UK MCA issues Marine Guidance Note on Part 8 of the MLC min requirements regulations
The UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) has issued Merchant Shipping Notice to provide information on the requirements of Part 8 of the ”MLC Minimum Requirements Regulations” which has been made to give effect to Regulation 3.2 and Standard A3.2 of the ILO Maritime Labour Convention, 2006.
Specifically, this notice sets out the minimum training requirements for all Ship’s Cooks and catering staff. The new training requirements give consideration to the religous requirements and religious practices as they pertain to food and the duration and nature of the voyage. Ship’s Cooks may qualify from the age of 18. Minimum sea time has been reduced from five years to one month at sea. The requirement to carry a ship’s cook applies only to ships operating beyond 60 miles from a safe haven and on ships operating with more than 10 seafarers on board.
Part 8 of the MLC Minimun Requirements Regulations needs to be read together with this Merchant Shipping Notice as this Notice sets out the requirements referred to in the Regulations, the breach of which is a criminal offence.Those requirements are:
- the training requirements for a ship’s cook
- the certificates accepted as equivalents by the Secretary of State
- the training requirements for other catering staff and
- the conditions under which exemption from the requirement to carry a ship’s cook can be issued
Certain regulations in the MLC Minimun Requirements Regulations refer to this Notice.
Further details may be found by reading MSN 1846 issued by UK MCA.
