Command Endorsement
The Command pathway is designed to equip candidates with the advanced leadership and strategic skills necessary for overseeing maritime SAR operations. This pathway focuses on developing the ability to make critical decisions under pressure, coordinate complex rescue missions, and effectively manage resources and personnel.
By completing the Command Endorsement, candidates will demonstrate their capability to handle the high-stakes responsibilities of command roles in SAR missions, contributing to the overall effectiveness, safety and success of search and rescue efforts.
Introduction and Overview
The Maritime SAR Command Endorsement Scheme ensures that SAR professionals meet a recognised standard of proficiency, providing a self-driven professional development programme. The scheme is designed for candidates involved in maritime search and rescue operations in a command capacity or working towards a command position and includes both practical tasks and the acquisition of essential theoretical knowledge.
The Maritime SAR Command Endorsement is applied in accordance with the SAR asset and operational environment in which the candidate is actively working and experienced in, as clarified later in this document. It is to be used alongside the appropriate maritime certification required for the size and type of SAR vessel operated (Powerboat, Yachtmaster, Master CoC or equivalent internal qualification). This endorsement does not alter the limits or privileges of these certificates but instead recognises the specialised skills and proficiency gained in SAR operations in different SAR contexts, particularly in the complex and high-risk scenarios that SAR vessels frequently encounter.
Requirements
Candidates wishing to gain the Maritime Search and Rescue Command Endorsement must:
- hold an appropriate and Powerboat, Yachtmaster, or Master CoC issued by a recognised authority, or equivalent internal qualification (on a case by case basis – endorsement will be limited to issuing organisation only)
- be at least 21 years old,
- have accrued a minimum of 250 sea hours on board dedicated SAR vessels or emergency response vessel with prescribed SAR responsibilities in SAR related tasks or training
- Hours accrued prior to the scheme enrolment may be counted, subject to the conditions in this section being met. Sea hours acquired prior to enrolment must be confirmed either by a letter on an organisational letterhead and signed by an appropriate authority within the organisation, or an appropriate logbook where entries are signed and stamped by the Master or other representative of the vessel/organisation. New candidates acquiring sea hours after enrolment will log such hours in the Task Record Book provided to candidates. Self-declared sea hours will not be accepted.
- have accrued a minimum period of sea service on SAR vessel or emergency response vessel with prescribed SAR responsibilities in SAR related tasks hours, SAR training hours at sea, SAR exercises at sea, and SAR service taskings.
Candidate Pathways
New Candidates
New candidates are required to complete a programme of self-study and a Training Record Book (TRB) at sea under the supervision of a competent person[1]. With accumulated sea hours and completion of the outlined tasks, new candidates will be eligible to take the two-tier examination in which their knowledge and proficiency to safely operate and command SAR vessels will be tested. Any approved sea hours accrued must have been recorded/ signed off no more than five years prior to sitting part one of the examination.
Experienced Candidates
The Scheme provides a streamlined pathway for experienced operators and commanders of search and rescue vessels with substantial prior knowledge and expertise in search and rescue operations. These individuals may participate in a verification interview combined with a shortened oral examination, which could result in the direct issuance of a Maritime Search and Rescue Command Endorsement.
Candidates who meet the criteria outlined in the experienced candidate pathway will be exempt from completing the Training Record Book (TRB), written exam and full oral exam. This provision recognises their existing qualifications and experience.
[1] A competent person is a person who holds a command position onboard a SAR vessel or emergency response vessel with prescribed SAR responsibilities and possesses the knowledge or experience necessary to supervise the safe and efficient execution of tasks in accordance with standards expected onboard a vessel of this type.
Revalidation
The MSARES also provides a revalidation procedure for all its certified sea personnel. Candidates should follow the revalidation pathway detailed in “Revalidation Pathway’ diagram. When submitting an application for revalidation, you will need to submit evidence of a valid Powerboat, Yachtmaster, or Master CoC, and have at least 125 sea hours on a SAR vessel accrued in the last 5 years.
Scheme Fees
| First Time Application | ||
| Pathways | Fees | What's included |
| New Candidates | £XXX.XX | Enrolment, written examination (3 attempts), oral examination (1 attempt), verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support. |
| Experienced Candidates | £XXX.XX | Enrolment, formal Interview (1 attempt), verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support. |
| Revalidation | £XXX.XX | Enrolment, verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support. |
| Re-sit Exam | ||
| Oral | £XXX.XX | An additional attempt at the oral examination. |
| Written | £XXX.XX | An additional three (3) attempts at the written exam. |
The Syllabus
All candidates for the issue of an International Sail Endorsement, will have a knowledge and understanding of the subjects detailed in this syllabus.
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Module |
Unit |
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Module 01 –
Role and duties of the SAR commander |
Unit 001 - Duties and expectations of a SAR commander
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Unit 002 – Operational structure and hierarchy of a SAR Unit
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Unit 003 - International SAR framework
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Module 02 -
Leadership and crew management |
Unit 001 - Leadership techniques
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Unit 002 - Operational briefings and debriefings
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Unit 003 - Conflict and interpersonal situations
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Module 03 – |
Unit 001 – Handling and stability in different weather conditions
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Unit 002 - Casualty vessel handling and stability in different weather conditions
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Module 04 – |
Unit 001 - Identify and mitigate potential hazards
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Unit 002 - Emergency operating procedures
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Unit 003 - Risk assessments and incident reporting
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Module 05 –
Effective search and rescue operations |
Unit 001 - SAR plans using and search patterns
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Unit 002 - Risk versus benefit
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Unit 003 - External agencies and emergency responders
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Unit 004 - Search techniques
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Unit 005 - Safety and efficiency
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Unit 006 - Mass rescue operations
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Unit 007 - Casualty care and evacuation procedures
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Unit 008 - On-scene coordination as OSC
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Module 06 –
SAR vessel safety and navigation
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Unit 001 - Navigational charts and electronic aids
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Unit 002 - Collision avoidance regulations
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Unit 003 - Passage planning and safe route execution
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Module 07 –
Propulsion, auxiliary systems, vessel and equipment |
Unit 001 - Engine and propulsion systems
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Unit 002 – Vessel systems maintenance
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Unit 003 – Vessel equipment maintenance
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Module 08 –
Communication |
Unit 001 - VHF radio and emergency communication systems
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Unit 002 - Interactions with media and the public
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Unit 003 - Crew communication techniques
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Module 09 –
SAR crew mental health and wellbeing |
Unit 001 - Mental health and systems for post-incident support
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