December 2023 - The Introduction of Workboat Code 3 has changed the training requirements, existing seafarers who have completed the SQA units or who were booked prior to 13th December 2023 to attend a course before the end of March 2024 will continue to be able to use their SQA certificates as evidence of meeting the training requirements under Workboat Code 3, 2 and the Brown Code once it transitions to WBC3. Anyone who hasn't completed the SQA units will now need to complete the 2023 updated version of the MCA Small Ships Navigation and Radar course.

In the Workboat Code Edition 2, in Annex 3 “the Manning of Small Vessels”, there are the following two sections:

2.11 Radar Training
2.11.1 In any vessel that carries radar, the Master and any member of the crew who is likely to use the radar is strongly recommended to undertake appropriate training e.g. the Small Ships Navigation and Radar Course, the MSQ unit ‘Use of Radar for Safe Navigation and Collision Avoidance on Domestic and Code Vessels’, or other course subsequently approved by the MCA. This strong recommendation becomes a requirement 3 years after the publication of this Code.

2.13 Electronic Chart Plotters Training
2.13.1 It is strongly recommended that training appropriate to the type of equipment on the vessel must be undertaken by the Master and any other crew member responsible for navigation. This strong recommendation becomes a requirement 3 years after publication of this code. Note: the MSQ unit ‘Operate non-ECDIS marine Electronic Chart Systems’, developed by the NWA has been approved by the MCA as meeting this requirement.

If you completed these modules prior to the end of May 2024 the SQA Certificates are accepted by the MCA as meeting the requirements under both Workboat Code 2 and Workboat Code 3 - MGN 691 refers.