Additional voluntary certification

In addition to the mandatory courses, the following voluntary courses are available:

  • Bridge Watchkeeping 2 day course (intended for skippers of vessels less than 16.5m operating within 20 miles of a safe haven);
  • Bridge Watchkeeping 5 day course (intended for anyone taking a navigational watch and skippers of vessels less than 16.5m operating beyond 20 miles of a safe haven);
  • Diesel Engine 1 day course (intended for skippers of vessels less than 16.5m operating within 20 miles of a safe haven);
  • Engine Room Watchkeeping 2 day course (intended for skippers of vessels less than 16.5m operating beyond 20 miles of a safe haven);
  • Engine Room Watchkeeping 5 day course (intended for anyone taking an engine room watch);
  • Stability Awareness for Experienced Fishermen 1 day course (intended for experienced fishermen on any size of vessel - precursor to attending the Advanced Stability Awareness course unless you have completed the Intermediate Stability Awareness course)
  • Advanced  Stability Awareness 1 day course (intended for skippers of vessels less than 16.5m and anyone taking a navigational watch on any vessel).


Fishermen who complete the following will receive a Skippers Certificate for Under 16.5m Vessels up to 20 miles:

  • 1 day GMDSS Short Range Certificate course;
  • 1 day Basic Health and Safety course;
  • 1 day Basic Sea Survival course;
  • 1 day Basic Fire Fighting and Prevention course;
  • 1 day Basic First Aid course;
  • 1 day Safety Awareness course;
  • 2 day Seafish Bridge Watchkeeping course (12 months service in the fishing industry is required before this course can be taken. A testimonial must be provided as evidence);
  • 2 day Engineering Course; and
  • 1 day Stability Awareness for Experienced Fishermen course (intended for experienced fishermen on any size of vessel - precursor to attending the Advanced Stability Awareness course unless you have completed the Intermediate Stability Awareness course)
  • 1 day Advanced  Stability Awareness  course.

As an alternative to the 2 day Seafish Bridge Watchkeeping course, a Boatmaster’s Licence or 5 day RYA /DfT Yachtmaster Coastal Course Certificate is also accepted.


Fishermen who complete the following will receive a Skippers Certificate for Under 16.5m Vessels beyond 20 miles:

  • 1 day GMDSS Short Range Certificate course;
  • 1 day Basic Health and Safety course;
  • 1 day Basic Sea Survival course;
  • 1 day Basic Fire Fighting and Prevention course;
  • 1 day Basic First Aid course;
  • 1 day Safety Awareness course;
  • 5 day Seafish Bridge Watchkeeping course (18 months service in the fishing industry is required before this course can be taken. A testimonial must be provided as evidence);
  • 5 day Engineering Course (MCA 30 Hour Advanced Engine Course); and
  • 1 day Stability Awareness for Experienced Fishermen course (intended for experienced fishermen on any size of vessel - precursor to attending the Advanced Stability Awareness course unless you have completed the Intermediate Stability Awareness course)
  • 1 day Advanced  Stability Awareness  course.

As an alternative to the 5 day Seafish Bridge Watchkeeping course, a RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate of Competency is also accepted.

All fishermen should ensure that they receive and retain a Seafish certificate from each course they complete and apply for a ‘credit card certificate’. This provides evidence that they have completed the course. MCA surveyors and inspectors will ask to see these certificates for all crew members when conducting surveys and inspections.

Click the link and refer to MGN 411 for further information on these requirements.