Quick Checklist: Applying for your M500/3000 NOE/Booking Form
By: Fred Wilson (but mainly Emma Wilson)
You are now ready to send off for your NOE - YAY!
This is a quick checklist to make sure you have not forgotten anything - You don’t want any delays!
FIRSTLY LETS START AT THE BEGINNING…..
Don’t be lazy, READ MSN 1858, Amendment 1 - Training & Certification Guidance: Uk Requirements for Deck Officers on Large Yachts (24m and over) to get an overview.
THEN…..
❶ PRINT, READ, FILL OUT AND SCAN FORM MSF 4343 - Application for an oral examination
Please read this thoroughly before filling out the form, including the guidance notes.
Here is an OOW example - please don’t copy my bad sense of ginger humour 👨🏻🦰though.
Common mistakes are:
Not writing in BLOCK LETTERS
Your signature not fitting within the signature box
❷ YOU HOLD AN MCA OOW YACHTS, LESS THAN 3000GT, II/1, CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCY
❸ HAVE THE APPROPRIATE SEA TIME
M500 - While serving as an OOW Yachts, less than 3000 GT, II/1, have completed a minimum of 12 months’ onboard yacht service as a deck officer, including at least 120 days watchkeeping service, on vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length;
M3000 - While serving as a OOW yachts, less than 3000 GT, II/1, have completed a minimum of 24 months’ onboard yacht service as a Deck Officer, including at least 240 days watchkeeping service. All of this service must be completed on vessels of 15 metres or over in load line length and include; 12 months on vessels of 24 metres or over in load line length, or 6 months on vessels of 500 GT or more;
(For more detailed information, see “Sea Service & Days at Sea”)
❹ CERTIFICATES
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean certificate or IYT Master of Yachts Unlimited.
STCW - Personal Survival Techniques, Fire prevention and fire fighting, Elementary first aid, Personal safety and social responsibility.
Proficiency in Survival Craft and rescue boats.
Advanced Fire Fighting.
Medical First Aid.
Medical Care.
ECDIS.
GMDSS.
Helm Management.
❺ SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF WRITTEN EXAMS
Seamanship and Meteorology.
Stability.
Business and Law.
Navigation, Radar and ARPA simulator.
Celestial Navigation.
❻ ENG1 (or equivalent)
Must be valid when applying for your COC.
You can still sit your exam if it’s expired.
❼ COPY OF PASSPORT
Attested copy - Captain can do it with a ship’s stamp.
❽ PYA OR NAUTILUS SERVICE RECORD BOOK
❾ TWO PASSPORT PHOTOGRAPHS
UK-approved passport photos with “I confirm that this is a true current likeness of (your name)” and their usual signature and date.
Remember to get them to fill out the counter signature section within MSF 4343 form.
❿ PAYMENT
You must ensure you pay the appropriate fee online.
https://products.payments.service.gov.uk/pay/881210580ed146b2922c852ffccacf91
⓫ LASTLY, SEND YOUR APPLICATION TO THE MCA
Send application via email
Please email your application and scanned documents to deck@mcga.gov.uk – please note you may be selected for random screening, which will require you to post original documents to us (as per with MIN 655) - MCA
Be aware of the new Style Certificates for UK Seafarers and those working on UK ships new Min 655 (it’s now expired, but they still refer to it)
DO I NEED TO SEND EVERYTHING IN FOR MY NOE TO BE ISSUED?
M500
Interestingly the NOE for a Master 500gt can be issued prior to completing all the courses.
“As training module pass certificates are valid for three years, candidates are advised to obtain the MCA Master yachts, less than 500 GT, II/2, Certificate of Competency where circumstances may preclude them from attempting the Master (yachts less than 3000 GT) oral examination before the modules expire. If you do not hold a Master yachts, less than 500 GT, II/2, Certificate of Competency, with the exception of ‘Celestial Navigation’, all IAMI written examinations must be passed prior to the issue of your Notice of Eligibility (NOE).”
Essentially, if you have enough sea time, a seafarer can apply for their Master 500GT NOE, sit the oral exam, and then do the written examinations afterwards. You will not be issued your COC until you have done these though, and all requirements are met.
Once a seafarer has the Master 500GT, this ‘locks in’ the written exams so they no longer expire for the Master 3000GT.
M3000
You need to do everything except celestial, but I would recommend doing this close to your exam.
