**Executive Summary**
This circular (NT/EXAM. CIRCULAR NO. 02 of 2018) from the Directorate General of Shipping addresses transitional provisions for the certification of Masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters, in line with the International Code for ships operating in Polar waters (The Polar Code). It highlights amendments to the STCW Convention and Code that introduce new training and certification requirements, effective from July 1st, 2018. The circular provides guidance on how seafarers can apply for Certificates of Proficiency based on transitional provisions before July 1st, 2020.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Polar Code Implementation:** The International Code for ships operating in Polar waters (Polar Code) entered into force through Chapter XIV of SOLAS.
* **Training Requirements:** Masters, Chief Mates, and Officers in charge of a navigational watch need to complete training to attain required abilities based on STCW Convention and STCW Code provisions.
* **STCW Amendments:** Amendments to the STCW Convention (MSC Resolution 416(97)) and STCW Code (MSC Resolution 417(97)), both dated 25.11.2016, introduce new training and certification requirements for Polar waters.
* **New Certificates:** Effective July 1st, 2018, the following certificates are introduced:
* Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) in Basic training for ships operating in polar waters.
* Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) in Advanced training for ships operating in polar waters.
* **CoP Requirement:** Masters, Chief Mates, and Officers on a navigational watch must possess these CoPs if operating in polar waters as defined in Chapter XIV of SOLAS (regulations 1.2 to 1.4). Appendix-1 provides a reference map of polar waters.
* **Transitional Provisions:** Until July 1st, 2020, seafarers who started approved sea-going service in polar waters (or equivalent) between July 1st, 2013, and July 1st, 2018, with at least 3 months total sea service at operational or management level, can apply for the Basic or Advanced CoP without undergoing the course.
* **"Equivalent Sea Going Service" Definition:** The term "Equivalent approved sea going service" is defined as ice conditions with an ice concentration of 2/10th or greater (as per the ice nomenclature of the World Meteorological Organization.)
* **Application Process:** Seafarers can apply for basic/advance certificates by submitting a completed application and supporting documents to the Mercantile Marine Department, using formats provided in the Annexure.
* **Annexure Contents**
* Annex 1: Application format for CoP issuance (basic/advanced).
* Annex 2: Format for record of sea service on ships operating in polar or equivalent waters (attested by the Master), applicable for service after July 1st, 2018.
* Annex 3: Format for company issuance of record of sea service on ships operating in polar or equivalent waters.
* Annex 4: Format for Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) in Basic Training for ships operating in Polar Waters [Issued by MMDs].
* Annex 5: Format for Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) in Advanced Training for ships operating in Polar Waters [Issued by MMDs].
**Impact Analysis**
**Masters, Chief Mates, and Officers in charge of a navigational watch**
**Impact**
They must obtain the new Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) to serve on ships operating in polar waters. Those with qualifying past experience may apply under transitional provisions without undergoing the full training course, until July 1st, 2020.
**Action Required**
Determine eligibility for CoP based on experience. If eligible under transitional provisions, gather necessary documents and apply to the Mercantile Marine Department using the formats provided in the Annexure. If not eligible under transitional provisions, undertake required basic or advanced training.
**Mercantile Marine Department (MMD)**
**Impact**
Responsible for processing applications and issuing Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs).
**Action Required**
Implement processes for receiving, reviewing, and approving applications for CoPs related to Polar Waters. Verify supporting documents and issue the certificates.
Key Entities Referenced
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW): International maritime convention setting minimum qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships
Polar Code: The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, a set of regulations to enhance the safety of ships and protect the environment in the harsh conditions of the Arctic and Antarctic
SOLAS Chapter XIV: Chapter XIV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), dealing with safety measures for ships operating in polar waters
Directorate General of Shipping: Primary Indian governmental organization dealing with maritime affairs, issuing circulars on maritime regulations
Merchant Shipping Act, 1958: The Indian legislation under which the certificates for Polar Water operations are issued
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NT/EXAM. CIRCULAR NO. 02 of 20)
Authorized ExaminationA, ssessme&nt Certification(E AC IS/ISOC lause
by Branch No.7.5.1
Chief SubiectT: ransitionaplr ovisionfso r Certificatioonf NT ExamC ircular
Examineorf No.0 2o f 2018
Mastersa ndd ecko fficerso n shipso peratingin
Mastera nd polarw aters- reg.
Mates
FileN o:7 -NT(7y2013 Date:01.03.2018
L The InternationaClo def or shipso peratingin Polarw aters(TheP olarC ode)e ntered
intof brcet hroughth e newC hapteXr IV of SOLAS[ i.e.S afetyM ewure,.sfo r shipso perating
in Polur Wuter:;],
2. 1-he'Manninagn d Training'Chapteorf PolarC ode[ Cha:i.er1 2,P artl -A] at Para
12.2r equiresM astersC, hief Matesa nd Officersi n chargeo f a nrvigationawl atcht o have
cornpletetdra iningt o attaint he requireda bilitiesth ata rea pproprlte to the capacitietso be
filleda ndd utiesa ndr esponsibilititeos b e takenc, onsiderintgh ei mendedp rovisionosl 't he
STCWC onventioann dt heS TCWC ode.
