Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) announced further steps to allow holders of National Law certificates of competency and first aid certificates to continue to perform their duties even if their certificate expires during the period between 26 March 2020 and 31 January 2021.
During this time of uncertainty, AMSA has issued Exemption 42 Marine Safety (Extension of time – certificates of competency) Exemption 2020 (No. 2) and Exemption 43 Marine Safety (Extension of time – first aid and crewing) Exemption 2020 (No. 2).
These exemptions effectively enable the holder of a National Law certificate of competency, endorsement or first aid certificate, that expired between 26 March 2020 and 31 July 2020, to continue performing duties for a period of 12 months from the expiry date noted on the certificate.
In addition, these exemptions enable the holder of a National Law certificate of competency, endorsement, or first aid certificate that expires between 1 August 2020 and 31 January 2021, to continue to perform duties until 31 July 2021, while also permitting shipowners to crew their vessels with individuals who are subject to these exemptions.
There is no requirement for a vessel owner, operator or seafarer to make application to AMSA for the above measures to apply. These arrangements apply to certificates of competency issued by the National Regulator, including those issued by AMSA or a state/territory based maritime safety agency that was a delegate of the National Regulator when the certificate was issued. The arrangements also apply to first aid certificates.
Individuals must continue to comply with any conditions that applied to their expired certificates during the exemption period.
See also: AMSA receives MLC complaints on maximum period of seafarers service