Written by YRC on May 28, 2015. Posted in News

TO: OWNERS, OPERATORS, MANAGERS, MASTERS, OFFICERS OF MERCHANT SHIPS AND SEAFARER AGENTS

ISSUANCE DATE:             15^th May 2015                                 Revision No. (mm/dd/yy): N/A

MSN Superseded:                N/A

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The STCW Convention with the inclusion of the 2010 Manila Amendments now contains new criteria for all seafarers.  Under the new amendments, seafarers are required, every five years, to provide proof of having maintained the required standards of competence to undertake tasks, duties and responsibilities regarding emergency, occupational safety and survival functions.

1. INTRODUCTION

This Circular is intended to provide information regarding the adoption of new training requirements in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments.  It is now required that seafarers provide, every five years, evidence of having maintained  the required standards of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities regarding emergency, occupational and survival functions.

(Appendix 1)

A seafarer serving on board a vessel and who is qualified in any of the following must, as of 1^st January 2017 provide documentary evidence of either completing the training course or updating training within the last 5 years.

1. Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques (PST) STCW A-VI/1-1;
2. Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats (PSC&RB) STCW A-VI/2-1;
3. Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB) STCW A-VI/2-2;
4. Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fires Fighting (FP & FF) STCW A-VI/1-2
5. Proficiency in Advance Fire Fighting (AFF) STCW A-VI/3

These certificates must be issued by a Belize approved Maritime Training Centre.

2. UPDATED PROFICIENCY IN MEDICAL CARE (STCW A-VI/4-2)

The Master or any other person to whom he delegates the use of medical supplies must obtain a Proficiency in Medical Care Certificate issued within the preceding five years, from an approved maritime training centre.

3. REQUIREMENT TO UNDERTAKE UPDATE TRAINING

A seafarer is required to complete update training if they hold:

1. One of the above certificates as a stand-alone qualifications (e.g. an Able Seafarer Deck holding a Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats);
2. An STCW Certificate of Proficiency as a Navigation or Engine Room Watchkeeping Rating (Reg. II/4 and III/4);
3. An STCW Certificate of Proficiency as an Able Seafarer Deck (Reg. II/5), STCW Certificate of Proficiency as Able Seafarer Engine (Reg. III/5) or Electro Technical Rating (Reg. III/7);
4. Any Certificate of Competence for Deck Officer (Reg. II/1, II/2, II/3), Engineer Officer (Reg. III/1, III/2, III/3);
5. GMDSS Certificate and work as a Radio Operator (Reg. IV/2)

For a more detailed explanation please refer to Appendix 2

4. SAFETY COURSE CERTIFICATES ISSUED PRIOR TO THE MANILA AMENDMENT REQUIREMENTS

Certificates issued before the adoption of the Manila Amendments, while recognized by Belize, shall require updating as written above.

5. DISCLAIMER

Where this document provides guidance on the revalidation of Certificates of Competence, it should not be considered absolute.  The way this circular applies to any particular case can vary depending on circumstances.  Therefore you should seek guidance from this Administration if you are unsure of your position.

APPENDIX 1

CHANGES IN THE 2010 MANILA AMENDMENTS

Notes:

¹           Updating of the Proficiency in Medical Care is not currently required under the STCW Code. However, it is the decision of this Administration that all persons at the management level should receive training updated at least every five years.

Updating of the Proficiency in Medical First Aid is not currently required under the STCW Code; however, it is the Administration’s requirement that all officers (operation level) receive updating training every 5 years.

²           While update training is not required under the STCW Convention, it is the decision of this Administration that all Ship Security Officer Courses must be refreshed every five years.

APPENDIX 2

UPDATING TRAINING REQUIRED FOR A BELIZE CERTIFICATE OF COMPETENCE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE MANILA AMENDMENTS (CoC)

The following table demonstrate which update training is required for a Belize CoC held.  Certificates other than CoC are required to be updated if the specific duty which is performed by the seafarer relates to the training e.g. if you have Fast Rescue Boat duties on board a vessel you must keep your training updated.  The table below may not show all certificates issued.  Additional notes are available at this end of this Appendix

Notes:

¹           If you need to update your Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than Fast Rescue Boats training you must also complete the update course for Proficiency in Personal Survival Techniques.  The updating of PST is required whether or not it was a part of your original training.

²           If you need to update your Proficiency in Advance Fire Fighting you must also complete the update course for Proficiency in Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting.  The updating of FP and FF is required whether or not it was part of your original training.

³           Persons involved in the operation of fast rescue boats are required to complete PFRB in addition to the PSC & RB.

It is the decision of this Administration that all other training certificates not included in the above

Table should be refreshed every five years.