Ratings

Ratings may be of any nationality provided that they have completed the STCW95 basic training in the four key elements:

• Personal Survival
• Basic First Aid
• Basic Fire Fighting
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities

Each rating must have documentary evidence of this training which can be issued by any country that is a signatory to the Convention.

Watch Ratings

Every rating forming part of a watch must hold a valid Deck or Engine Room Watch Rating Certificate as applicable. Certificates issued by the ratings home country, provided that it is a signatory to the Convention, are acceptable.

In the case of ratings who do not have certificates but who can demonstrate the required competence in line with the Convention, it is possible for the vessel’s Master or Chief Engineer to make the assessment of competence and issue a Provisional Isle of Man Watch Rating Certificate. A provisional certificate is valid for three months.

Click the links for forms C16 for Navigation and C17 for Engine Room Watch Ratings .

Once a provisional certificate has been issued a copy of it should be sent to the Isle of Man Ship Registry via the vessel’s Representative Person along with the following supporting documentation:-

• Clear copies of the certification relating to the STCW four elements of basic training
• Proof of the rating's sea service. (Copy of Discharge Book pages)
• Proof of the rating’s identity and age. (Passport or Seaman’s card)
• Clear signature
• Full payment

If the applicant is deemed suitable the Ship Registry will issue a full term Watch Rating Certificate for service on Isle of Man registered vessels.

Contact

For advice and assistance please contact seafarerdocumentation@gov.im

Forms

All forms can be – download here and then by selecting the type of vessel which you are employed on.

Minimum Safe Manning

To ensure that all Isle of Man registered vessels are sufficiently, efficiently and safely manned with properly trained and certified personnel a Minimum Safe Manning Document issued under the provisions of Chapter V/14.2 (Safety of Navigation) of SOLAS 1974 as amended, must be carried by all vessels to which Chapter I of SOLAS applies.

• Merchant Vessels over 500GT
• Commercial Yachts over 500GT

SOLAS Chapter I, does not apply to Pleasure Yachts and as such these vessels do not require a minimum safe manning document. Please see MSN 033

Applications

Applications for a Minimum Safe Manning Document should be made using the relevant form and sent to the Ship Registry.

Contact

For advice and assistance please contact marine.survey@gov.im

Forms

An application form is available here