The Tier 1 Boat Master License consists of 13-19 weeks of training, covering three compulsory sectionsof learning. In addition there is a compulsory ancillary safety training module covering basic safety courses.

There are also a further optional nine special endorsements which may be obtained.

The Boat Master's License is required for the masters of passenger ships carrying more than 12 passengers, and for non passenger vessels of 24m and over, including cargo vessels; tankers; tugs and pusher carft engaged in cargo operations; workboats and dredgers, when they are operating in inland waterways or in limited coastal areas.

The compulsory modules are:

• Bridge watchkeeping
• Meteorology
• Ship manoeuvring
• Vessel handling in extreme weather
• Mooring and unmooring a vessel
• Rope work, access and lifting gear
• Ship knowledge and publications
• Basic engineering knowledge and machinery
• Health and safety
• Emergency action
• Pollution prevention and handling and wate management
• chart work, navigation and position fixing
• Locks and bridges
• Tides and currents
• Compass work
• Anchor work

Ancillary safety training comprises:

• Personal Survival
• First Aid
• Fire safety

Special endorsements:

• Cargo - general
• Oil caroes
• Dredging
• Towing and pushing
• Passenger operations general
• Large passenger vessel
• Fast craft
• Radar
• Sea operations

The training aims to provide a balanced course content:

• The aim of the BML is to underpin safety standards and facilitate trade on the UK's Inland waterways and coastal areas, and in equivalent EC waters
• The course provides practical training in basic seamanship
• It will cover generic elements for categories A to Dand limited coastal sea waters.
• Where applicable, recognition of prior learning that may allow a candidate to directly sit the relevant individual module examination.

Training is provided in our specialised training centre at our HQ in Cowes, and on board our vessels.

To obtain a Tier 1 Boat master license, the candidate must:

• Present their completed task record book
• Have completed the appropriate qualifying service time (generally 240 days at sea, and 24 months of qualifying employment).
• Present an ML5 or ENG 1 medical certificate
• Be of the correct minimum age, which varies according to the category of water, and the type of operation, but which is at least 18. Please see Annex 2a of notice MSN 1808(M) or your task record book for appropriate details.

To see the whole notice click here.

All candidates must also have a qualifying STCW 95 Basic Safety Training. This consists of

• Personal Survival Training
• Fire Fighting and Prevention
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibilty

Which are recommended tobe renewed every five years

and Elementary First Aid, which must be renewed every three years.

Please contact us for more information and for pricing for this course. We can help you arrange accommodation, but it will not be included in the price.

This is a formal, and european wide recognised qualification and, once you have passed MCA oral and practical examinations, will enable you to take control, as master, of a passenger vessel carrying up to 250 passengers and crew. As such it is a sought after accreditation and may be used to launch a new career in the commercial passenger industry.

For those looking to complete the BML Tier 1 Level 2 training as an individual, you may be eligible for a career development loan in order to help you cover costs. For more information on CDLs, contact the Learning and skills council, or look at the website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/AdultLearning/CareerDevelopmentLoans/index.htm

For accommodation, we can recommend the Duke of York, only 5 minutes away, or suggest the accommodation pages on Cowes Online