Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)

About this course

A theoretical and practical course that enables an understanding of shipboard organisation and operations, pilot ladders and means of access, cargo work, safety and seamanship, including knots, splicing and whipping and seizing.

What you'll learn

Shipboard organisation and operations 
Shipboard organisation, parts of a vessel, deck equipment, lookout reporting, helm orders, anchoring and mooring arrangements. 

Pilot ladders and means of access 
Rigging a pilot ladder, means of access, and boarding arrangements. 

Cargo work 
Hatch covers, derricks and cranes, blocks and tackles, containers, and securing arrangements. 

Safety 
COSWOP, IMO safety signs, enclosed spaces, fire extinguishers, and lifeboat and liferaft launching. 

Seamanship 
Rope types and construction, knots, bends and hitches, rigging a bosun’s chair and stage, rope and wire splicing, whipping and seizing, parcelling, and serving. 

At the end of your training you should have the knowledge to: 

• Perform in a safe working environment on board ship 
• Perform a range of seamanship tasks effectively 
• And have a working knowledge of COWSP 

Prerequisites

The requirements for entry onto the Efficient Deck Hand course are specified in MSN 1862 (Amendment 1) and MIN 643 as follows:

• You must be 17 years of age to qualify and hold a valid medical fitness certificate.
• The following certification and experience will permit entry on to the EDH course and examination:
• An MCA accepted Yachtmaster Offshore, or
• A Yacht Rating Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) with at least 6 months’ onboard yacht service and a steering certificate, or
• A Navigational Watch Rating Certificate of Proficiency, or
• A Boat Master Licence (BML) Tier 1 level 2 certificate, or
• A Tug Rating CoP with at least 6 months’ seagoing service and a steering certificate or an NWR CoP, or
• A UK Class 1 or 2 Fishing Certificate of Competency (Deck or Engineering) and a Seafish Fishing Under 16.5m Skippers Certificate (with evidence of at least 6 months' seagoing service), or
• Enrolment onto the following Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1) courses:
• An MCA-approved cadet training programme,
• An MCA-approved overseas collaborative programme (1+1).
• Note: before an EDH CoP can be issued, a minimum of 6 months’ seagoing service on vessels of 15m or more is required. Seagoing service in category C and D waters will be accepted at full rate. Any candidate who cannot supply acceptable evidence of such sea time will have their certificate withheld until such evidence has been provided.