What documents do you need to submit for your Notice of Eligibility and Certificate of Competency?

To apply for your Notice of Eligibility, if it is your first application for a Certificate of Competency, you need to submit the following original documents by post to the MCA: ⁃ Personal Survival Techniques ⁃ Fire prevention and fire fighting ⁃ Elementary first aid ⁃ Personal safety and social responsibility ⁃ Proficiency in survivalContinue reading “What documents do you need to submit for your Notice of Eligibility and Certificate of Competency?”

What will be in the SQA Navigation exam?

The UK MCA SQA syllabus has been updated and a new syllabus is in place from March 2025. We have analysed what is new and what has been removed to help you pass your UK MCA SQA Navigation Written exams. The upcoming SQA Navigation exam dates are: The link to the syllabus can be foundContinue reading “What will be in the SQA Navigation exam?”

What is the pathway to become a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy?

To become a Deck Officer, you need to complete a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) approved course. A cadetship for an Officer of the Watch Unlimited Certificate of Competency – this is essentially your license to drive ships! Starting a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) cadetship involves several steps: 1. Ensure you meetContinue reading “What is the pathway to become a Deck Officer in the Merchant Navy?”

What is STCW and how does it relate to your UK Maritime and Coastguard Certificate of Competency?

STCW stands for the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, which is an International Maritime Organization (IMO) convention. The STCW convention sets out the minimum qualification standards required of all Masters, Officers and watch ratings on seagoing merchant ships. There are three different levels of competency: ⁃ Management ⁃ OperationalContinue reading “What is STCW and how does it relate to your UK Maritime and Coastguard Certificate of Competency?”

Frequently Asked Questions about SafeSeas Training

Who are SafeSeas Training? SafeSeas Training was established in 2018, delivering training to all levels of the deck department from cadets, through to Masters. SafeSeas Training is run by Sarah Lovell, an experienced maritime trainer. Who is behind SafeSeas Training? Sarah Lovell established SafeSeas Training in 2018. Sarah has a passion for quality teaching andContinue reading “Frequently Asked Questions about SafeSeas Training”

What is the SafeSeas Assessment Generator?

To obtain a UK Certificate of Competency, candidates need to sit an assessment, often known as the “orals”. This consists of 2 parts – part A which is a computer based assessment and part B which is the orals. In part A of the assessment, there are 15 questions in the assessment, 9 of theseContinue reading “What is the SafeSeas Assessment Generator?”

New Facebook group launched!

We have launched our new Facebook group, the UK Deck Cadet Support page. The purpose of this group is to support UK Cadets embarking on their UK Deck Cadetship journey to support each other. It doesn’t matter if you’re thinking of joining the Merchant Navy and have questions on how to get a Cadetship, aboutContinue reading “New Facebook group launched!”

What are the SQA exams and how do they apply to my deck cadetship?

The Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) administer exams on behalf of the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). To qualify as a Deck Officer, candidates need to pass a Navigation paper, and a Stability and operations paper, which is administered by the SQA. SQA assessments Candidates undertaking the Foundation Degree (FD), Honours Degree (HD) or ScottishContinue reading “What are the SQA exams and how do they apply to my deck cadetship?”