Master (Yachts <3000 GT) Oral Exam Requirements

MASTER (YACHTS <3000 GT) • STCW REG II/2

Master 3000 Oral Exam – Eligibility Requirements (NoE Checklist)

This page sets out the sea service, training, written exam passes, and certificates you must have before you can apply for a Notice of Eligibility (NoE) and book the Master (Yachts <3000 GT) oral examination.

Start Here – Confirm Your Route

Master (Yachts <3000 GT) requirements vary depending on your route (standard yacht progression or conversion). Use the official guidance as your source of truth:

GOV.UK – Certification for Deck Officers on Commercial and Private Yachts (official route guidance)

1) Sea Service Requirements (Standard Yacht Progression)

To progress to Master (Yachts <3000 GT) via the standard yacht route, candidates must complete qualifying service as a deck officer, including watchkeeping, and ensure it is properly evidenced on testimonials and supporting documents.

• 24 months onboard yacht service as a Deck Officer
• Including at least 240 days of navigational watchkeeping
• Service on vessels 15 metres or more load line length, including:
  • 12 months on vessels of 24 metres or more; or
  • 6 months on vessels of 500 GT or more

Tip: testimonials should state vessel details, dates, role onboard, and watchkeeping performed. Unclear testimonials are a common reason NoE applications are delayed.

2) Route-Dependent Prerequisites (What You May Need to Submit)

The MCA route you follow determines which prerequisites you must hold and/or submit with your NoE application. In practice:

• If progressing from OOW (Yachts <3000), candidates are commonly required to hold STCW advanced safety certification and Yachtmaster Ocean certification (commercially endorsed), as referenced in the MCA NoE application guidance.
• If you already hold Chief Mate (Yachts <3000) or an equivalent higher yacht CoC, the MCA may not require you to re-submit certain certificates already accepted for your existing CoC, unless requirements have changed since issue. Always check your route and NoE guidance.

Reference (NoE application guidance):

MSF 4343 Rev 12/23 (Deck Yacht) – NoE / oral application form (PDF)

3) STCW Safety & Medical Certificates (Typical Requirements)

Candidates must hold the applicable technical and safety course certificates (as set out in the MCA route tables). For many Master 3000 candidates this includes, as applicable:

• Advanced Fire Fighting
• Medical First Aid Aboard Ship
• Proficiency in Medical Care Aboard Ship (Medical Care)
• Valid ENG1 (medical fitness certificate) or accepted equivalent

(For the broader yacht deck certification framework see:)

GOV.UK – MSN 1858 (M+F) Amendment 1 (yacht deck certification framework)

4) Yachtmaster Ocean (Required for Yacht Routes)

For yacht certification routes, the MCA NoE guidance commonly requires:

• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Practical (commercially endorsed)
• RYA Yachtmaster Ocean Shorebased (where applicable)

Important: Yachtmaster Ocean is NOT the same as the MCA Celestial Navigation exam pass. The MCA Celestial Navigation pass is a separate professional exam certificate (see Section 6).

5) Master (Yachts) Training Modules + Written Exam Passes (IAMI)

To be eligible for the Master (Yachts <3000 GT) oral exam, candidates must complete the MCA-approved Master Yacht training modules and pass the corresponding IAMI written exams. These commonly include:

• Master Seamanship and Meteorology – course completion + pass certificate
• Master Stability – course completion + pass certificate
• Master Business and Law – course completion + pass certificate
• Master Navigation, Radar and ARPA Simulator – course completion + pass certificate

Official route guidance and module requirements:

GOV.UK – Yacht deck certification routes (modules & exam requirements)

6) Additional Mandatory Certificates (Commonly Required)

• HELM (Management level) – Human Element, Leadership and Management (Management)
• MCA Celestial Navigation exam pass certificate (IAMI) – this is a professional exam pass and is different from Yachtmaster Ocean
• ECDIS – Electronic Chart Display & Information System (mandatory for yacht deck routes)

ECDIS requirement reference:

MSN 1858 Amendment 1 (PDF) – Yacht Certification (includes ECDIS requirement)

7) Apply for Your Notice of Eligibility (NoE)

Once your sea service, training modules, written exams, and mandatory certificates are complete (and valid), you must apply for your Notice of Eligibility (NoE). The NoE confirms you are eligible to book the oral examination.

MSF 4343 – Application for Notice of Eligibility (Deck) (GOV.UK publication page)

We recommend working directly from the current MSF 4343 guidance (Rev 12/23) to ensure you provide the correct evidence and avoid delays:

MSF 4343 Rev 12/23 (PDF)

Note: the MCA’s online oral examination process is covered here:

MIN 690 – MCA Online Oral Examinations