOOW | Previous SV Second Engineer |
|---|---|---|
| Regulations | III/1 | III/1 and III/2 |
| Functions | 3. Control and care 4. Marine Engineering 5. Electrical 6. Maintenance and repair | |
| Level | Operational | Management |
| Capacities | OOW Engineering | Second Engineer OOW Engineering |
| Limitations | Less than 9,000 kW, less than 3000 GT, fishing vessels, yachts, tugs, workboats, standby, seismic survey, oceanographic research vessels and government patrol vessels | |
How to upgrade your CoC
The III/2 SV Second Engineer 9000kW 3000gt Endorsement is available to those already qualified as III/1 SV EOOW 9000kW 3000gt or III/1 EOOW Unlimited. In bold below are the requirements to gain the 2nd endorsement.
To apply, you would need to demonstrate (via discharge book and testimonials) 6 months of seagoing service on vessels of at least 350kW registered power since you qualified as an SV EOOW.
There is no oral exam, but the following documents are required:
- ENG1 or accepted equivalent
- Personal Survival Techniques (STCW Code A-VI/1-1)
- Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting (STCW Code A-VI/1-2)
- Proficiency In Survival Craft & Rescue Boat (STCW Code A-VI/2-1)*
- Advanced Fire Fighting (STCW Code A-VI/3)*
- HELM (Management Level)**
- High Voltage (Operational)**, optional
*These certificates must be issued under the authority of the MCA of any EU Member State. These certificates can be updated by any flag on our FSE list.
**These certificates must be MCA-approved.
You can apply via the MSF 4900 form. Please write ‘SV Second Engineer Endorsement’ on the front, as it is not currently listed as an option.
If someone held the endorsement prior to the change in 2023, and they are going for revalidation, they would be able to keep the endorsement.
Information on our seagoing service for small vessels can be found in MSN 1904, specifically section 5.9.1 and 5.9.2.
Information on our seagoing service for merchant vessels can be found in Section 4 of MSN 1857, Amendment 1.
I hope this information is of use to you!
If you want clarification, you can contact the MCA directly:
Engineering & Revalidation Team
UK Customer Maritime Services
Engineering@mcga.gov.uk
Revalidation@mcga.gov.uk
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