The Cayman Islands has adopted a pragmatic and practical approach with regard to the extension of seafarer certification in accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, and as detailed in this notice.
Concerning seafarers’ medical certificates:
- the ones that expired after 01 April 2020 will be accepted as valid for service on a Cayman Islands ship if its validity has been extended by the Administration on whose behalf the certificate was issued.
- the ones that had their validity extended in line with 2.1 will be accepted as valid up to the limit of the extension granted or until 31 December 2020, whichever occurs first.
- a Seafarer Medical Certificate that expires while the seafarer is serving on a ship, and which has not been extended in accordance with 2.1, will be accepted as valid for a period of 3 months after its expiry, or until the first port at which it is possible for the seafarer to make an application for a medical fitness certificate and be examined by a medical practitioner, whichever occurs first.
Seafarers’ certificates of proficiency and passenger ship training:
- Certificates of Proficiency issued in accordance with STCW VI/1 (Basic Training), VI/2.1 (Survival Craft and Rescue Boat), VI/2.2 (Fast Rescue Boat) and VI/3 (Advanced Firefighting) require compulsory refresher training to maintain their validity.
- The ones stated above that expired after 01 April 2020 will be accepted as valid for service on a Cayman Islands ship if its validity has been extended by the Administration on whose behalf the certificate was issued.
- Certificates of Proficiency which has had its validity extended in line with 3.2 will be accepted as valid up to the limit of the extension granted or until 31 December 2020, whichever occurs first.
- Certain seafarers serving on passenger ships are required to undergo refresher training every five years in the areas specified by STCW V/2.7, .8 and .9. Where the period since last training exceeds five years on or after 01 April 2020, the evidence of training held will remain valid for service on Cayman Islands passenger ships until 31 December 2020.
New Cayman Islands Endorsements:
Seafarers that aspire to obtain a Cayman Islands Endorsement in relation to a Certificate of Competency or Certificate of Proficiency not currently recognized by endorsement should apply for a Cayman Islands Endorsement in the usual manner.
To learn more about existent Cayman Islands Endorsements click herebelow
