LISCR – Security Related Training for Seafarers

Liberian Registry Marine Operations Note 01/2013

The Liberian Registry (LISCR) has issued Marine Operations Note 01/2013 regarding the security related training for seafarers under STCW.

The purpose of the note is to provide the Liberian Administration’s policy regarding security-related trainingrequired in the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention (ref. STCW Section A/VI/6). The STCW security-relatedtraining requirements came into force on 1 January 2012. However, seafarers that commenced an approvedseagoing service prior to 1 January 2012 may be recognized as meeting the requirements, as provided in STCW.7/Circ.17 dated 24 May 2011and in this Note.

The provisions regarding security-related training contained in STCW Regulation VI/6, Section A-VI/6 andSection B-VI/6 cover the following:

1. Security related familiarization training,

2. Security awareness training, and

3. Proficiency in designated security duties

Security related familiarization training:

All persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship, that must comply with the ISPS Code,shall receive security familiarization training by the SSO or an equally qualified person, prior to beingassigned any shipboard duties.

The training should emphasize ship specific security issues:

• Reporting a security incident, including a piracy or armed robbery threat or attack;
• Procedures to follow when the seafarer recognizes a security threat; and
• Participation in exercises for security-related emergency and contingency procedures.

Certification is not required from the Administration. Evidence of this training shall be entered into theseafarer’s official training record or the ships training record/log.

Security awareness training:

Seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship, that must comply with the ISPS Code, shallcomplete security-awareness training meeting the competence standards given in table A-VI/6-4 of theSTCW Code. Seafarers should have a certificate of proficiency (COP) issued by a training provider approvedby the Administration, as evidence of satisfactory completion of the training.

The Liberian Administration may accept training courses approved by a maritime authority which is on theIMO STCW “white” list.

The Administration will make available a Special Qualification Certificate (SQC) for those seafarers whowish to apply for the Liberian certificate and who provide evidence of competence. The SQC will beavailable as an endorsement or a certificate depending on how the training was gained.

Seafarers with designated security duties:

All seafarers that are designated to perform security-related duties, including anti-piracy and anti-armedrobbery related activities, shall be appropriately trained and be competent to perform onboard security dutiesmeeting the competence standards given in table Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6-8. Seafarers should have aCOP issued by a training provider approved by the Administration, as evidence of satisfactory completion ofthe training.

Transitional provisions:

Seafarers requiring security awareness training, who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to 1January 2012, will be considered as meeting the requirements of Section A- VI/6-4 of the STCW Code,without undertaking further training by demonstrating:

• approved seagoing service for at least 6 months in the previous three years; or
• having performed security functions considered equivalent to 6 months service in the pastthree years, or
• by passing an approved test, or by completing approved training.

Seafarers with designated security duties who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to 1 January,2012, would be considered as meeting the requirements of Section A-VI/6-9 of the STCW Code, withoutundertaking further training, by demonstrating competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilitieslisted in column 1 of table A-VI/6-2 by:

• having approved seagoing service as shipboard personnel with designated security duties, fora period of at least 6 months in total during the preceding 3 years, or
• having performed security functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing servicerequired above, or
• passing an approved test, or
• completing approved training.

This transition period will end on 1 January 2014, and owners are reminded of the need to ensure that allseafarers who require this training acquire the appropriate documentary evidence of training before that date.

Although not mandatory, the Administration will make available a SQC for those seafarers who can provideevidence of competency and who wish to apply for the Liberian certificate. This will be available as anendorsement or a certificate, depending on how the training was gained.

The Administration will recognize a COP issued for security awareness training or for seafarers withdesignated security duties that have been issued by another Administration in accordance with the STCWConvention.