Efficient Deck Hand (EDH)
From shipboard organisation to operations
The efficient deck hand course at UKSA will enable a better understanding of shipboard organisation and operations, pilot ladders and means of access, cargo work, safety and seamanship, including knots, splicing and whipping and seizing.
About the course
The Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) must now be completed as part of the OOW certification.
The EDH course covers:
- Basic seamanship
- Ropework and wire work
- Use of lifting equipment
- Rigging of stages and bosuns’ chairs
- Basic painting and maintenance routines
- Steering and duties of the lookout and the responsibilities of crew members under the Code of Safe Working Practices for Merchant Seamen.
Training towards
Prerequisites
Mandatory entry requirements for an Efficient Deck Hand Certificate:
- You must be at least 17 years of age to qualify.
- The following certification and experience will permit entry on to the EDH course and examination:
- An MCA accepted Yachtmaster Offshore; or
- A Yacht Rating CoP with at least 6 months’ onboard yacht service and a steering certificate10; or
- An NWR CoP; or
- A Boat Master Licence (BML) Tier 1 level 2 certificate; or
- A Tug Rating CoP with at least 6 months’ seagoing service and a steering certificate or an NWR CoP.
Note: before an EDH CoP can be issued, a minimum of 6 months’ seagoing service on vessels of 15m or more is required. Seagoing service in category C and D waters will be accepted at full rate.
The requirements for entry onto the Efficient Deck Hand course are specified in MSN 1862 (Amendment 1) and MIN 643
Assessment
There is an oral and practical examination at the end of the EDH course carried out by an approved MCA examiner.
The course syllabus can be found in MIN471
Notes:
After 01 January 2017, an MCA Approved Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) certificate must have been issued at least 18 months prior to the issue of your Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 3000gt) Certificate of Competency.
What’s included
- Duration – 5 days
Residential
- Inclusive of all food & accommodation
Non-residential
- Inclusive of lunch
Dates and pricing
| Course | From | To | Non-res | All-inc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 27/01/2025 | 31/01/2025 | £780 | £980 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 17/02/2025 | 21/02/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 16/03/2025 | 20/03/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 07/04/2025 | 11/04/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 14/05/2025 | 18/05/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 24/06/2025 | 28/06/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 26/08/2025 | 30/08/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 27/09/2025 | 01/10/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 27/10/2025 | 31/10/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 16/11/2025 | 20/11/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 07/12/2025 | 11/12/2025 | £795 | £995 |
| Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) | 24/01/2026 | 28/01/2026 | £795 | £995 |