Efficient Deckhand (EDH)

The Efficient Deck Hand course (EDH) is a theoretical and practical course that develops an understanding of shipboard organisation and operations for crewmembers with a qualified amount of experience on deck.

It is a requirement for all MCA certificates of competency with the exception of Master 200.

Course Structure

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, 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, 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.

Useful Information

Candidates must be at least 17 years of age and hold a valid ENG1 certificate.

Additionally candidates must hold at least one of the following:

RYA or IYT Yachtmaster Offshore certificate and shorebased course.

Yacht rating with at least six months' sea service and a steering certificate or Navigational Watch Rating (NWR) certificate

Deck Officer Class 2 - Fishing CoC

Seafish five day watchkeeping course for under 16.5m fishing certificates

BML Tier 1 level 2 certificates

Tug rating with at least six months' sea service (which may be in categorised water) and a steering certificate or a NWR certificate.

Note: before an EDH certificate can be issued a minimum of six months' sea service in vessels of more than 15m is required.

Course Delivery

The EDH course uses multiple practical sessions to back up the lectures, displays and demonstrations used in the classroom teaching.

Assessment and Certification

There is an oral and a practical examination at the end of the course which is carried out by an approved MCA examiner.

Successful candidates will be awarded the MCA Efficient Deck Hand Certificate.