LONDON, April 27 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The firstseafarersto takenew digitalassessmentsthat arebeingrolled outby the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)have been congratulated as theyopenedtheir results this week.
Around170candidates were assessed inApril 2026throughthesecureweb-basedplatformwhichisreplacingtraditional written examswith flexible,digital assessments.
Thegroundbreakingassessments, whichapply toOfficer of the Watch (Unlimited) and Chief Mate (Unlimited) Certificates of Competency,marka significant milestonein the modernisation of UK seafarer certification.
Shajan Lukose,MCA Head of Nautical Examiners, said:
On behalf of everyone at the MCA,I'dlike to congratulate thecandidates who have broken new ground by completing theirCertificate of Competency assessmentson the digital assessment platform.
The system is not only simpler and more accessible for candidates and examiners, but also better reflects the new syllabus to ensure the next generation of seafarers are equipped with the skills for the modern maritime world.
Consistent, fair and up-to-date learning andassessmentsensurewe have knowledgeable and well-trainedseafarersable to forge successful careers and drive the UK's maritime industry forward.
The newassessmentsystemlinks closely to themodernisedseafarer trainingsyllabus,reflectingthe realities of modern seafaring and bridge operations.
The platform is being rolled out across MCA-approved examination centres worldwide and is expected to supportmore than5,000 candidates each year across a range of maritime qualificationswhen it is fully implemented.
Candidatesdemonstrateknowledge anddecision-makingthrough a variety ofdigitalprocesses, includingscenario-basedresponses, image and chart annotation, structured written answers, and automated elements whereappropriate.
Competenceisassessedin areas such asship stability,passage planning, collision avoidance, and modern navigation systems-safety-criticalskills routinely used on board today's vessels.
Background
Provision of the digital assessment platform was put to tender in2025 and awarded to the International Association of Maritime Institutions (IAMI), a global network of maritime training providers.
The change ispart of the Cadet Training and Modernisation (CT&M) Programme, led by the MCA with the involvement of employers, seafarers, education providers, seafarer unions, and industry leaders.
The CT&M Programme is based on recommendations made by the Seafarer and Cadet Training Review, launched by the Maritime Skills Commission on the instruction of the Maritime Minister in 2021.
It brings together key stakeholders, includingemployers,the UK Chamber of Shipping, Merchant Navy Training Board, seafarer unions, educators and more, focused on improving seafarer training.
It is believed to be the first time a maritime regulator like the MCA has joined forces with industry experts to shape such training in this way.
The MCA does not deliver training butis responsible foroverseeing that standards aremaintainedby providers through seafarer assessments and regular audits of the training providers.
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