{"id":426,"date":"2023-02-17T05:06:18","date_gmt":"2023-02-17T05:06:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/?page_id=426"},"modified":"2023-09-12T10:11:04","modified_gmt":"2023-09-12T10:11:04","slug":"boatmasters-licence","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/boating\/boatmasters-licence\/","title":{"rendered":"Boatmasters Licence Application | MCA Boatmaster Renewal"},"content":{"rendered":"<p> <strong>MCA Boatmaster UK<\/strong>A boat master must have a valid licence to run certain types of vessels.<\/p>\n<p>The boatmasters&#8217; licence gives authorisation to operate a passenger-carrying or non-passenger carrying commercial vessel.<\/p>\n<p>The boat master will need a boatmasters&#8217; licence for most types of sailing vessels that run on:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Inland waters in categories A to D (see inland waters categories below).<\/li>\n<li>&#8216;Limited&#8217; coastal area operations.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>The term &#8216;limited&#8217; means no more than five (5) miles from land and fifteen (15) miles from where the vessel sets off or arrives.<\/p>\n<p>But, authorisation is not required for all sailing crafts and vessels. You can operate a pleasure vessel or a fishing vessel without a boatmaster licence. That also includes hire boats which get used as pleasure vessels.<\/p>\n<h5>In case you were wondering:<\/h5>\n<p>The MMCA produces further guidance on which <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/inland-waterways-types-of-vessels\">types of vessels<\/a> that can operate on inland waters in the United Kingdom. It also has references to EU requirements and regulations.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: Boatmaster definition refers to the person who is in command of an <a href=\"\/rules\/boating\/\">inland waterways vessel<\/a>. Failing to have the correct boatmaster licence can result in a fine and a prosecution.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4>Boatmasters Licence &#8216;Alternative Certificate&#8217;<\/h4>\n<p>Certain certificates can get used as an alternative to a boatmasters&#8217; licence. Seafarers can use STCW certificate of competency (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping).<\/p>\n<p>Certificates awarded by the Royal Yachting Association also qualify. Even so, using an alternative certificate means you must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Check to see if you need a paper endorsement or a boat handling test. These details are in sections 3 and 4 of the boatmasters&#8217; qualifications and hours of work notice (see below).<\/li>\n<li>Download &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/msf-4398-application-for-a-boatmasters-licence\">Form MSF 4398 &#8211; Application for a Boatmasters&#8217; Licence<\/a>&#8216;. Fill in the form and then send it to your nearest marine office.<\/li>\n<li>Pay the correct and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/maritime-coastguard-agency-mca-fees\">current boatmaster licence fees<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Application for Boatmasters Licence<\/h2>\n<p>You can get further details from the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/msn-1853-m-boatmasters-qualifications-crew-and-hours-of-work\">boatmasters&#8217; qualifications and hours of work notice<\/a> before you apply, such as:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Which vessel types require a boatmasters licence and what kind of license you need.<\/li>\n<li>What documents you need to apply for a boatmaster licence and what you need to revalidate one.<\/li>\n<li>Alternative qualifications you can use instead and information on local knowledge requirements. This may include localised <a href=\"\/rules\/boating\/river-conditions\/\">river conditions and flood warnings<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Before applying for a boatmasters certificate you should also:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/boatmasters-licence-work-record-book-msf-4366\">records of relevant work (MSF 4366)<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/new-boatmasters-licence-task-record-book-msf-4367\">training (MSF 4367)<\/a> for the licence application.<\/li>\n<li>Be familiar with local regulations (e.g. byelaws you may need to be aware of).<\/li>\n<li>Ensure you have safety training from one of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/guidance\/boatmasters-approved-training-providers-atp\">BML approved training providers (ATP)<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<h5>A new entrant will need to<\/h5>\n<ol>\n<li>Read the boatmasters&#8217; qualifications and hours of work notice (see above).<\/li>\n<li>Download the &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/application-for-a-boatmasters-licence-new-entrants-msf-4364\">Application for a BML licence &#8211; new entrants (MSF 4364)<\/a>&#8216;.<\/li>\n<li>Check the &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/maritime-coastguard-agency-mca-fees\">Boatmasters&#8217; table of fees<\/a>&#8216; and pay the correct amount.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Replace or Renew a Boatmasters Licence<\/h2>\n<p>The current cost of a replacement licence is \u00a323. You will need to use the form &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/application-for-a-replcement-of-a-bml-licence-msf-4390\">Application for a replacement of a Boatmasters&#8217; Licence (MSF 4390)<\/a>&#8216;.