What certificates do you need when you want to work as an MMO (Marine Mammal Observer)?

Virginie Wyss
Aug 22
3 min read

Updated: Sep 1

1. Do a Marine Mammal Observer course recognised by JNCC

Why?

This is the foundation for working as an observer.
Recognized internationally (UK, Africa, Asia, and sometimes Latin America).
Duration: 2 days (in-person or online).
Includes: biological basics, species identification, observation protocols, JNCC reporting.
Requirement: almost essential to be accepted on offshore projects.

I did mine with Carolyn Barton in Inverness and it was good. Other companies are proposing it like Seiche, Accobams, or online.

2. ACCOBAMS MMO/PAM (Mediterranean & Black Sea)

Why?

Mandatory for working on seismic and windfarm projects in the ACCOBAMS area.
Recognized by signatory countries (France, Spain, Italy, Greece, etc.).
Duration: around 1 week.
Includes: visual observation, regional regulations, use of PAMGUARD (acoustic monitoring software).
Requirement: necessary to work legally in the Mediterranean/Black Sea.

I did mine with Patrick Lyne and Aylin from DMAD in the Azores in 2025, I believe there might be other course on the ACCOBAMS website.

3. PSO (Protected Species Observer – BOEM/NOAA, USA)

Why?

Specific to the Gulf of Mexico and certain U.S. waters.
Mandatory for missions regulated by BOEM (Bureau of Ocean Energy Management).
Duration: ½ to 1 day (often online).
Includes: U.S. protocols, exclusion zones (e.g., North Atlantic right whale, manatees).
Requirement: essential if you work in U.S. waters.

In my case, I did it with the JNCC and Carolyn Barton.

4. STCW Basic Safety Training (BST / CFBS in France)

Why?

Basic maritime safety training, required on many vessels.
Provides essential onboard safety skills (first aid, sea survival, firefighting).
Duration: 5 to 10 days.
Requirement: not always mandatory for MMO roles, but strongly recommended to legally board vessels >24 m.

5. Optional Offshore Certificates (sometimes requested more often than STCW)

BOSIET (includes HUET & CA-EBS) – mostly for offshore oil & gas projects (with helicopter transfers). Duration: 3 days, valid for 4 years.

Personnaly, every time I am doing a contract, clients will ask me for my BOSIET (it is called FOET after 4 years, it is the refreshed version of the BOSIET and takes 2-3 days).

GWO Sea Survival – for offshore wind projects. Useful when embarking directly from a windfarm. Less relevant if you don’t work at heights. Some companies increasingly request it, but for independent contractors working mainly on deck, it doesn’t make much sense and represents a significant cost to renew every 2 years. I have never done it and I am against it.
ENG1 (UK Medical Certificate) / French Maritime Medical Certificate – always required to board (proof of maritime medical fitness).

In some Countries it can be very expensive, I tend to look for Opito approved and go abroad to pass it every two years.

6. Seaman’s Book

The Seaman’s Book does not certify a skill, but a legal status.

For a Marine Mammal Observer, it is:

Often mandatory for international missions.
Useful for easier embarkation and customs clearance.
An indispensable complement to your medical certificate and MMO/ACCOBAMS/PSO training.

It can be obtained through Panama or Belize if your home country does not officially recognize MMO status. Personally, I obtained mine via a French agency that delivered a Panamanian seafarer’s passport.

📋 In summary

For a complete and internationally recognized MMO / PAM Operator profile, you should have:

JNCC MMO (basic, globally recognized).
ACCOBAMS if working in the Mediterranean.
PSO (BOEM) if working in U.S. waters.
STCW Basic Safety Training (highly recommended for boarding vessels).
Depending on missions: BOSIET/HUET (oil & gas, some wind projects) or GWO Sea Survival (wind energy).
Maritime Medical Certificate (mandatory everywhere).
Seaman’s Book (increasingly requested worldwide).

It is not a certificate, but being freelance is often mandatory, because the companies will pay you by day and won't bother paying insurance or extra taxes for you particularly if you are not from the country you will be working for.

Conclusion:

It is an investment to do at the beginning of your carrier, but if you have experience at sea and with marine mammals you have good chance to get a contract to work offshore.