Program Overview

Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) Course

Course Information

The Efficient Deck Hand (EDH) course is a theoretical and practical program that enables an understanding of shipboard organisation and operations, pilot ladders and means of access, cargo work, safety and seamanship, including knots, splicing and whipping and seizing.

What You'll Learn

• Shipboard Organisation and Operations: Shipboard organisation, parts of a vessel, deck equipment, lookout reporting, helm orders, anchoring and mooring arrangements.
• Pilot Ladders and Means of Access: Rigging a pilot ladder, means of access, and boarding arrangements.
• Cargo Work: Hatch covers, derricks and cranes, blocks and tackles, containers, and securing arrangements.
• Safety: COSWOP, IMO safety signs, enclosed spaces, fire extinguishers, and lifeboat and liferaft launching.
• Seamanship: Rope types and construction, knots, bends and hitches, rigging a bosun's chair and stage, rope and wire splicing, whipping and seizing, parcelling, and serving.

Course Objectives

At the end of your training, you should have the knowledge to:

• Perform in a safe working environment on board ship.
• Perform a range of seamanship tasks effectively.
• Have a working knowledge of COWSP.

Prerequisites

The requirements for entry onto the Efficient Deck Hand course are specified in MSN 1862 (Amendment 1) and MIN 643 as follows:

• You must be 17 years of age to qualify and hold a valid medical fitness certificate.
• The following certification and experience will permit entry on to the EDH course and examination:
  • An MCA accepted Yachtmaster Offshore, or
  • A Yacht Rating Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) with at least 6 months' onboard yacht service and a steering certificate, or
  • A Navigational Watch Rating Certificate of Proficiency, 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, or
  • A UK Class 1 or 2 Fishing Certificate of Competency (Deck or Engineering) and a Seafish Fishing Under 16.5m Skippers Certificate (with evidence of at least 6 months' seagoing service), or
  • Enrolment onto the following Officer of the Watch (STCW II/1) courses:
    • An MCA-approved cadet training programme,
    • An MCA-approved overseas collaborative programme (1+1).
• 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. Any candidate who cannot supply acceptable evidence of such sea time will have their certificate withheld until such evidence has been provided.

Course Details

• Duration: 5 days
• Price: £690
• Approvals: MCA

Course Availability

The course is available on the following dates:

• Monday 13 April 2026
• Monday 20 April 2026
• Monday 11 May 2026
• Monday 8 June 2026
• Monday 13 July 2026
• Monday 20 July 2026
• Monday 27 July 2026