Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) published a paper on training and certification requirements for ships operating in Polar waters and for those ships which hold Polar Ship Certificate issued in accordance with the Polar Code.
During the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers that took place on 2016, mandatory minimum training and qualifications for masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters was decided.
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The amendments include a new Regulation in Chapter V in the annex to the STCW Convention and the corresponding section in the STCW Code. These amendments were established on 1 July 2018 with a transitional provisions until 1 July 2020, for seafarers who have commenced sea service in the polar waters prior to 1 July 2018.
According to the added regulation:
- Masters, chief mates and deck officers responsible for a navigational watch on vessels have to complete specific training and have a certificate issued in accordance with Regulation V/42 of the STCW Convention;
- Officers in charge of navigational watch should hold certificate of proficiency (COP) in basic training;
- Masters and chief mates should hold COP in advanced training as per regulation V/4 paragraph 3 of the STCW Convention;
- Marine Engineer Officers do not require such COP to serve on ships operating in polar waters;
- Those who hold a deck officer certificate of competency issued by MPA or recognised by it are to complete an approved training meeting the standards of competence specified in section A-V/4, paragraph 1 and table A-V/4-1 of the STCW code. Advanced training for ships operating in polar waters;
- Holders of deck officer certificate of competency at management level should have minimum two months of approved sea service performing watchkeeping duties on board a ship operating within the polar waters as defined in the Polar code and complete an approved advanced training for ships operating in polar waters meeting the standards of competence specified in section A-V/4 paragraph 2 and table A-V/4-2 of the STCW Code. Transitional Provisions
- Holders of deck officer certificates of competency, who have seagoing experience in polar waters prior to 1 July 2018 can qualify for COP in basic or advanced training as follows:
- Have completed at least three months sea service in total as a deck officer at operational or management level in polar waters or equivalent sea service. Equivalent sea service means service in waters that contain ice in concentration of 2/103 or more;
- Have attended appropriate training course(s) complying with IMO resolution A.1024.
- Seafarers who wish to apply COPs under the transitional provisions will have to provide documentary evidence of seagoing service in polar waters or equivalent sea service and attendance an appropriate training course to be considered for issuance of COP at basic or advanced training respectively for ships operating within Polar waters. The transitional provisions is valid until 1 July 2020.
