Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what the average waiting time was for an oral examination required to obtain a seafarers' Certificate of Competency in the last 12 months; and what the average waiting time was for that exam in each of the previous 10 years for which figures are available.

The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) does not currently record the average waiting time for an oral examination required to obtain a seafarers’ Certificate of Competency. Candidates or their Nautical College book an examination to fit a study plan. The MCA works with the colleges to meet the needs of an individual candidate.

The MCA has improved the services it offers to seafarers and ship owners including a target of offering 95% of oral examinations within 21 days of request by a candidate holding a valid Notice of Eligibility.