The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022

Validity of Certificates

Validity of a certificate or endorsement

41.—(1) Subject to regulations 42 (revalidation of certain certificates and endorsements) and 43 (refresher training for certain seafarers), a certificate issued under this Part, except for a certificate issued under regulation 26 (seafarers on a high speed craft), remains valid for seagoing service provided the holder complies with the standards and conditions—

(a) as to medical fitness prescribed by the Medical Certification Regulations; and

(b) of professional competency to act in the appropriate capacity required by the STCW Convention and this Part.

(2) Subject to regulation 42, a certificate issued under regulation 26 remains valid for seagoing service provided the holder complies with the standards and conditions—

(a) as to medical fitness prescribed by the Medical Certification Regulations; and

(b) of professional competency required by paragraph 18.3.3 of the High Speed Craft Code and this Part.

(3) Subject to regulation 42, an endorsement under regulation 34 (endorsements on a certificate of competency) remains valid for seagoing service provided that the conditions specified in paragraph (4) are met.

(4) The conditions referred to in paragraph (3) are that—

(a) the certificate which is endorsed has not expired or been withdrawn, suspended or cancelled; and

(b) the holder complies with the standards and conditions—

(i) as to medical fitness prescribed by the Medical Certification Regulations; and

(ii) of professional competency to act in the appropriate capacity required by the STCW Convention and this Part.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation, “the Medical Certification Regulations” means the Merchant Shipping (Maritime Labour Convention) (Medical Certification) Regulations 2010(1).

Revalidation of certain certificates and endorsements

42.—(1) This regulation applies to—

(a) a certificate of competency;

(b) a certificate of equivalent competency;

(c) a certificate of proficiency in training for tanker operations issued to a master or an officer;

(d) an endorsement under regulation 34 (endorsements on a certificate of competency); and

(e) a certificate issued under regulation 26 (seafarers on a high speed craft).

(2) A certificate or endorsement referred to in paragraph (1)(a) to (d) is not valid for seagoing service unless, at intervals not exceeding five years, it is revalidated by the Secretary of State.

(3) The certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(e) is not valid for seagoing service unless, at intervals not exceeding two years, it is revalidated by the Secretary of State.

(4) Before revalidating a certificate or endorsement to which paragraph (1)(a) to (d) applies, the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the holder of the certificate has established continued professional competence in accordance with section A-I/11 of the STCW Code (revalidation of certificates) and Merchant Shipping Notice 1861 (M) Amendment 1(2).

(5) Before revalidating the certificate referred to in paragraph (1)(e), the Secretary of State must be satisfied that the holder of the certificate has established continued professional competence in accordance with the requirements of paragraph 18.3.3 of the High Speed Craft Code and Merchant Shipping Notice 1740 (M).

(6) An application for revalidation must be—

(a) made in a form specified by the Secretary of State;

(b) accompanied by the prescribed fee; and

(c) accompanied by evidence of identity, age, relevant service, standards of competence and certificates or qualifications held.

Refresher training for certain seafarers

43.—(1) Paragraph (2) applies to a seafarer who holds a certificate of proficiency in the following—

(a) personal survival techniques;

(b) survival craft and rescue boats;

(c) advanced firefighting;

(d) fire prevention and firefighting;

(e) fast rescue boats;

(f) basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code issued under regulation 15 (training requirements for seafarers on a ship subject to the IGF Code – basic training); and

(g) advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code issued under regulation 16 (training requirements for seafarers on a ship subject to the IGF Code – advanced training).

(2) A seafarer to whom this paragraph applies must at intervals not exceeding five years, successfully complete approved refresher training relating to the certificate held.

(3) A master and a seafarer designated to take charge of medical care on board ship must at intervals not exceeding five years successfully complete approved refresher training relating to that designation.

(4) Every seafarer must, for continuing seagoing service on ships referred to in regulations 25 (seafarers on a passenger ship engaged on international voyages (other than high speed craft)) and 26 (seafarers on a high speed craft), successfully complete approved refresher training relating to the training and qualifications required under those sections at intervals not exceeding five years.

(1)

S.I. 2010/737, amended by S.I. 2014/1614 and S.I. 2018/242.

(2)

Merchant Shipping Notice 1861 (M) Amendment 1 can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/draft-marine-notices-to-accompany-the-proposed-merchant-shipping-standards-of-training-certification-and-watchkeeping-regulations-2022 and in hard copy from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency of Spring Place, 105 Commercial Road, Southampton SO15 1EG (telephone [phone] and email [e-mail]) and on https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/maritime-and-coastguard-agency.