<\/p>\n<p>As a rule, a boatmasters&#8217; licence lasts five (5) years and costs \u00a331 to renew it. Use the form titled &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/revalidation-of-a-boastmasters-licence-msf-4365\">Revalidation of a boatmasters&#8217; licence (MSF 4365)<\/a>&#8216;. Return it to the address written on the form.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: You can view further details about <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/maritime-coastguard-agency-mca-fees\">current Maritime and Coastguard Agency fees<\/a> for a range of maritime services on the GOV.UK website.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Boatmasters Licence Cost to Upgrade<\/h2>\n<p>The fee for upgrading a licence varies. Use form MSF 4370 &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/apply-for-a-bml-upgrade-msf-4370\">Apply for a Boatmasters&#8217; Licence upgrade<\/a>&#8216; to upgrade it or add another area to it.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h2>Exemptions: 2006 Boatmasters&#8217; Regulations<\/h2>\n<p>You must apply for a &#8216;Tier 2 Level 2&#8217; licence to keep working if your exemption is about to expire. It covers all areas described on the exemption certificate. To continue working with an exemption certificate you must:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Confirm you can apply for a Tier 2 boatmasters\u2019 licence. Read section 22 of the boatmasters&#8217; qualifications and hours of work notice.<\/li>\n<li>Download and complete the application (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/publications\/msf-4399-application-for-a-boatmasters-licence\">Form MSF 4399<\/a>). Send it to your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gov.uk\/government\/organisations\/maritime-and-coastguard-agency\/about\/access-and-opening#marine-and-fishing-survey-offices\">nearest marine office<\/a> and pay the current fee.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Note<\/strong>: Failing to have the correct boatmaster licence when your exemption expires can result in a fine and a prosecution.<\/p>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<h4>Inland Waterways Categories<\/h4>\n<p>The category of &#8216;inland waters&#8217; can include any body of water not categorised as &#8216;sea&#8217;. Examples include canals, lakes, tidal and non-tidal rivers, and some estuarial waters. An estuary is an arm of sea that extends inland to meet the mouth of a river.<\/p>\n<p>The 4 different categories of inland waters get classified as one of the following:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Category A: Narrow rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally less than 1.5 metres.<\/li>\n<li>Category B: Wider rivers and canals where the depth of water is generally 1.5 metres or more. Significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 0.6 metres at any time.<\/li>\n<li>Category C: Tidal rivers, estuaries and large, deep lakes and lochs. Significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 1.2 metres at any time.<\/li>\n<li>Category D: Tidal rivers and estuaries. Significant wave height could not be expected to exceed 2 metres at any time.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"content-inner-block\">\n<h4>Related Help Guides<\/h4>\n<p><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"\/rules\/boating\/permission-to-work-on-river-or-flood-defence\/\">How to get a flood risk activity permit?<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/rules\/boating\/\">River boating rules in England<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"\/rules\/boating\/boat-ownership\/\">Do you need boat insurance in the United Kingdom?<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul><\/div>\n<p><\/p>\n<hr>\n<p><\/p>\n<div class=\"updated-data\">\n    <strong>MCA Boatmaster Licence Application and Renewal for United Kingdom<\/strong><br \/>\n    <time datetime=\"2022-01-01\">Last Updated 2022<\/time>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>MCA Boatmaster UKA boat master must have a valid licence to run certain types of vessels. The boatmasters&#8217; licence gives authorisation to operate a passenger-carrying or non-passenger carrying commercial vessel. The boat master will need a boatmasters&#8217; licence for most types of sailing vessels that run on: Inland waters in categories A to D (see&hellip; <a class=\"more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/boating\/boatmasters-licence\/\">Continue reading <span class=\"screen-reader-text\">Boatmasters Licence Application | MCA Boatmaster Renewal<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"parent":501,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v22.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Boatmasters Licence Application | MCA Boatmaster Renewal - UK Rules<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.theukrules.co.uk\/rules\/boating\/boatmasters-licence\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Boatmasters Licence Application | MCA Boatmaster Renewal - UK Rules\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"MCA Boatmaster UKA boat master must have a valid licence to run certain types of vessels. 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