Do I Need An Thames LKE?

There are two different Local Knowledge Endorsements on the Thames

• The MCA Boatmasters Licence
• The Port of London Authority issue endorsements on RYA certificates.

Guidance of requirements & syllabus for the PLA Local Knowledge Endorsement can be found on their websitewww.pla.co.uk, and requirements for the Boatmaster’s Licence Local knowledge endorsement can be found on the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA) website 

Below is a table of the requirements for each of the endorsements;

Examining authority	Qualification required	Boat time required	Activity requiring work
MCA	Tier 1 Boat Masters Licence (BML)	minimum 120 days for BML plus six months experience	After 6 months of holding the licence and working in the area candidates can sit the local knowledge exam. This allows them to operate as a master of the vessels they are qualified to take under their BML
PLA	Minimum RYA Power Boat 2 commercially endorsed	60 days, demonstrated by boat log or using the PLA experience log. Qualifying time will be assessed on a case by case basis.	Vessel was used for commercial purposes and is between 13.7m and 40m. Passengers vessels under 13.7m. Any vessel licenced by the PLA under the certificate of compliance will also need a LKE

PLA Requirements - click here

MCA LKE Requirements - MGN 1853 (M)

(Thames LKE Training Syllabus based on the combination of these)

If you need to order hardcopies of the relevant regulations from the PLA email regulationsenquiry@pla.co.uk, or  01474 562269  requesting a BML pack which is £8 as per the Charges 2015. Or most are available as PDF's on the PLA website

If you need to work on the pre-requesites before coming on one of our courses take a look at our links to see where you can get the training. Click here