Master 200 Requirements
Master 200 MCA Requirements
Routes, sea service and mandatory certificates
This page sets out the official MCA requirements for the
Master (Code Vessels less than 200 GT) certificate.
Each requirement below is taken directly from, and verifiable against,
MCA Notices and GOV.UK guidance.
Important: “Master 200” is not a single generic qualification.
The MCA publishes different routes with different eligibility criteria.
You must meet one complete route in full before applying for the MCA oral examination.
Route A – Conversion from UK OOW Unlimited (II/1)
This route applies to holders of a UK Officer of the Watch Unlimited (STCW II/1)
seeking a Master (Code Vessels less than 200 GT) certificate.
Official source:
Certification for deck officers on commercial and private yachts – GOV.UK
Requirements for this route:
- Hold a valid UK OOW Unlimited (II/1)
- Hold a valid ENG1 medical certificate
- Hold the MCA ancillary safety and technical certificates listed in Table A on GOV.UK
- Complete 3 months’ seagoing service on vessels:
- between 15 and 24 metres length, or
- less than 200 GT
- Sea service must be commercial and properly evidenced
- Pass the MCA Master (Code Vessels <200 GT) oral examination
Route B – Yachtmaster Offshore / IYT Limited (150 miles from safe haven)
This route is defined in Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) 1858 (M)
and applies to candidates progressing from Yachtmaster Offshore
or IYT Master of Yachts Limited.
Official source:
MSN 1858 (M) – Certification of deck officers on large yachts
Requirements for this route:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold RYA Yachtmaster Offshore or IYT Master of Yachts Limited
- Hold a valid ENG1 medical certificate
- Complete 6 months’ seagoing service:
- gained while holding the Yachtmaster certificate, and
- on commercial yachts accepted by the MCA
- Hold the ancillary safety certificates specified in MSN 1858
- Pass the MCA Master (Code Vessels <200 GT) oral examination
Route C – Yachtmaster Ocean / IYT Unlimited (Unlimited area)
This route is also defined in MSN 1858 (M) and leads to a
Master 200 certificate with no distance limitation.
Official source:
MSN 1858 (M) – Certification of deck officers on large yachts
Requirements for this route:
- Be at least 18 years of age
- Hold RYA Yachtmaster Ocean or IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited
- Hold a valid ENG1 medical certificate
- Complete 6 months’ seagoing service:
- gained after holding Yachtmaster Ocean / IYT Unlimited, and
- on commercial yachts
- Hold the ancillary safety and technical certificates specified in MSN 1858
- Pass the MCA Master (Code Vessels <200 GT) oral examination
What the MCA means by “sea service”
For Master 200 applications, sea service means qualifying
commercial service at sea that meets the requirements of the route applied for.
- Service must be on vessels of the appropriate type and size
- Service must be gained in an appropriate capacity
- Service must total the required number of months
- Service must be properly recorded and evidenced
The MCA requires sea service to be evidenced using official sea service testimonials or
company letters signed by the vessel owner or operator.
Official guidance is published here:
Sea service testimonials – GOV.UK
Applying for the MCA oral examination
Once you meet the requirements of one complete route,
you may apply for the Master 200 MCA oral examination.
The MCA application and oral exam process, including booking, Notices of Eligibility (NOEs)
and re-sit policy, is published in:
MIN 690 – Guidance on MCA Oral Examinations
Further Master 200 guidance and preparation
