The US National Maritime Center (NMC) posted a notice, providing guidance and updates regarding International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (or STCW), training requirements under the IGF Code and Polar Code.
The International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low Flash-point Fuels(IGF Code) includes training requirements for certain personnel engaged on ships using gases or other low flash-point fuels. The IGF Code and the supporting amendments to the STCW Convention and Code entered into force on January 1, 2017.
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) entered into force January 1, 2017, as well. The Polar Code includes training requirements for deck officers engaged on ships operating in polar waters. Supporting amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted in June 2016, and will enter into force on July 1, 2018.
The NMC is currently evaluating courses and issuing letters attesting to the conformance of the course content with the training guidance in the policy letters.
The letters of conformance will be reissued to reflect IMO’s adoption of the STCW amendments. The updated language will be effective retroactively to the date of the original letter.
“Regulations may be published in the future to implement the IGF and Polar Code training requirements. Until then, the policy letters will remain in force and provide the applicable guidance regarding compliance with the STCW amendments. At this time the NMC will not be issuing endorsements to mariners completing the requirements contained in the policy letters,” the US Coast Guard informed.
You can see the notice issued by NMC by clicking the PDF below
