Key takeaways
- ✓Under MCA MIN 543, all large-yacht crew must have sea service verified by PYA or Nautilus before sending it to the MCA — otherwise expect delays of around 160 days.
- ✓Evidence is either a signed and stamped Sea Service Testimonial (SST) per yacht, or entries in an approved Service Record Book (SRB).
- ✓A properly completed approved SRB counts as prima facie evidence, so separate testimonials are not needed.
- ✓Verification is free for full PYA and Nautilus members; PYA also verifies for non-members for a fee per testimonial.
- ✓Testimonials can be signed by the master, owner, employer or management company.
Testimonial or Service Record Book?
| Sea Service Testimonial (SST) | Service Record Book (SRB) | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | One form per yacht and period, from the MCA notices (MSN 1858 / 1859) | A book from PYA or Nautilus with an entry per yacht |
| Signed by | Master, owner, employer or management company | Master, with the yacht stamp |
| Verification | Sent to PYA or Nautilus to verify | Entries verified by PYA or Nautilus |
| Best for | Occasional or one-off service | Career crew who change yachts often |
What counts as sea service
- •Actual sea service: time at sea on a passage, including short waits at anchor during the passage
- •Stand-by service: time after a voyage while preparing for the next — max 14 days at a time and never more than the previous voyage
- •Yard service: time standing by a build, refit or repair, counted with limits
- •Watchkeeping service: at least 4 hours in every 24 in charge of a watch on a voyage (needed for officer CoCs)
- •Service in a dual deck/engine role is usually counted at a reduced rate — check the notice for your CoC
Step by step
- •Before you leave a yacht, ask the captain to sign and stamp the testimonial or SRB entry with exact dates and the yacht details (name, IMO/official number, GT, length, flag).
- •Record actual sea days, stand-by and yard days separately — your own logbook makes this easy.
- •Send the paperwork to PYA or Nautilus for verification (online forms are available for members).
- •Keep copies of everything, including a scan of the signed and verified documents.
- •Apply to the MCA for your Notice of Eligibility (NoE) with two forms of evidence per yacht, usually the verified testimonial plus a discharge record.
Delivery passages count too. Ask the skipper for a testimonial at the end of every delivery — short trips add up quickly.
Common mistakes that delay your NoE
- •Testimonials signed months or years later by someone who did not know you on board
- •Missing yacht details (GT, load line length, official number) or wrong dates
- •Mixing up actual sea days and stand-by or yard time
- •Sending unverified large-yacht service directly to the MCA
- •Losing original documents — always keep scans
Frequently asked questions
Who verifies yacht sea service for the MCA?+
The Professional Yachting Association (PYA) and Nautilus International. MCA MIN 543 requires large-yacht crew to have sea service verified by one of them before applying.
Does sea service verification cost money?+
It is free for full PYA and Nautilus members. PYA also verifies testimonials for non-members for a fee per testimonial.
Do I need a testimonial if I have a Service Record Book?+
No. Properly signed and stamped entries in an approved Service Record Book count as prima facie evidence of sea service.
Does delivery work count as sea service?+
Yes. Passages on deliveries count as actual sea service when they are documented with signed testimonials and exact dates.
Sources
- GOV.UK — MIN 543 (M): Sea service verification on large yachts
- GOV.UK — MSN 1858: UK requirements for deck officers on large yachts
- Nautilus Federation — Sea service sorted: the Nautilus yacht Service Record Book
- Nautilus Federation — New sea service verification guide
- SuperyachtNews — MIN formalises new arrangements for sea service verification
- PYA — Professional Yachting Association
- Sea-time logbook guide (Maritime Delivery guide)
- MCA Master 200GT, 500GT and 3000GT (Maritime Delivery guide)
Put it to work