USCG’s National Maritime Centre issued a bulletin with updated information on Qualified Assessor requirements, informing that the assessments of competence about STCW endorsements should be signed by a USCG approved QA.
Specifically, the 2010 amendments to the STCW Convention took place on January 1, 2017, included into the final rule titled “Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements”.
This bulletin concerns the requirements for Qualified Assessos (QA).
Specifically, it is reported that assessments of competence about STCW endorsements have to be signed by a Coast Guard approved QA according to 6 CFR 11.301(a)(1)(i) and 12.601(b)(1)(i).
Additionally, QAs must be approved by the Coast Guard either individually or as part of a Coast Guard-approved or accepted course or training program.
[smlsubform prepend=”GET THE SAFETY4SEA IN YOUR INBOX!” showname=false emailtxt=”” emailholder=”Enter your email address” showsubmit=true submittxt=”Submit” jsthanks=false thankyou=”Thank you for subscribing to our mailing list”]
The current policy enables for the acceptance of STCW assessments, performed for and signed by an assessor not approved by the Coast Guard, until Dec. 31, 2019. Thus, the assessor should be in line with the professional requirements in 46 CFR 10.405(a)(3) to determine competence for the specific endorsement.
USCG is aware that due to the limited number of approved QAs, the situation might be challenging for mariners trying to complete STCW assessments after December 31, 2019. Consequently, the Coast Guard will continue to allow STCW assessments to be signed by an assessor who meets the requirements specified in NVIC 19-14 until Dec. 31, 2021. Yet, this assessment should be issued to the Coast Guard as part of a complete application no later than June 30, 2022. Qualified military personnel need not be approved QAs and may continue to sign assessments after Dec. 31, 2021.
