UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (UK MCA) informs that the maritime trading fund is being extended by three months, to assist the seafarers continue their maritime training.
To better explain, the expiry date of this MIN has been extended to 14 October 2021. This MIN extends the UK Government’s additional financial support to assist cadets during the COVID-19 pandemic period by three months.
This three-month extension of SMarT COVID-19 funding can be claimed for cadets who are unable to complete their training and obtain their CoC within the allotted 150-week period because:
- A delay has occurred in taking an MCA oral exam or an MCA written exam because the exams were unavailable due to COVID-19;
- A delay has occurred in completing STCW safety courses as they were unavailable due to COVID-19;
- A delay has occurred in obtaining sea service due to the non-availability of ships.
A maximum of up to six months funding is available per cadet and for Graduate Engineers (fast trackers) where they have not been able to complete their training and obtain their CoC within the allotted 50-week SMarT funding period.
Funding will also be available for eligible cadets still going through the system during the next three years including those who have or who will enrol between April 2020 and March 2021; requests will be considered on a case by case basis.
