The ETO role on a superyacht
The Electro-Technical Officer is responsible for the electrical distribution, electronic navigation and communication systems, entertainment and AV infrastructure, and IT networks on the vessel. On large yachts (50m+), this is a specialist full-time role. On smaller vessels, ETO duties may be shared with engineering.
The ETO role was formalised under the 2010 STCW Manila Amendments. The MCA issues the standard STCW Regulation III/6 CoC, which applies to all vessel types, there is no separate "Y-ETO" designation. The governing UK notice is MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1, with applications on form MSF 4259 (Rev 12/23). In the MCA's own words:
"This Merchant Shipping Notice (MSN) sets out and explains the regulatory requirements regarding the implementation of training elements applicable under Chapter III/6, of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention and Code. It outlines the examination and training requirements for Merchant Navy Electro-technical Officer (ETO)."
MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1, summary · Read the full notice on gov.uk
As with all professional yacht crew, STCW Basic Safety Training and an ENG1 seafarer medical are mandatory before you can work on any commercial yacht.
Entry into the ETO career is typically via a shore-side background in electrical engineering, electronic systems, IT or marine electrical trades. No formal CoC is required to begin accumulating sea time in an ETO role. Most entrants hold relevant trade qualifications before joining yachts. From day one, sea time in an engine department role on qualifying vessels counts toward the ETO CoC requirements.
Sea time: no minimum to start, qualifying sea time begins immediatelyThe MCA STCW III/6 ETO Certificate of Competency. Two routes to qualification. Cadetship/graduate route (MSN 1860 A1 s3.2(a)): at least 12 months combined seagoing service and workshop skills training while following an MCA approved Foundation Degree or HND/Advanced Diploma, including at least 6 months seagoing on merchant ships of at least 750 kW propulsion power and 3 months approved workshop skills training. Experienced route (s3.4): for existing ETOs or those working in a similar capacity, 12 months seagoing service as an ETO or carrying out similar duties. Both routes require passing an MCA oral examination and holding High Voltage Safety training. Check the current MSN 1860 requirements for your route before planning around either.
Cadetship route: 12 months combined, min 6 months seagoing on 750 kW+, min 3 months workshop · Experienced route: 12 months seagoing as an ETO or in a similar capacity (MSN 1860 A1 s3.2(a) / s3.4)SETO, Senior Electro-Technical Officer, is a genuine MCA/UK designation, named explicitly in MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1 (section 5.1). It is not, however, recognised by the STCW Convention itself, so unlike the base STCW III/6 ETO CoC it is not an internationally portable Certificate of Competency, it is an MCA/UK-only designation on top of it. Progression to SETO is driven by experience, the scale of vessels worked on, and demonstrated capability managing complex high-voltage and integrated systems. High Voltage Safety at management level is required. MSN 1860 A1 does not set out a separate statutory sea-time figure for SETO beyond holding the base ETO CoC, so treat the 3-year figure below as industry-typical rather than an MCA-mandated minimum. Senior ETO roles are found primarily on 60m or larger yachts with extensive electrical infrastructure.
Sea time: 3 or more years ETO experience, industry norm (not a separately stated MCA figure)No such thing as a "Y-ETO" certificate: "Y-ETO" is informal industry language used by some crew agents and publications. The MCA issues the standard STCW III/6 ETO CoC, which is the same certificate whether you work on yachts or cargo vessels. Do not be misled by references to a separate Y-ETO qualification, it does not exist as an MCA designation.
The two routes, in the MCA's own words
MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1 sets out the sea time and training you need before you can sit for the ETO CoC. For the cadetship/graduate route, the notice says you must:
"Complete at least 12 months' combined seagoing service and workshop skills training while following an MCA approved Foundation Degree or HND/Advanced Diploma. This must include at least: 6 months' seagoing service on merchant ships with a propulsion power of at least 750 kW, and 3 months' approved workshop skills training"
MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1, section 3.2(a) · Read the full notice on gov.uk
For those already doing the job without the ticket, the experienced route applies:
"If you are an existing ETO or are working in a similar capacity, with 12 months' seagoing service as an ETO or 12 months' seagoing service carrying out similar duties"
MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1, section 3.4 · Read the full notice on gov.uk
Earlier versions of this guide cited a 36-month experienced route; section 3.4 of the current Amendment 1 sets the figure at 12 months as above. Additional conditions and evidence requirements apply to each route, so check the current MSN 1860 requirements for your route before committing to a plan.
Who typically becomes an ETO
ETOs typically come from backgrounds in marine electrical engineering, electronics, IT infrastructure, AV systems, or similar technical fields. A degree or HND in marine electrical or electronic engineering is a common route, Warsash Maritime (Solent University) offers an HND in Marine Electrical and Electronic Engineering specifically designed as an ETO CoC pathway.
