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.

Requirements

Qualification requirements

Candidates wishing to gain the Maritime Search and Rescue Command Endorsement must:

    • hold an appropriate and Powerboat, Yachtmaster, Master CoC, Naval/Coastguard/Military Command qualification issued by a recognised authority, or hold an equivalent internal command qualification for your specific SAR organisation (endorsement will be limited to service on issuing organisation vessels only)
  • be at least 21 years old
  • have accrued a minimum of 200 operational 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.

 

New Candidate Pathway

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. 

New Candidates will automatically qualify for free Nautical Institute Student Membership for the duration of the scheme and gain 12 months free membership to The Maritime Search and Rescue Council. 

 

Click here to download the New Candidate Pathway

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[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.

Experienced Candidate Pathway

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.

Click here to download the Experienced Candidate Pathway

Revalidation

The MSARES also provides a revalidation procedure for all its certified sea personnel. 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 £400.00  Enrolment, written examination (3 attempts), oral examination (1 attempt), verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support.
Experienced Candidates £250.00 Enrolment, formal Interview (1 attempt), verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support.
Revalidation  £200.00 Enrolment, verification of sea service, certification, and administrative support.
Re-sit Exam
Oral  £100.00 An additional attempt at the oral examination. 
Written  £100.00 An additional three (3) attempts at the written exam. 

 

The Syllabus

All candidates for the issue of a Command Endorsement, will have a knowledge and understanding of the subjects detailed in this syllabus.

1

Module 01 – Role and duties of the SAR commander

Unit 001 - Duties and expectations of a SAR commander
Unit 002 – Operational structure and hierarchy of a SAR Unit
Unit 003 - International SAR framework

2

Module 02 - Leadership and crew management

Unit 001 - Leadership techniques
Unit 002 - Operational briefings and debriefings
Unit 003 - Conflict and interpersonal situations

3

Module 03 – Vessel operations in various sea conditions

Unit 001 – Handling and stability in different weather conditions
Unit 002 - Casualty vessel handling and stability in different weather conditions

4

Module 04 – Safety, health, and environmental protocols

Unit 001 - Identify and mitigate potential hazards
Unit 002 - Emergency operating procedures
Unit 003 - Risk assessments and incident reporting

5

Module 05 – Effective search and rescue operations

Unit 001 - SAR plans using and search patterns
Unit 002 - Risk versus benefit
Unit 003 - External agencies and emergency responders
Unit 004 - Search techniques
Unit 005 - Safety and efficiency
Unit 006 - Mass rescue operations
Unit 007 - Casualty care and evacuation procedures
Unit 008 - On-scene coordination as OSC

6

Module 06 – SAR vessel safety and navigation

Unit 001 - Navigational charts and electronic aids
Unit 002 - Collision avoidance regulations
Unit 003 - Passage planning and safe route execution

7

Module 07 – Propulsion, auxiliary systems, vessel and equipment

Unit 001 - Engine and propulsion systems
Unit 002 – Vessel systems maintenance
Unit 003 – Vessel equipment maintenance

8

Module 08 – Communication

Unit 001 - VHF radio and emergency communication systems
Unit 002 - Interactions with media and the public
Unit 003 - Crew communication techniques

9

Module 09 – SAR crew mental health and wellbeing

Unit 001 - Mental health and systems for post-incident support