Mariner Credentialing Program Policy Division

CG-CVC-4

Mr. David Van NevelOffice of Maritime and International Law

Mariner Credentialing Program (MCP) Policy Division (CG-CVC4)

Office of Maritime and International

LawCG-0941

Current MCP Initiatives/Projects• Merchant Mariner Medical Advisory Committee• Implementing Section 809 of the Coast Guard

Authorization Act of 2010 – TWIC• 2010 Manila Amendments to STCW• 37 NVIC Projects, including new and revision

•Appeals

2010 Manila Amendments to STCW

• Update standards of competence required for emerging technology;

• Introduce new training and certification requirements and methodologies;

• Improve mechanisms for enforcement of the Convention’s provisions; and,

• Detail requirements on hours of work/rest, prevention of drug/alcohol abuse, and medical fitness

2010 Amendments

• Hours of Rest• Security

– Security Awareness– Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties– VSO

• Able Seafarer– Deck– Engine

•Emphasis on tech. advances in navigation•Celestial navigation •ECDIS training–Tables A-II/1, A-II/2 and A-II/3

•Visual signaling – Reduced requirements -single letters/SOS

•Environmental awareness – Operational•BRM training - Operational level •Leadership and managerial skills –management level

•New regulation II/5 – Able Seafarer deck

Chapter II

• Competence-based training Removal of the 30 mos. of trainingWatchkeeping provisions

• Harmonization of sea service requirements • Harmonization of near coastal provisionsRetained existing kW propulsion power threshold

• Engine room resource management

CHAPTER IIIAMENDMENTS

• Marine environment awareness – operational level• Leadership and managerial skills – management level • New regulation III/5 – Able Seafarer engine• Use of simulator training to assess boiler competence for ratings

• Training for electro-technical officers and ratingsTwo levels – one at the support level and one at

the operational level

CHAPTER III (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Requirements for tankers3 sets of requirements – oil, chemical and

liquefied gasBasic training Advanced training

• Consolidation of requirements for passenger ships

CHAPTER VAMENDMENTS

–Training guidance for offshore supply vessels

–Training guidance for dynamic positioning system

–Training guidance for ships operating in ice-covered waters

CHAPTER V (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Proof of continued professional competence every five yearsAssessment of competence “ASHORE” for areas

that cannot be trained on board Regulation VI/1 - Basic safety trainingRegulation VI/2 –Survival craft, rescue boats,

and fast rescue boatsRegulation VI/3 – Advanced fire-fighting

In service experience, drills and onboard training for other areas

Chapter VIAMENDMENTS

• Basic safety training – social responsibility to include:Environmental pollution awareness training Fatigue awareness

• Security training – Non-VSO personnel on board shipsPersonnel without security dutiesPersonnel with security dutiesTraining to include general anti-piracy related

information

CHAPTER VI (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Able seafarer deck and engine–Alternative certifications–Combined deck and engine experience

Chapter VIIAMENDMENTS

• Fitness for duty Harmonization of STCW Convention with the ILO Maritime Labor

Convention 2006

Extends applicability to watchstanding personnel, and persons with safety, security and environmental protection responsibilitiesHours of rest requirements – 10 hrs in a 24 hr period,

77 hrs per weekRecords of hours of restAlcohol limits

Flexibility for emergency or overriding operational conditions:

Chapter VIII

• Watchkeeping arrangements and principles Mandatory use of Bridge and Engine Room Resource Management

principles Use of ECDIS

Chapter VIII (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/3 – Near Coastal VoyagesMandatory agreements

• Regulation I/6 – Training and AssessmentGuidance on distance learning and e-learningProvided by a maritime Education and

