Following the announcement of the obligation for an OSRO certificate when conducting bunkering operations at Zona Comun, off La Plata, the Argentine Coast Guard has now shared further clarifications on the matter.
Amid COVID-19 outbreak and the disruptions that has brought within shipping industry, the Maritime Safety Authority of Fiji (MSAF) announced that is extending the duration of two marine documents.
The 7th session of the IMO’s Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) took place virtually from 15 to 19 February, addressing challenges related to the issuance and maintenance of seafarer certificates during and after COVID-19 pandemic, and of the facilitation of seafarers’ electronic certificates and documents. DNV GL has provided a key outcome of the meeting.
The UK MCA informed of the change to the format of STCW Certificates of Competency and Flag State Endorsement / Certificates of Equivalent Competency, including sample images of the new certificates.
The American P&I Club is further extending the validity PEME certificates to January 15, 2021 for seafarers originating from Bulgaria, India, Indonesia, Latvia, Philippines, Poland, Romania, the Russian Federation and Ukraine.
Australian seafarers holding a valid STCW certificate of competency can now apply online for a Canadian endorsement, under a reciprocal agreement signed between the two countries, Transport Canada informed in a new safety bulletin.
Continuing its evaluation of the impact of COVID-19 to the maritime industry, the US Coast Guard issued the fifth update on extensions to merchant mariner credentials, medical certificates and course approvals.
The Maritime Authority of Jamaica signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Republic of Kenya to enable reciprocal recognition of STCW certificates for seafarers for their nationals.
Canada is introducing a new domestic marine medical certificate that will be valid for 5 years. This applies to seafarers working on Canadian-flagged vessels that operate solely in domestic waters.
The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has taken steps to allow the holders of seafarer certificates and certificates of medical fitness, to continue to perform duties even if the certificate expires during the period between 26 March 2020 and 31 January 2021.
