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A day in the life of a Certification Officer, at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency

A day in the life of a Certification Officer

A day in the life of a Certification Officer, at the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).

The Seafarer Training Certification Branch is located at the MCA in Southampton (HQ).

This is a customer facing role within the Seafarer Training and Certification Branch. We aim to deliver a high level of customer service by ensuring that certificates issued to seafarers and in respect of vessels comply with the relevant legislative requirements and are issued accurately within the time frame of our service level agreements.

The Branch comprises of three processing teams; Deck, Engineering and Certificate of Equivalent Competency (CEC).

The key work the teams are involved in is receive, open and record all incoming mail; input details of post received to the appropriate post spreadsheet and the Seafarer Documentation System (SDS); logging applications on seafarers record; assessing and processing of applications; issuing of Notice of Eligibility; the issuing of Certificates of Competency; dealing with customer queries via telephone and email; assess applications for Global Maritime Distress & Safety System and Vessel Traffic Services for endorsement and revalidation; revalidation of Certificates of Competency; issue Letters of Initial Assessment.

The roles on the rota include:-

  • Post Opening (responsible for opening, recording documents received)
  • Data Input (responsible for updating seafarers details onto seafarer documentation system and inputting payments onto the relevant post sheet)
  • Processing applications (assess and process applications for the issuing of Notice of Eligibility)
  • Issuing of Certificate of Competency / Equivalent Competency (log certificates on seafarers record on seafarer documentation system, print CoC/CEC)
  • Telephone and Email enquiries (answering enquiries from seafarers, colleges, companies, responding to all emails within 24hrs)
  • Post Out (preparing for courier despatch all mail going out to seafarers and colleges)

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VERCIDA works with over one hundred clients who are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. If you are an employer and interested in working with VERCIDA to promote your diversity and inclusion initiatives and attract the best candidates, please email [email protected] for more information.

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