The Department of Merchant Shipping has announced a new policy on security awareness training or security training for seafarers with designated security duties under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (as amended).
In accordance with Regulation VI/6 of the convention, seafarers holding a valid ship security officer certificate of proficiency issued in accordance with Regulation VI/5 are not required to undergo training in accordance with Regulation VI/6.
The department will accept certificates of proficiency issued in accordance with Regulation VI/6 by or on behalf of a country confirmed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Maritime Safety Committee to have communicated information which demonstrates that full and complete effect has been given to the relevant provisions of the convention (ie, the IMO 'white list').
No Cyprus endorsement certificate is required to validate certificates of proficiency issued by other countries in accordance with Regulations VI/5 and VI/6 of the convention (eg, ship security officer certificates, security awareness training certificates and security training for seafarers with designated security duties certificates).
Seafarers who began their sea service onboard Cyprus-flagged vessels before December 9 2013 and do not hold certificates of proficiency for security awareness training or security training for seafarers with designated security duties issued in accordance with Regulation VI/6 of the convention are exempt from the regulation and can remain on board until the end of their contracts, provided that this is not later than December 9 2014.
Seafarers with approved seagoing service as shipboard personnel for a period of at least six months in total during the three years ending December 31 2011 were required to apply to the department before January 1 2014 for a certificate of proficiency for security awareness training or security training for seafarers with designated security duties in accordance with Regulation VI/6 of the convention.
Originally published by International Law Office.
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