The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification and Minimum Standards of Safety Communications) (Amendment) Regulations 2006

Amendment to the Training and Certification Regulations

3.  For regulation 5 of the Training and Certification Regulations there is substituted—

“Recognition of certificates issued by EEA States

5.— (1) The Secretary of State may—

(a) recognise a certificate as to competency issued by or on the authority of a European Economic Area State which is a Party to the STCW Convention, to a master, officer or radio operator; and

(b) subject to paragraph (2), on the application of a holder of a certificate described in sub-paragraph (a), issue a certificate of equivalent competency attesting to its recognition.

(2) Subject to paragraphs (3) and (4) the Secretary of State may specify additional standards of competence to be attained, and the means by which such competence may be demonstrated, for the issue of a certificate of equivalent competency pursuant to paragraph (1).

(3) The additional standards of competence referred to in paragraph (2) which are to be attained before a certificate of equivalent competency is issued shall be limited to—

(a) the applicant’s standard of English; and

(b) his knowledge of United Kingdom maritime legislation and administrative procedures.

(4) An applicant may, instead of demonstrating knowledge of United Kingdom of maritime legislation and administrative procedures, choose to undergo an adaptation period, the duration of which shall be specified by the Secretary of State (but which shall not exceed 3 years).

(5) If an applicant chooses to undergo an adaptation period in accordance with paragraph (4) the Secretary of State shall, for the duration of that period, issue him with a certificate of equivalent competency of such next lower grade as does not require a knowledge of UK maritime legislation and administrative procedures.”.