The role increasingly covers AV/IT systems alongside the core STCW electrical mandate. The PYA, IAMI and MYBA have been developing a yacht-specific AV/IT training standard, this is a separate industry qualification, distinct from the statutory MCA CoC, and its status should be verified independently. A dedicated yacht ETO, AV and IT course covers this side of the job.
What the job actually looks like, rank by rank
Junior ETO or ETO trainee: on yachts the workload skews heavily towards AV and IT rather than heavy electrical work. Expect guest wifi complaints, cabin AV racks, satellite TV and VSAT tweaks, printer and crew network tickets, and shadowing on switchboard and generator work. You report to the ETO if there is one, otherwise to the Second or Chief Engineer, and your sea time is quietly accruing towards the CoC the whole time.
Sole ETO, typically 60m and above: you are the entire electro-technical department. One day is a failed nav display before a crossing, the next is a Crestron fault in the owner's cabin, the next is planned maintenance on the main switchboard. The split between high-voltage/electrical work and AV/IT is roughly whatever the boat throws at you that week, and there is no one to hand either half to. You report to the Chief Engineer and work closely with the bridge on nav and comms kit. Cyber security of the guest and ship networks increasingly lands on your desk too, a maritime cyber security CPD is a sensible addition.
Senior ETO on an ETO team, typically 100m and above: the largest yachts carry two or more ETOs, sometimes split into an electrical ETO and a dedicated AV/IT officer. The Senior ETO owns the high-voltage distribution plant, sets the maintenance plan, manages the junior ETO or AV/IT engineer, and handles refit specifications and contractor supervision. You still report to the Chief Engineer, but you run your own department within the engine room hierarchy.
Required courses summary
- STCW Basic Safety Training, mandatory for all crew
- ENG1 seafarer medical, mandatory for all crew
- High Voltage Safety, mandatory for MCA III/6 CoC (management level for Senior ETO)
- GMDSS GOC, recommended (many yachts require ETOs to hold it)
- PDSD, required on vessels over 500 GT
How much does a superyacht ETO earn?
ETO pay reflects the technical responsibility of the role and scales with vessel size:
| Role | Indicative monthly pay |
|---|---|
| ETO, 40m to 60m | €4,500 to €5,500 |
| ETO, 60m and above | €5,500 to €8,000 |
Indicative monthly ranges in euros, the industry standard currency. Pay scales with vessel size, rotation and flag, and excludes tips and bonuses. Figures are blended from published 2026 yacht crew salary guides (YPI Crew, Foreland Marine and others); always confirm current rates before relying on them.
Where to train: yacht ETO courses
The ETO route combines marine electro-technical training with the STCW III/6 Certificate of Competency. Compare providers, dates and locations in the YachtSync training directory.
- STCW Basic Safety Training
- ENG1 seafarer medical
- Yacht ETO, AV and IT systems
- BEng Marine Electrotechnology
- Mastering Maritime Cyber Security (CPD)
Official source documents
Everything on this page traces back to the MCA's own publications. Read them in full before making decisions:
- MSN 1860 (M) Amendment 1, UK requirements for Electro-Technical Officers (STCW III/6): notice on gov.uk · full PDF
- Electro-Technical Rating (ETR, STCW III/7): there is no dedicated MSN, it runs under the STCW Regulations 2022 with application form MSF 4371, see the ratings certificate guidance on gov.uk
- MSN 1865 (M) Amendment 1, STCW basic training, safety, security, medical and survival functions: notice on gov.uk
- MSN 1886 (M+F) Amendment 3, medical examination system and standards (ENG1): notice on gov.uk
- MCA engineering officers and ratings hub: guidance on gov.uk
Frequently asked questions
What qualifications do I need to become a superyacht ETO?
STCW BST, ENG1, and High Voltage Safety, plus qualifying sea time via the graduate or experienced route. Then an MCA oral examination. The formal cert is STCW III/6, governed by MSN 1860 Amendment 1. Browse relevant training in the Training Directory.
Is there a Y-ETO certificate?
No. There is no MCA designation called Y-ETO. The MCA issues the standard STCW III/6 CoC. Y-ETO is informal industry language.
What does the High Voltage requirement cover?
High Voltage Safety training is mandatory for the MCA ETO CoC per MSN 1860 Amendment 1. At Senior ETO level, High Voltage at management level is required. Large superyachts operate high-voltage distribution systems, making this practically essential.
Which route is better, graduate or experienced?
The cadetship/graduate route (MSN 1860 A1 s3.2(a): at least 12 months combined, including 6 months seagoing on 750 kW+ ships and 3 months approved workshop training, while following an MCA approved Foundation Degree or HND/Advanced Diploma) suits new entrants. The experienced route (s3.4: 12 months seagoing as an ETO or carrying out similar duties) is for those already doing the job. Both lead to the same STCW III/6 CoC. Additional conditions apply, check the current MSN 1860 requirements for your route.
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