AMSA informs that Certificates of Proficiency as Rating (Able Seaman, Deck Rating and Engine Room Rating) and Certificates of Safety Training issued in perpetuity (i.e. no expiry date) will expire after 31 December 2016 in accordance with the STCW Convention as amended. This means that the holders of such certificates will not be able to work from 1 January 2017 unless they have revalidated that certificate.
The amended STCW Convention requires ALL seafarers holding an STCW certificate (excluding GMDSS Radio Operators Certificate) to demonstrate continued competence (by undertaking refresher training every five years) in:
- sea survival; and
- firefighting.
In addition to continued competence training in sea survival and firefighting ALL seafarers must also complete Security Awareness Training (STCW Reg. VI/6(1)) once in their career.
All of this training must have been completed to revalidate either a Certificate of Proficiency as Rating or a Certificate of Safety Training.
In addition, there is also a continued competence requirement for holders of Certificates of Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats.
For Australian seafarers these requirements are implemented in Marine Order 70 (Seafarer certification) 2014, Marine Order 71 (Masters and deck officers) 2014, Marine Order 72 (Engineer officers) 2014 and Marine Order 73 (Ratings) 2014.
Details of how to revalidate perpetual Certificates of Proficiency as Rating and Certificates of Safety Training are on the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) website in Fact Sheet STCW 59, Revalidation of Perpetual Certificates of Proficiency as Rating and Certificates of Safety Training
AMSA recommends that seafarers who hold a perpetual Certificate of Proficiency as Rating or a Certificate of Safety Training not leave completion of the mandatory training to the end of this year.
A high demand for the courses at that time may result in limited availability. In addition AMSA anticipates high volumes of applications being received by AMSA. This may result in delays in processing times and certificates being unable to be issued in advance of their expiry.
Source: AMSA