Training establishmentAllows shipping companies and/or other

companies to provide training

Chapter IAMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/9 – Medical standards Establishes issuance of a medical certificate Establishes minimum information to be included in the medical

certificate Mandatory eye-sight standards

Combined vision standards for engineers Criteria for physical and medical fitness Validity Period - 2 year - medical certificate; 1 year – medical

certificate for persons under 18 yrs of age

CHAPTER I (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/9 – Medical standards (cont.) Transitional measures in case medical certificate expires during the

voyage Flexibilities when establishing medical fitness standards in Part A,

may differentiate between:

those persons seeking to start a career at sea and those seafarers already serving at seadifferent functions on board, bearing in mind the

different duties of seafarers Means for the recognition of medical practitioners

CHAPTER I (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/9 – Medical standards (cont.)Qualifications of medical practitionersRegister of medical practitionersGuidance on the conduct of medical fitness

examinationsProcedures for appealsMinimum entry level and in-service physical

abilities for seafarer placed in Part B as guidance

CHAPTER I (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/11 – Revalidation of Certificates Revalidation may be established with 3 mos. of service in the

preceding 6 mos. Continued professional competence for tankers through service or by

completing approved training

• Regulation I/14 – Responsibilities of Companies Requirement to ensure that seafarers receive refresher and updating

training Requirement for effective communication on board

CHAPTER I (cont.)AMENDMENTS

• Regulation I/15 – Transitional provisions Entry into force – January 1, 2012 Will vary depending on the date the person entered the training

institution or started service 1 January 2017 – Transitional date for existing mariners who

commenced training/sea service prior to 1 July 2013. 1 January 2017 – Revalidate/renew certificates for existing mariners Grandfather provisions – compare previous requirements with new

requirements

CHAPTER I (cont.)AMENDMENTS

New Policy Letters

• Hours of Rest – STCW. Policy Letter 12-05

• Issuance and Training for security endorsements. Policy Letter 12-06

• Issuance of STCW endorsements & approval of training to meet STCW. Policy Letter 12-07

Hours of Rest – STCWCG-CVC Policy Letter 12-05

• STCW not self-implementing– Requires domestic regulations– Subject to Port State Control

• Revises G-MOC Policy Letter 4-00, REV 1• All vessels subject to STCW

– Operate beyond boundary line– Unless exempt.

Applies to• OICNW • OICEW• All personnel with designated

– Safety (SMS or watch/station bill)– Prevention of pollution (PRP or SMS)– Security duties (VSP)

• Watchstanding personnel in accordance with COI

Rest defined

• Rest means a period of time during which the person concerned is off duty and not performing work– Work includes administrative tasks such as chart

correction or preparation of port entry documents– Allowed to sleep without being interrupted.

• Neutral time is not necessarily rest– (See G-MOC policy Letter 4-00)

STCW Required Rest

• Minimum of 10 hours in any 24 hour period– May be divided into no more than two periods and

one must be at least 6 hours.– Interval between rest periods no more than 14 hrs

• 77 Hours of rest in any 7-day period.• Master must post watch schedules where

easily accessible.

Authorized Exceptions

• Emergency or drill or other overriding operational condition

• May reduce 10 hours to 6 hours– May not extend more than 2 days– May not result in less than 70 hours rest in 7-day

period.

Model Format for Records

Model Format for Records

Designated Security DutiesSecurity Awareness

CG-CVC Policy Letter 12-06

• Vessels subject to STCW– 500 GT or more – Operate beyond boundary line– Unless exempt.

• Alternative—International Ship and Port Facility vice STCW VI/6– Until January 1, 2014

Tiered Approach

• Security Awareness – 33 CFR 104.225 meets STCW A-VI/6.1-4

• Personnel with Designated Security Duties– 33 CFR 104.220 meets STCW A-VI/6.6-8.

• Vessel Security Officer– 46 CFR 11.811 references 33 CFR 104.215– 46 CFR 10.215(d)(1)-(2) (typo in regulation).

Security Awareness

• Each person on board (except passengers) should be able to:– Report a security incident, including piracy;– Know procedures to follow when they recognize

threat; and– Take part in security-related emergency and

contingency procedures• Ideally VSO should give this training.

Security Awareness

• CG will issue endorsement if documentary evidence of meeting 33 CFR 104.225; OR

• If sea service commenced prior to Jan 1, 2012– 6 months seagoing service in previous 3 years; or– Coast Guard accepted or approved training course

Security Awareness33 CFR 104.225

• Relevant provisions of the Vessel Security Plan (VSP);

• Meaning and requirements of Maritime Security (MARSEC) Levels,

• Recognition and detection of dangerous substances and devices;

• Recognition of characteristics and behavioral patterns of persons who are likely to threaten security; and

• Techniques used to circumvent security measures.

