What the Examiner Is Really Testing
The examiner wants to know whether you, as an OOW on a yacht, can operate legally and safely within the MCA's rest-hour framework and know what to do when it is breached. A pass-standard answer names the correct rest minima, explains the record-keeping obligation, identifies who holds authority, and shows situational judgement — not just recited numbers.
Safe Manning
The Safe Manning Document (SMD) is issued by the MCA and specifies the minimum number and grades of personnel required for the vessel to operate safely. The OOW must know:
- The SMD is a statutory document; operating below its manning level is unlawful.
- Manning must reflect the vessel's operational area, trading pattern and any equipment limitations.
- On yachts, the master is responsible for ensuring the vessel is not sailed if manning falls below the document's requirements.
Hours of Work and Rest — MSN 1877
MSN 1877 (M) Amendment 2 (MLC Hours of Work Regulations 2018) implements the requirements for seafarers' hours of work and rest on UK vessels, including charter yachts and sail training vessels certificated under MCA small commercial vessel codes. Pure pleasure vessels are excluded. The key minima a candidate must state confidently:
Minimum rest hours:
- 10 hours rest in any 24-hour period
- 77 hours rest in any 7-day period
Rest may be split into no more than two periods, one of which must be at least 6 hours. The interval between consecutive rest periods must not exceed 14 hours.
Work hours alternative (the regulations allow either a work or rest framework):
- Maximum 14 hours work in any 24-hour period
- Maximum 72 hours work in any 7-day period
Scheduled duties table: A posted table of scheduled duties and rest periods, in the format set out at MSN 1877 Annex A, must be displayed on board in English and in the ship's working language.
Records: Hours of rest must be recorded for each seafarer in the MSN 1877 Annex B format (or an approved equivalent), completed at least monthly in arrears. Records are maintained by the master or an authorised person, endorsed by both the master (or authorised person) and the seafarer. A copy must be given to the seafarer. Records must be retained on board for at least one year and be available for inspection by an MCA surveyor at any time, including Port State Control officers.
MCA-authorised exceptions: Where a workforce or collective agreement permits, rest may be divided into three periods (one of at least 6 hours, the others each of at least 1 hour), but this arrangement must not apply for more than two 24-hour periods in any 7-day period, must not exceed two consecutive weeks, and the minimum rest in any 7-day period under this exception is 70 hours.
Emergency suspension: The master may suspend rest schedules where the safety of the ship, persons on board, cargo or other vessels in distress so requires. Once the emergency has passed, adequate compensatory rest must be provided, and the suspension must be recorded in the hours-of-rest record.
Alcohol and fitness: MSN 1877 also references fitness for duty; an OOW must not stand a watch when impaired.
How to Structure Your Spoken Answer
If asked about hours of rest, lead with the two key figures (10 in 24, 77 in 7), then immediately add the split-rest condition. Follow with records — who keeps them, who signs them, how long they are kept, and who can inspect them. If the examiner pushes with a scenario (crew member already tired, port departure imminent), show you know the master's authority to make a safety call and the obligation to record and recover. Never suggest you would falsify records.