Who Needs An MCA Approved Small Craft Stability Course?
The MCA Approved One-day Small Craft Stability Course was originally introduced to satisfy requirements under the Workboat and Pilot Boat Code. It is also required for masters of certain yachts and powered craft operating under the Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code.
The MCA Approved One-day Small Craft Stability Course was originally launched to satisfy the MCA Workboat and Pilot Boat Code of Practice. It is now also a requirement for skippers operating on yachts and powered craft under the Sport & Pleasure Vessel Code of Practice.
This course is suitable for skippers, masters and candidates working with commercial small craft, workboats, pilot boats, coded yachts, fishing vessels and larger leisure or sport/pleasure vessels.
Mandatory for some workboat skippers
The course is required for masters of certain workboats, including vessels that:
- are required to carry a stability book;
- operate more than 60 miles from a safe haven;
- carry more than one tonne of cargo;
- are fitted with a crane or dredging gear;
- operate in areas prone to icing.
Mandatory for some yacht and sport/pleasure vessel skippers
The course may also be required under the Sport or Pleasure Vessel Code for some yachts and powered craft, including vessels that:
- are required to carry a stability book;
- operate with more than 15 people on board;
- operate more than 60 miles from a safe haven with more than six people on board.
Recommended for professional candidates and instructors
This course is also useful for:
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore candidates;
- STCW Master 200 candidates;
- STCW OOW 3000 candidates;
- MCA Fishing Class 1 or 2 candidates;
- RYA Cruising Instructor;
- RYA Yachtmaster Instructors;
- RYA Navigation Instructors.
MCA Small Craft Stability Course – At a Glance
- Duration: 1 day
- Approval: MCA Approved
- Certificate: MCA course certificate on successful completion
- Locations: Hamble and Southampton
- Assessment: Short written assessment
- Maximum ratio: 12 students per instructor
- Suitable for: Workboat masters, pilot boat masters, yacht skippers and professional mariners
- Format: Classroom theory with practical stability models and exercises
WHERE IS THE MCA APPROVED STABILITY COURSE RUN?
HOW LONG IS THE MCA STABILITY COURSE?
1 day, which includes a short written assessment
WHAT ARE THE PREREQUISITES FOR MCA APPROVED STABILITY COURSE?
- Candidates must be fluent in the English language
- Minimum age 18
- Candidates should either hold or be working towards one of the following CoCs
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal
- RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Offshore
- RYA/MCA Advanced Powerboat
- STCW OOW 3000
- STCW Master 200
- MCA Fishing Class 1 or 2
WHAT IS COVERED ON THE MCA SMALL CRAFT WORKBOAT STABILITY COURSE?
This one-day classroom course includes plenty of practical demonstrations and exercises. While this is traditionally a mathematical/scientific subject our Instructor will assume you have no formal stability training, he will keep formulas to an absolute minimum and focus on ensuring you leave with a working knowledge of small craft stability. The course content is;
- General terms in use
- General Principles of Transverse Stability
- Location of CoG, K, M, CoB
- Rolling and shift of CoB
- Theory of Moments, Righting levers, List & heel
- Equilibriums
- Adding, removing and shifting weights
- Simple calculation of transverse stability and effects on draft
- General understanding of change of trim
- Trimming moments
- Longitudinal Metacentre & LCF
- Importance of monitoring of any changes, regular checks
- The Stability Booklet
- Stiff and tender vessels
- Use of cranes and shift of CoG
- Free Surface Effect
- Tanks
- Consumption of fuel and water
- Water on deck
- Critical KG calculations (Transverse Stability)
- Inclining Test
- Deck edge Immersion
- Catamaran stability
- Risks associated with Tug and Tow
- Risks associated with deck cargoes
- Wind & Ice accretion Effects
WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE COURSE?
- Day of training (& assessment)
- MCA Certification
- CT Stability Course Handbook
- Motor, Sail & Fishing Vessel Stability Notes
- Use of model boats, test tanks etc.
- Tea and Coffee
- Free Parking
WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN COURSE?
- Lunch
WHAT IS THE TEACHING RATIO FOR MCA WORKBOAT STABILITY?
We run this course with a maximum of 12 students per instructor. Each pair of students has use of their own model boat, weights and water tank for the duration of the day to run the various scenarios themselves.
NOT SURE IF YOU NEED THIS COURSE? ASK US
Tell us your vessel length, type of operation, area of operation, number onboard and whether it carries cargo or lifting equipment, and we’ll help identify whether stability training is required.
MCA Small Craft Stability Course – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is the MCA Small Craft Stability Course mandatory for workboat skippers?
It is mandatory for some workboat Masters. Under Workboat Code Edition 3 (WB3), where a vessel is required to carry an approved Stability Information Booklet, as a minimum the Master must have completed an MCA-approved one-day stability course. Other vessel characteristics and operating conditions may also trigger stability training requirements.
Do yacht skippers need the MCA Small Craft Stability Course?
Some yacht and powered-craft skippers may require approved stability training, depending on the vessel, its certification, area of operation and number of persons carried. The requirement should therefore be checked against the vessel’s applicable certification and operating code rather than assuming that every yacht skipper requires the course.
Is this the MCA Workboat Stability Course required under Workboat Code Edition 3?
Yes. This is an MCA Approved Small Craft Stability Course. Workboat Code Edition 3 (WB3) requires the Master of a workboat that is required to carry an approved Stability Information Booklet to have completed an MCA-approved one-day stability course.
How long is the MCA Small Craft Stability Course?
The MCA Small Craft Stability Course takes one day. The course includes classroom training, practical stability exercises and demonstrations, followed by a short written assessment.
Do I need any previous stability knowledge?
No previous formal stability training is assumed. The course introduces the principles of small craft stability from the beginning and keeps mathematical formulae to the minimum necessary. We focus on giving candidates a practical understanding of stability using demonstrations, model vessels, weights and stability tanks.
Is there an exam on the MCA Stability Course?
Yes. There is a short written assessment at the end of the course. The training throughout the day prepares candidates for the assessment and includes practical exercises and demonstrations to reinforce the key stability principles.
Where can I take the MCA Small Craft Stability Course?
Chieftain Training runs the MCA Approved Small Craft Stability Course in Southampton and Hamble, on the Solent in Hampshire. Course dates are scheduled throughout the year.
Does the course cover cranes, deck cargo and free surface effect?
Yes. The syllabus includes the stability effects of cranes and lifting operations, deck cargo, free surface effect, shifting and adding weights, fuel and water consumption, water on deck, trim, critical KG, inclining tests, towing, wind and ice accretion. Practical model-vessel exercises are used to demonstrate many of these effects.
What certificate do I receive?
Candidates who successfully complete the training and assessment receive the MCA Approved Small Craft Stability Certificate
Does the MCA Small Craft Stability certificate expire?
No it does not expire in the eyes of the MCA or the Code of Practice.