The republic of Marshall Islands issued a Safety Advisory, setting out the certification requirements for seafarers operating on ships in Polar regions after 01 January 2017.
Training of officers
- As of 01 July 2018, Masters, Chief Mates, and Officers in Charge of a Navigational Watch (OICNW) onboard ships operating in polar waters must be qualified in accordance with STCW Convention Regulation V/4 and meet the standard of competence for training found in the STCW Code Section A-V/4 and Tables A-V/4-1 and A-V/4-2 for the ships and ice conditions describe in part I-A of Chapter 12 of the Polar Code.
- There is guidance contained in the STCW Code in Section B-V/g that should be considered for the ‘transition period’ from 01 January 2017 to 01 July 2018.
- Every crew member must be familiarized with the procedures and equipment contained or referenced in the PWOM that are relevant to their assigned duties.
Requirements for qualification
Evidence for qualifications in polar water navigation during the transition period must be provided in accordance with the STCW Convention Regulation V/4, paragraphs 6 and 7 as follows:
- Until 01 JUL 2020, officers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar waters prior to 1 July 2018 shall provide evidence of their
qualifications for basic training for ships operating in polar waters by submitting the following requirements:
- Completion of at least three months of approved sea service on board ships operating in polar waters during the preceding 5 years; or
- Three months of equivalent approved seagoing service during the preceding 5 years; or
- Successful completion of a training course that meets the requirements in the STCW Code Section B-V/g.
2. Until 1 July 2020, seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar waters prior to 1 July 2018 shall provide evidence of their qualifications for advanced training for ships operating in polar waters by submitting the following requirements:
- Completion of at least three months of approved sea service in a management level on board ships operating in polar waters during the preceding 5 years; or
- Three months of equivalent approved seagoing service during the preceding 5 years; or
- Successful completion of a training course that meets the requirements in the STCW Code section B-V/g and have two months of sea service in the preceding 5 years that is required by either of the two above.
Evidence for qualifications in polar water navigation from 01 July 2018 onward must be provided in accordance with the guidance in the STCW Convention Regulation V/4, Section A-V/4, and Tables A-V/4-1 and A-V/4-2 as follows:
- Masters, Chief Mates, and OICNWs on watch on ships operating in polar waters shall hold a certificate in basic training for ships operating in polar waters that meets the standard of competence specified in Section A-V/4, paragraph 1 of the STCW Code;
- Masters and Chief Mates on ships operating shall hold a certificate in advanced training for ships operating in polar waters and have:
- the certificate required in 1 above; and
- at least 2 months of approved sea service in the deck department at the management level, or while performing watchstanding duties at the operational level within polar waters; or
- equivalent approved service; and
- completed approved advance training for ships operating in polar waters that meets the standard of competence specified in the STCW Code Section AV/4, paragraph 2.
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Certification
Masters, Chief Mates, and OICNWs who have been evaluated as qualified shall receive a notation on their Officer’s Certificate that qualifies them for Polar Water service. A separate certificate will not be issued.