What is this course?

Course Overview

HELM (Management) — formally Human Element, Leadership and Management at Management Level — is a mandatory MCA-approved training course based on the Maritime & Nautical Training Board (MNTB) syllabus and IMO Model Course 1.39. It fulfils the knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) requirements embedded in the STCW Convention 1978 as amended by the 2010 Manila Amendments, specifically Regulations II/2 and III/2 and their associated competency tables A-II/2 and A-III/2. The MCA has required HELM(M) completion for all management-level CoC applications received after 31 August 2013.

The course is delivered entirely in the classroom over five days, using lectures, case studies, syndicate exercises and assessed presentations. Content covers shipboard human resource management, bridge and engine-room resource management, decision-making under pressure, resource allocation and operational planning, personnel training and assessment, leadership and communication at management level, and managing crew performance and welfare. There is no simulated sea exercise or practical drill component — it is a knowledge and competency course.

The requirement applies regardless of vessel type — it is not specific to superyachts or commercial ships. Any officer applying to the MCA for a management-level CoC, whether on a yacht or a merchant vessel, must hold the HELM(M) certificate. The MCA's primary notice introducing the requirement is MIN 482(M).

Prerequisites

Minimum age 18
Operational-level Certificate of Competency (e.g. OOW deck or engineering), or documented minimum seagoing service
Some providers require HELM(O) certificate or a CoC with a minimum of 12 months' seagoing experience
Valid photo ID (passport, driving licence or discharge book)
Sufficient English to follow instruction and complete assessments
Seafarer medical certificate (ENG1 or equivalent) strongly advised

What You Will Learn

Shipboard human resource management principles
Bridge and engine-room resource management
Decision-making frameworks under operational pressure
Resource allocation and voyage/voyage planning
Personnel training, assessment and development
Leadership and communication at management level
Managing crew performance, welfare and fitness for duty
Compliance with STCW management-level competency standards

Where it takes you

Career Progression

Before

HELM (Operational) + Operational CoC

Hold an operational-level Certificate of Competency (OOW deck or engineering) and have completed HELM(O) — the 3-day course for operational-level officers. Accumulate the seagoing service required for a management-level CoC application.

This Course

HELM (Management)

Completes the mandatory STCW leadership and management knowledge requirement (Tables A-II/2 and A-III/2). Awarded as a one-time MCA-approved HELM(M) certificate, submitted as a supporting document with the management CoC application.

Next Step

Management-Level Certificate of Competency

Submit HELM(M) with your MCA CoC application to receive Chief Mate (500 GT+), Master (500 GT+), Second Engineer Officer or Chief Engineer Officer certification, and progress to senior shipboard officer roles.

Completing HELM(M) and obtaining a management-level CoC opens the senior officer roles on commercial and superyacht fleets: Chief Mate and Master on vessels of 500 GT and above (deck), and Second Engineer Officer or Chief Engineer Officer on vessels with 750 kW or more propulsion (engineering). These roles represent the top of the shipboard command structure and are required for UK-flagged or MCA CoC-dependent vessels worldwide. The HELM progression mirrors the operational-to-management CoC ladder: HELM(O) is the required precursor at operational level; HELM(M) completes the management-level obligation.

Course at a glance

Key Facts

Duration

5 Days

Typical Cost

£595 – £990

Issuing Body

MCA / MNTB

Certificate Validity

No Expiry

Prerequisite

OOW CoC + HELM(O)

Delivery

Classroom

Regulatory Basis

STCW II/2 & III/2

MCA Notice

MIN 482(M)

No revalidation required. The HELM(M) certificate does not expire and does not require periodic revalidation. It is a one-time training requirement. The MCA does not require re-submission of HELM(M) when revalidating a CoC — only the initial management-level CoC application requires it. This contrasts with STCW Basic Safety Training elements and GMDSS, both of which carry 5-year refresh requirements. HELM(M) is a knowledge competency course and sits outside the revalidation cycle.

Where to study

Schools Offering This Course

Diverso Impex Maritime Training Center

Split, Croatia

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XONE Superyacht Academy (Malta)

Pieta, Malta

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Barcelona Crew Academy

Barcelona, Spain

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SALT Services (Sea Air & Land Training)

Edinburgh, United Kingdom

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Stream Marine Training

Glasgow, United Kingdom

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City of Glasgow College — Faculty of Nautical Studies

Glasgow, United Kingdom

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Fleetwood Nautical Campus (Blackpool and The Fylde College)

Fleetwood, United Kingdom

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South Shields Marine School (Tyne Coast College)

South Shields, United Kingdom

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Warsash Maritime School — Solent University

Warsash, United Kingdom

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11 schools offer this course in the YachtSync directory.

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Important: Course dates, availability and prices shown on this page are indicative only and were gathered from providers' public websites. Always confirm current dates, availability and pricing directly with the training provider before making any booking or payment. All bookings are made directly with the provider — YachtSync is not a party to any booking and accepts no responsibility for date changes, cancellations, pricing errors or any other changes made by providers. Course information is for guidance only; verify requirements with the relevant authority (MCA, RYA, STCW) before enrolling.