Small Vessel Chief Engineer - Statutory and Operational Requirements: Online delivery

About this course

This course is fully taught online through live lectures and is taught within UK time zones. Delegates will need a good internet connection and access to Microsoft Teams. If you wish to attend this course on campus, please see the campus delivery course page for booking information.

This course forms part of the chief engineer officer qualification for small vessels (less than 9000kW and less than 3,000GT) with an unlimited area limitation. 

This certification is for new and experienced crew who wish to move into the small vessel environment as engineers. A CoC gained through this route will be transferable between the following industries: 

• Fishing vessels 
• Superyachts 
• Tugs 
• Workboats 
• Standby 
• Seismic survey 
• Oceanographic research vessels 
• Government patrol vessels 

Further information about this pathway can be found in MIN 524. 

You’ll be taught by our expert team of dedicated maritime lecturers, many of whom are ex-seafarers with either commercial or superyacht experience up to Chief Engineer (Unlimited) status. 

What you'll study

This course covers international conventions (SOLAS / ISM / ISPS / STCW / MARPOL), International Labour Organisation, load line, Maritime & Coastguard Agency, classification societies, planned maintenance systems, voyage planning, emergencies, surveys and dry-docking. 

Pre-course preparation

This course is based on lecturer led learning and revision, followed by an exam on the afternoon of the final day. A full set of study notes is provided on application and six weeks’ preparatory study must be undertaken before starting the course. 

On application, you will receive a website link and an access code - this will give you access to our teaching packs. These include course notes, past questions and other teaching materials which can be downloaded as a pdf for easy reading on laptops and mobile devices. 

We strongly recommend you undertake at least six weeks' pre-study of our teaching packs before starting your course. Your week with us is essentially a revision week before the exam on the Friday. 

Registering for small vessel engineer training

Those who wish to gain a small vessel engineering CoC must be officially registered by an approved maritime training provider and be in possession of an LIA/TRB and registration letter, as per MIN 594/524 and associated MSNs 1857, 1859 and 1865, as applicable.

Find out more

Further information

See our small vessel engineer officer progression chart for more information about this pathway. 

Please see our Covid-19 statement and guidance for those attending maritime training and certification courses and exams at Solent University.