Manning & Crew Requirements

Minimum Safe Manning Certificates (MSMCs)

To ensure that RMI yachts are adequately and safely manned in accordance with international regulations, all commercially registered yachts, private yachts limited charter (PYLCs), Yachts Engaged in Trade (YETs), and passenger yachts (PAXYs) are required to have an MSMC on board. For commercial yachts, YETs, and PAXYs, these manning requirements apply whenever the yacht proceeds to sea; for PYLCs, the manning requirements apply when the yacht proceeds to sea with charter guests on board. The completed MI-336Y, Application for MSMC – Yacht may be submitted to any IRI office.

The MI-336Y is required when:

• a commercial yacht, PYLC, YET, or PAXY is newly registered with the RMI;
• there is a name change (for a commercial yacht, PYLC, YET, or PAXY); or
• there is any change in status (for example, private status to PYLC).

RMI manning scales are available in the RMI Yacht Code or in MN 7-038-2, Minimum Safe Manning Requirements for Vessels. Please note that these scales are the minimum requirements for motor yachts and alternative certification may be considered acceptable on a case-by-case basis. There may be additional personnel and/or training requirements based on the yacht type, propulsion power, etc.

Master and Officer Licensing and Certification

All Masters and officers listed on the MSMC are required to possess an appropriate, valid Certificate of Competence (CoC) and RMI endorsement.

To apply for an RMI endorsement the following must be provided:

1.    Completed MI-105, Application for Endorsement of Officer Certificate of Competence
2.    Valid national CoC (from a recognized administration)
3.    National identity document (passport preferred)
4.    Recent physical (within the last two years)
5.    Passport sized photo
6.    Letter of commitment from the yacht owner or manager

Issuance of RMI Officer Certificates is based on two methods: (1) by equivalency endorsement (MI-105) or (2) by professional examination (MI-105E, Application for Original Officer Certificate of Competence by Examination). Equivalent Endorsement Certificates may be issued to certificate holders from major maritime nations whose educational system and examinations are found acceptable. For details, see Annex 12 in MI-118, Requirements for Seafarer Certification.

Examinations

Applicants who do not hold acceptable national certificates or who desire original RMI certificates must pass written examinations given by the RMI. The examinations incorporate new material required by various conventions and are in a multiple-choice format. These examinations also incorporate material specified by the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). Guidelines for various examinations conducted by the Administrator can be found in the Library. Certificates issued by examination are valid for a term of five years. For more information, please see MI-118E, Requirements for Seafarer Certification by Examination and MI-319Y, Guidelines for Deck Officers’ Examinations (350 Gross Ton Master/500 Gross Ton Mate – Yachts and Master (Yachts) – Unlimited.

Yacht Officer Courses/Examinations

• Preliminary application requirements/prerequisites for seafarers wishing to apply for the RMI Master (Yachts) – Unlimited Tonnage CoC can be found here.
• Preliminary application requirements/prerequisites for seafarers wishing to apply for the RMI 350 Gross Ton/500 Gross Ton Mate CoC can be found in the MI-118, Section 7.2.3.

Seafarers’ Identification and Record Book (SIRB) and Identification Card (ID)

All Masters, officers, and crewmembers listed on the MSMC and any other crewmembers with designated safety or security related functions on board are required to possess proof of STCW Basic Safety Training and an RMI SIRB. The SIRB serves as the crewmember’s identity document, a record of his/her sea service, and contains any Special Qualification Certificates (SQCs). The SIRB is valid for a period of five years. Seafarers may purchase an optional wallet sized ID to serve as another form of documentation.

To apply for an SIRB the following must be provided:

1. Completed MI-273, SIRB-SQC Application
2. National identity document (passport preferred)
3. Recent physical (within the last two years)
4. Proof of relevant training certificates including Security Awareness Qualifications
5. Passport sized photo
6. Letter of commitment from the yacht owner or manager

Receiving/Filing Agents

Over 500 filing agents throughout the world have been approved to receive and file applications. Masters or their appointed agents may apply directly to the Administrator for authorization to act as a filing agent.