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When you read STCW / SOLAS / MARPOL / ISM rules keep in your mind for the purpose of regulations a commercial yacht is considered (equivalent to) a cargo ship ( of same size ).

Who needs STCW 95 Certification ?

To work on commercial yachts you need full STCW-95 documentation ( it's an insurance requirement ). On private yachts the required documentation depends on what kind of insurance the yacht owner has. STCW-95 requirements and training courses for yachts in Australia.

Canada and USA do not recognize licenses / certificates from other countries, other countries generally accept UK MCA approved certificates. Get International overview of yachting certificates required.

Different countries' CoC ( Certificate of Competence ) are not equal and all are not accepted Internationally. Get advice on your country's certificates' equivalency with UK certificates - Certificate of Equivalent Competency FAQ by MCA - UK.

The minimum certification requirement rules depends on country where the yacht is registered ("Flag State"), insurance companies can then impose more strict requirements. STCW doesn't apply as such on pleasure yachts less than 24 metres length at the waterline and not engaged in commercial trade.

Superyachts are those from 24 metres to about 50 metres long at the waterline (about 80 to 165 feet). Longer than that, they are usually called Mega Yachts.

When passenger accommodation exceeds 12 or where the tonnage is over 3.000 grt [ or engine power over 3.000 KW ] the International manning requirements ( STCW-95 ) come into force and only certified personnel are allowed to work onboard. Most Mega Yachts are in this class. See for more information: Shiptalk Newsletter: Luxury Yacht Industry, July 2007. Furthermore, commercially registered yachts of 500 grt and above come also under the ISPS-code.

To get the necessary STCW certification you can, for instance, enrol at a seamen's vocational school for their 6-9 months "Seafarer's Basic Course". Alternately you can choose some much shorter courses especially modified for super- and mega yachts, some of which are listed below.

When you choose the shorter yacht or superyacht STCW training course, check the training school / training centre is accredited by MCA ( Maritime and Coastal Agency, UK ). If it's not, you must later renew your course at a school that has that accreditation and you get extra expenses. The schools offering training for yachts are in most countries not controlled by that country's Maritime Authority. The schools for "merchant ship" training are, on the contrary, all under respective Maritime Authority supervision.

For more information on training requirements see ( PYA ) Professional Yachtmen's Association, News, Issue 14   (9 MB), page 8, and some clarification about sea times on page 27. Increase your employability by getting the relevant STCW certificate and keeping it valid and up-to-date.

The ( UK ) Merchant Shipping Notice ( MSN 1802 M    ) describes the system for deck officer certification for large commercial or private sailing and motor vessels and sail training vessels.

US Coast Guard is harmonizing their licensing requirements with STCW95 ( 2010 ). This will affect anyone seeking a new US license or upgrading an existing one, especially captains and engineers. GRT not same as GT.

I quote an e-mail received: "every piece of paper helps. there are so many people out there looking for jobs. even the experienced guys will not get a look in if they are requiring a specific ticket and don't have ticket. the ticket will get you on the job... it's all an insurance thing."

Training Centres and Courses

On Superyachts and Mega Yachts the rules about colour blindness for deck crew come into force with the application of STCW-95.

There are 4 courses / modules included in the STCW-95 "Seafarer's Basic Course", that are mandatory:

1. Personal Survival Techniques (STCW A-VI/1-1)
   
2. Fire Fighting and Fire Prevention (STCW A-VI/1-2)
   
3. Elementary First Aid (STCW A-VI/1-3)
   
4. Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (STCW A-VI/1-4)

Get training / certification requirements for commercial superyachts and mega yachts:
- Deck Officers ( sailing vessels ) Masters ( Captain, Skipper ) and Mates.
- Deck Officers ( motor vessels ) Masters ( Captain, Skipper ) and Mates.
- MCA Yacht Master certification requirements (2/2002) for privately and commercially operated superyachts up to 3.000 grt ( Gross Register Ton ).
- Engineers.

To work on a Superyacht or a Mega Yacht that comes under STCW-95 you need also a "seaman's" medical ( fitness ) certificate. In the Mediterranean you can get a MCA approved ENG1 certificate at Palma de Mallorca. The MCA approved medical certificate is called ENG1 because that's the name of the form, which is used when the client is fit for duty in his/her position onboard a vessel.

• International list of Superyacht Crew training facilities ( Australia, France, Germany, New Zealand, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, UK, USA ) and to Superyacht Chef Training in France, UK, Ireland, Italy, and South Africa.
  
  
• Superyacht training in Egypt ( in partnership with IYT ), approved by MCA. See about IYT certificate approvals.
  
  
• Superyacht maritime training in Dubai ( UAE ), IYT approved. English - Deutsch
  
  
• International Basic Superyacht Stewardess / Steward Training in Germany. Tuition in English, German ( Deutsch ) or Russian ( Pycckий ). Applicants are required to have their own travel insurance. All will be living onboard during training, insurance provided during the training. Also needed STCW certification and prior experience from International Hotel / Restaurant work. Two courses each month. Get application form with instructions how to apply.  
  
  
• Blue water yachting crewing agent with yacht crew training centres in Antibes, Palma de Mallorca, and Fort Lauderdale ( US ).
  
  
• Superyacht Hospitality Training for Stewards and Stewardesses in Sydney, Australia. From Basic Hospitality course for those without previous experience from Superyachts to Advanced Management course for those aspiring to Chief Steward / Stewardess on Superyachts or Mega Yachts.