**Executive Summary**
This circular, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping on February 13, 2018, addresses the revalidation requirements for Certificates of Competency (CoCs) of Nautical Discipline under the STCW Convention. It clarifies that a mandatory revalidation course is not required for CoCs issued or upgraded under the STCW 2010 amendments. It also details alternative options for demonstrating continued professional competence.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Revalidation Course Requirement:**
* A mandatory revalidation course is **not** required for CoCs issued or upgraded under STCW 2010 amendments.
* The STCW Convention provides several options for revalidation of CoCs at Section A-1/11 of the STCW Code.
* **STCW 1995 CoCs:**
* Holders of CoCs issued under STCW 1995 amendments must undergo refresher and updating training as per Section 1/11 of TEAP Part A to upgrade to STCW 2010 requirements.
* Procedures for upgrading from 1995 to 2010 are detailed in Nautical Wing NT/EXAM. CIRCULAR NO. 01 of 2016 dated 15.01.2016 (File No. 3-NT(6/2015).
* **Continued Professional Competence Options (Section A-1/11 of the STCW Code):**
* **Sea-going Service:**
* At least one year of approved sea-going service performing appropriate functions within the preceding five years; or
* At least three months of approved sea-going service performing appropriate functions within the preceding six months prior to expiry of the certificate.
* **Equivalent Functions:**
* Performing functions equivalent to sea-going service (e.g., maritime surveyors, faculty, superintendents, port officers, etc.) for at least two years within the preceding five years.
* **Examination:**
* Passing an approved test or oral/E-examination for the grade of CoC concerned.
* **Training:**
* Successfully completing an approved training course or courses (e.g., Competency Course).
* **Supernumerary Service:**
* Completing approved sea-going service of at least three months in a supernumerary capacity, or in a lower officer rank immediately prior to taking up the rank for which the certificate is valid.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Candidates Holding Nautical Discipline CoCs**
* **Impact:** Clarification on the requirements for revalidation of CoCs, particularly regarding the absence of a mandatory revalidation course for those with CoCs issued or upgraded under STCW 2010.
* **Action Required:** Determine eligibility for revalidation through alternative methods as outlined in the document. Candidates who hold CoCs issued under STCW 1995 must undergo the necessary refresher training to upgrade.
Key Entities Referenced
STCW Convention: International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, addressing the standards for seafarers' training, certification and watchkeeping.
Directorate General of Shipping: The Indian government body responsible for maritime affairs, including seafarer certification.
Certificate of Competency (CoC): A certificate that attests to the competence of a seafarer to perform specific functions on a ship.
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NT/EXAM. CIRCULAR NO. 0t of 2018
Examination, Assessment & Certification (EAC)
Branch
Chief Subject: Revalidation of Certificate of Competencies
NT Exam Circular
Examiner of of Nautical Discipline issued under the provisions of
No. 01 of2018
Master and the STCW Convention - reg.
Mates
File No: NT/COC/3(ty20l
8 Date : 13.02.2018
1'
The Directorate has received several requests to clarify whether a candidate in possession
of nautical discipline certificate of competency [coc] issued under the provisions of the srcw
convection is mandatorily required to undergo a revalidation course for revalidating the coc.
2.
All candidates holding certificate of competency issued under STCW 1995 amendments
will necessarily require to undergo a refresher and updating training as mentioned under para I of
section l/l 1 of TEAP part A, to upgrade their certificate of competency to the requirement of
srcw
2010 amendments. The procedures for this up-gradation of cocs from the
1995
amendments to 2010 amendments have already been detailed in Nautical wing NT/EXAM.
CIRCULAR NO. 0l of 2016 dated 15.01.2016 (File No. 3_NT(6/201S).
3'
As regards the requirements for revalidation ofcocs which have already been upgraded
to STCW 2010 requirements, or issued fresh under the STCW 2010 amendments, the srcw
Convention does not speci& any mandatory requirement for undergoing a course for revalidation
of the certificate of competency. Instead, the STCW convention provides severar options for
revalidations ofCoCs at Section A-l/1 I ofSTCW Code.
4'
The options provided for revalidation ofCoCs as per Section A-l/1 I ofthe STCW Code
have been duly elaborated and are reflected in para 3 olsection l/1 I of rEAp part .A,. The
same is reproduced below for ease ofreference.
Continued professional competence is esrablished by:
4'1
approved sea-going service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate
held, for a period ofat least one year in total during the preceding five years ; or
4.2 approved sea-going service, perlorming functions appropriate to the certificate
held, for a period of at least 3 (three) months in total during thqprecep\ng 6 (six)
months immediately prior to expiry of the certificate; or,
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having performed functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing service
required in paragraph 4.1, (e.g. officers working in marine related jobs, such as:
maritime surveyors, faculty, superintendents, cargo superintendents, port officers,
port engineers, officers serving on offshore rigs and platforms, FPSO, FSO,
chartering, Brokering or commercial operations, vetting inspectors, ISM auditors,
Port state and Flag State inspectors, Shipboard rraining officers, pilots, etc. ), for
a period ofnot less than 2 (Two) years during the preceding five years; or
4.4
Passing an approved test, such as oral/E-examination for the grade of coc
concemed; or
4.5
Successfully completing an approved training course or courses, such as:
Competency Course for the grade ofCoC concemed or one grade higher; or
4.6
having completed approved sea-going service, performing functions appropriate to
the certificate held, for a period of not less than three months in a supemumerary
capacity, or in a lower officer rank than that for which the certificate held is valid,
immediately prior to taking up the rank for which it is valid.
5.
In view ofabove, it is clarified that there is no requirement for candidates in possession of
CoCs issued or upgraded under STCW 2010 amendments to mandatorily undergo a revalidation
course or Refresher and updating training course (RUT) for revalidating cocs of nautical
discipline.
6.
This is issued with the approval of Chief Examiner of Master and Mates.
I
(Capt. P.C. Meena) '
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG
[Tech.]
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