ENG1 vs ML5?

Professional Mariner Forum
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Newbie here, I hope this isn’t a foolish question.

I’m looking at getting a commercial endorsement on an RYA Day Skipper, with a view to building some experience towards Yachtmaster, (and USCG OUPV too when I can reach the 360 day requirement).

As I understand it, I could get ML5 or ENG1 for this immediate purpose, but I don’t know if there are any compelling reasons for choosing one over the other. So, that’s my question.

Initially, I would expect to be working only on small enough vessels that I think ML5 would be sufficient, but I guess I’d be cutting myself off from opportunities on larger vessels (obviously, I’d be deck crew on any such bigger vessel, but still, it’s time and experience).

Is ML5 an easier standard to achieve (I’m pretty sure I’m healthy, the FAA gave me a class II medical recently, but that’s a different thing with emphasis on acute rather than long-term potential issues).

Is ML5 noticably cheaper?

I’m 62 right now, and I believe that affects the duration of these certificates, should that influence my choice?

I think my inclination is just to go for ENG1 and be done with it (certainly my plan to semi-retire at sea would be in jeopardy anyway if I can’t get ENG1 eventually, so perhaps it’s better to know now rather than later?)

It might also be relevant that it’s at least a $1000 endeavor to show up for the exam (I live in Colorado, in the middle of the U.S. so there’s airfare and hotel to get to at least Florida. My current plan is to take this medical while I’m in the UK early next year for some training. On that basis, failing, or being referred to a specialist, is a very expensive option!)

Is it possible to apply for both at the same time and get ENG1 if I’m good to go, or ML5 if I meet that standard, but don’t meet ENG1 standard (if they’re even different?)

What don’t I know?

Thanks for any help and guidance you can offer,
Cheers,
Simon

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I have seen kids, hopeful for a career at sea, fall at the first medical hurdle only after they had spent thousands on courses, travel etc.
Before you spend any more money, get your eyes checked for colour blindness (anywhere!) and check the documentation available online for other excluded conditions (e.g.epilepsy, diabetes, and so on).

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Ah, that’s a very valuable caveat to include in this thread for the benefit of anyone who might look at this later!

It’s always hard to know how much random personal crap to include as background in these postings. For myself, I’m a commercially rated pilot (FAA, not UK authorities) and hold a second class medical in support of that, so I know I’m not color blind, I also know that I have to have a hernia fixed (FAA doesn’t care about long-term stuff so much as acute situations!). More importantly if I’m not able to get a commercial certification for any reason, I’ll still want the training (including STCW) “for fun and personal improvement”. I love to sail, and I love to do the things I do as well as I can.

That said, having to be referred to a surgeon, or having to go back for a second try would be stupidly expensive and that’s what would be a waste from my perspective.

Thanks for making the point all the same, 99.9% of the time that would have been really valuable advice :slight_smile:

1 Like
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Thanks for that response, and your understanding. In view of your background, happy that you accept it wasn’t “a foolish answer”.

I don’t know what the accepted med certs are for RYA DaySkip (I did mine in 1973), but whereas my recent MCA revalidation (at 65yo!) requires ENG1 as usual, I have used RMI M105M in between (when not in Europe) and other "white-list’ authorities.
Not sure what ML5 covers…

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I did discover that any USCG medical is worthless for any RYA or MCA operation. So there’s that, at least. But yeah, the difference between ENG1 and ML5 is currently entirely opaque to me too!

What is “RMI M105M”?