OOW Unlimited Requirements
Sea Service • Courses & Certificates • Exams • Medical
What you need to qualify for a UK Officer of the Watch (Unlimited) Certificate of Competency (STCW Regulation II/1) — stated clearly in one place.

Quick Checklist (what most candidates need)
  • Sea service: either an approved 12-month cadet/college route (including 6 months bridge watchkeeping), or 36 months sea service via the experienced seafarer route (including 6 months bridge watchkeeping).
  • Ancillary & safety courses: the II/1 certificate set (listed below).
  • Approved education & training: completion of an MCA-approved programme meeting STCW A-II/1 and recorded in an approved TRB (where applicable).
  • Signals certificate: issued in the previous 3 years.
  • MCA OOW Safety exams: Navigation + Stability & Operations (unless exempted by an approved degree route).
  • Medical: valid ENG1 (or accepted equivalent).
  • MCA oral exam: pass the OOW oral.

1) Sea Service (Sea Time)
To qualify for an OOW Unlimited (II/1) CoC, MCA requirements include one of the following sea service routes:
  • Approved cadet / UK approved programme route: at least 12 months approved sea service as part of an MCA (or MCA UK) approved cadet training programme, documented in an approved Training Record Book (TRB), including 6 months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties.
  • MCA-approved overseas collaborative programme route: the approved sea service stated on your college letter (programme-specific), documented in an approved TRB, including 6 months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties.
  • Experienced seafarer route: 36 months seagoing service, including 6 months engaged in bridge watchkeeping duties.
Note: for OOW II/1 applications, MCA guidance also describes the bridge watchkeeping statement/testimonial expectations. See the official route wording in MSN 1856 (M+F) Amendment 1.

2) Mandatory Courses & Certificates (Ancillary + Safety) for II/1
The MCA lists the ancillary and safety course certificates required for each CoC in the section 10 table. For OOW Unlimited (II/1), the required certificate set includes:
  • Personal Survival Techniques (PST)
  • Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF)
  • Elementary First Aid (EFA)
  • Personal Safety and Social Responsibility (PSSR)
  • Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB)
  • Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF)
  • Medical First Aid
  • NAEST (Operational) (and where ECDIS isn’t already covered, an MCA-approved ECDIS course may be required)
  • Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
  • GMDSS (GOC)
These items are taken directly from the MCA’s ancillary/safety course table for CoCs. Always ensure certificates are in-date/meet updating rules where applicable.

3) Exams, Signals Certificate, and Medical
  • Signals certificate: must be issued in the previous 3 years.
  • MCA OOW Safety Examinations: Navigation and Stability and Operations (unless exempt under an approved degree route).
  • Medical fitness: valid ENG1 (or accepted equivalent).
  • MCA Oral Exam: pass the OOW oral examination.

4) NOE and the Part A / Part B Exam Structure
For OOW Unlimited (II/1), the MCA exam route is structured as Part A (online proctored exam) and Part B (the oral examination).
Part A must be successfully completed before you can book Part B for all candidates whose NOE is issued from the MCA’s stated dates.
Key points (MCA):
  • Part A first: you cannot book the Part B oral until Part A is passed (where the Part A route applies).
  • Validity: the MCA states Part A passes are valid for 12 months (you must complete Part B within that period).
  • NOE timing matters: the MCA defines the NOE issue dates from which Part A is mandatory for OOW Unlimited candidates.
Already Eligible? Move on to Preparation
If you meet the OOW Unlimited requirements and have (or are applying for) your NOE, the next step is focused oral exam preparation.
The hub brings together examiner guidance, revision tools, and supporting material in one place.