Regulation VII/1 Issue of alternative certificates
1.Notwithstanding the requirements for certification laid down in Chapters II and III of this Annex, Member States may elect to issue or authorise the issue of certificates other than those mentioned in the regulations of those chapters, provided that:
the associated functions and levels of responsibility to be stated on the certificates and in the endorsements are selected from and identical to those appearing in Sections A-II/1, A-II/2, A-II/3, A-II/4, A-II/5, A-III/1, A-III/2, A-III/3, A-III/4, A-III/5, and A-IV/2 of the STCW Code;
the candidates have completed approved education and training and meet the requirements for standards of competence, prescribed in the relevant sections of the STCW Code and as set forth in Section A-VII/1 of this Code, for the functions and levels that are to be stated on the certificates and in the endorsements;
the candidates have completed approved seagoing service appropriate to the performance of the functions and levels that are to be stated on the certificate. The minimum duration of seagoing service shall be equivalent to the duration of seagoing service prescribed in Chapters II and III of this Annex. However, the minimum duration of seagoing service shall be not less than as prescribed in Section A-VII/2 of the STCW Code;
the candidates for certification who are to perform the function of navigation at the operational level shall meet the applicable requirements of the regulations in Chapter IV, as appropriate, for performing designated radio duties in accordance with the Radio Regulations;
the certificates are issued in accordance with the requirements of Article 5 of this Directive and the provisions set forth in Chapter VII of the STCW Code.