The Liberian Maritime Authority clarifies issues about STCW regulations regarding the availability of original certificates on board ships. According to regulation I/2, a Convention certificate must be kept available in its original form on board the ship on which the holder is serving.
As a reminder to seafaerers, LISCR has included a reference to regulation I/2 and the specific paragraph related to the availability of original certificates, at the bottom of each Certificate of Competency and Special Qualification Certificate.
The number of the applicable paragraph in regulation I/2 was revised from paragraph “9” to paragraph “11”, as part of the 2010 Manila amendments, LISCR informs.
It has been noted that there is a discrepancy in Certificates of Competency issued between May 10, 2012 and August 29th 2013 and Special Qualification Certificates issued between May 10, 2012 and June 22, 2016. The reference in these certificates is to regulation I/2, paragraph “9”. Liberian Certificates of Competency issued after August 29, 2013 and Special Qualification Certificates issued after June 23, 2016 contain the correct reference to I/2, paragraph 11.
The Liberian Administration says it is aware of this discrepancy and is ensuring the reference is corrected during the normal certificate renewal, replacement process. Since the reference to I/2 on availability of original certificates, only serves as a reminder for the certificate holder and the text of the current and previous paragraph is identical, the Liberian Administration considers that, until it is renewed or reissued, certificates with reference to I/2, paragraph 9 shall be read as meeting I/2, paragraph 11.
“Any certificate required by the Convention must be kept available in its original form on board the ship on which the holder is serving”.