• Relevant aspects of the TWIC program and how to carry them out.

VPDSD

• CG will issue endorsement if documentary evidence of meeting 33 CFR 104.220; OR

• If sea service commenced prior to Jan 1, 2012– 6 months seagoing service with seagoing security

duties in previous 3 years (VSP duties and others);– Security functions equivalent in scope to shipboard

duties for 6 months in past 3 years; or– Coast Guard accepted or approved training course

VPDSD33 CFR 104.220

• Current threats• Dangerous substances and

devices• Characteristics and

behavioral patterns of persons likely a security threat

• Techniques to circumvent• Crowd management/control• Security Communications

• Emergency procedures and plans

• Operation of security equipment

• Vessel Security Plan• Methods of physical

screening• MARSEC Levels• TWIC

Vessel Security Officer

• May perform other duties • For manned vessels, VSO must be Master or

member of the crew. • VSO may assign duties to other personnel;

however, the VSO remains responsible. • VSO must maintain a TWIC.

VSO General Knowledge

• 33 CFR § 104.210 (b)(1) and (b)(2) • Vessel layout; • The VSP and related procedures, including

scenario-based response training; • Crowd management and control techniques; • Operations of security equipment and systems; • TWIC

Company/ Vessel Operators

• Ensure all on board (except passengers) get Security Awareness—STCW A-VI/6.1-4.

• May sail on valid course completion certificate• Ensure VPDSD have endorsement• Ensure VSO designated in writing and has

endorsement

Mariners should:

• Form 719B—no fee– Obtain a security-awareness endorsement if

working under STCW Endorsment.– Obtain VPDSD endorsement if assigned security

duties.• If you wish to extend expiration date must

meet 46 CFR 10.227.

Guidance on Issuance of Endorsements to Meet STCW

Policy Letter 12-07

• Able Seafarer-Deck (AS-D)• Able Seafarer-Engine (AS-E)• Tank Vessels• ECDIS—Jan 1, 2017• Approval of courses

Approval of Courses• Able Seafarer-Deck• Able Seafarer-Engine• Leadership and Teamworking Skills• Leadership and Managerial Skills• Basic Training Renewal• Proficiency in Survival Craft Renewal• Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats Renewal• Advanced Fire Fighting Renewal• Engine Room Resource Management• ECDIS

Able Seafarer-Deck• Qualified if served as AB or RFPNW for 12

months in the preceding 60 months; OR• Hold endorsement as AB-any waters unlimited

or AB-Limited and also hold or qualify for:– RFPNW (without restriction to lookout) AND– Proficiency in survival craft, PSC-limited and

rescue boats other than fast rescue boats.

Able Seafarer-Deck• Holders of other AB endorsements

• Only assessments are those for RFPNW

Domestic AB Endorsement Sea Service for AS-DA B-any waters, Unlimited NoneAB-Limited NoneAB-Special 6 months/3 with app trainingAB-Special (OSV) 12 months/6 with app trainingAB-Sail 12 months/6 with app trainingAB-Fishing Industry 12 months/6 with app training

Able Seafarer-Engine

• Qualified if served as QMED or RFPEW for 12 months in the preceding 60 months; OR

• Hold endorsement as QMED-engineman or QMED-deck engine mechanic and also hold or qualify for RFPEW

Able Seafarer-Engine• Engineman and Deck Engine Mechanic--no

additional service• 6 months service (3 as part of approved

training program)

• Only assessments are those for RFPEW

Oiler Refrigerating Engineer

Fireman/Watertender PumpmanJunior Engineer MachinistElectrician

Contact Information• Questions concerning particular individuals

– Contact NMC• 1 888-I-ASK-NMC• 1-888-427-5662

– Any Regional Examination Center– www.uscg.mil/nmc

• Policy Questions– CG-CVC-4 at 202-372-2357– MMCPolicy@uscg.mil