3. The amendmentot the STCWC onventiown asc aniedo ut,rideM SCR esolutio4n1 6
(97) dated2 5.11.201a6n dt he STCW Codew as amendedv ide 4SCR esolutio4n1 7( 97)
dated2 5.11.2016T. he amendmenttos the STCWC onvention.ndC odei ntroducende w
traininga ndc ertificationrse quiremenftos r MastersC, hiefM atesz ndO fficersin chargeo f a
rravigationwaal tcho n shipso peratinign Polarw aters,T hea menlmentse nteri ntol 'orceo n
I't July,20l8.T hen ewc ertificateinst roduceadr ea sf ollows:
3.1 'Certificate o f ProficiencyI CoP] in Basic trainingf or ships operating in polur
waters'
3.2 'Certificale o f ProJiciency[C oPJ in Advancedtr ainingf tt ,shipso peratingi n polur
u)aters'.
4. MastersC, hief Matesa ndO fficersi n chargeo f a navigatinal watcha rer equiredto
be in possessioonf the saidC oPso nly if the vesseils operatingin polarw atersa sd eflnedir r
ChapteXr IV of SOLASa t regulationIs . 2 to I .4. Fore aseo f refernce,t heg eographicaarl ea
of polarw atersis indicateodn mapa tA ppendix-l(Fieur1e& Figu
PageI of25. The saida mendmentto STCW Conventiona lsop rovides itionalp rovisionast
para6 & 7 of RegulationY 1 4 of ChapterV of the Convention.As per the transitional
provisionu, ntil l't Ju|y,2020s, eafarerwsh oc ommenceadp proved goings ervicein polar
waterso,r in equivalenwta tersb, etweenIt tJuly,2 013&, lttJuly,2 18w itha t leas3t months
in totalo f seas ervicea sa membeor f thed eckw atch,a t manasemelnetv el
mav anol
ers or Cert oPl in A
polar walers'(asa ppropriatew) ithout undergoing the course'
6. The term "Equivalenta pproveds ea going service" has not been deflned in the
Convention.H owever,t he PolarC odea t PartI -A, Section1 2.312.h5a s indicateda n ice
concentrationfiguorf e2 110.I nviewofthesame,EquivalentapprQved,seagoingsen'icecan
be considereads ice conditionws ith ice concentratioonf 2ll0''' or greatear s per the ice
nomenclatureo f the World MeteorologicaOl rganizationT. hd ice concentrationa nd
nomenclatuarere a sf ollows:
consolidatepda cki cec omPact
9-10 /10 veryc losep acki ce
openp acki ce
veryo penp acki ce
< l/10
7. Thed etailso f the newb asica nda dvancceo ursefo r shipso peratinign Polarw aters
areu nderp reparationH. oweveri,n the rneantimese, afarerdse siringto uset het ransitional
provisionp rovidedi n the STCW Conventionm ay apply for baiic/advanccee rtitlcate(a s
appropriatfeo)r shipso peratinign polarw atersb y submittindgu ly i ompleteda pplicatioann d
supportingd ocumenttso the MercantileM arineD epartmenbt y r]rsingth e formatg iven irr
Annexure.
7.1 Annex l: Formato f makingA pplicationfo r Issueo f Cefiiflcateo f Proficiency
(basic/advancetod )b e madeb y thea pplicant.
7.2 Annex2 : Formatf or issuingre cordo f seas erviceo 4rs hipsw heno peratinign
polarw aterso r othere quivalenste agoinsge rvice[t q be takenf ronre achs hip
attestebdy theM astera] pplicable.tosre as ervicert edbrntead- {terl' ' ,lul-v,2018'
7.3 Annex 3: Formatf or companyis suancoef recordo f seas erviceo n ships
operatingi n Polar waters,o r other equivalenwt atiors[ to be issuedb y the
companyl.
7.4 Annex4 : Formatf or Certificatoef Proficienc[yC gP]i n BasicT rainingf br
shipso peratinign PolarW aters[l ssuedb y MMDs]'
-fraining
l.S Annex5 : Formatf or Certificateo f ProficienclyC oP]i n Advanced fbr
shipso peratingin PolarW aters[l ssuedb y MMDs].
8. This issuesw ith thea pprovaol f theC hiefE xamineor f Maslera ndM ates.
NauticaSl urveyor-cum-DD[CT' ech.]
Page2 of 2APPENDIX 1
Figures illustrating the"Antarctic area and Arctic waters, as ned in SOLAS resulations
XMt.2 and XIV/I.3, respectively,a nd MARPOL Annex I, re 1.11.7a rld 46.2'"A nnex
II, regulations1 3.8.1 and2I.2; Annex IV, regulations1 7.2 and 1 3; and Annex V, regulations
1.14.7a nd1 3.2.
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Figure 1 - Maximum extento f Arctic waters
Page1 of2
hn t\,,.,.,Figure 2 - Maximum extent of Antarctic area
(* It shouldb e notedt hat this figure is for illustra purposeso nly.)
Page2o f2
r ^ N^Annex- I
Applicationfor Issuanceo f Certificateo f Prpficiencyin
BASIC/ADVANCEDT RAINING FOR MASTERSA ND DECK OFFICERSO N SHIPSO PERATING IN
POLA["IW. A'TERS
Refert o Instructionsa ndG uideliness ivenf or filli ication form
To The PrincipalO fficer,M MD at *Strikeo ff what is not applicable)
Sub.: Application for lssuanceo f Certificate of roficiencyi n Basic/Advanced
Colour Training for Mastersa nd DechO fficerso n ShipO in PolarW aters.
Photograph Name( asp er Passport):
Surname Given Name
40mm x 30mm
nality:
Date of Birth: (DD/MM/YYYY)
PLACE OF BIRTH:
Date of issue: f Issue:
Datel ast Renewed:
lndianC OCN o. COCG RADE: Departmen-t
DECK
Rankl asth eld:
Certificate of Sea Service: 3 monthso f seas erviceo n shipso peratingi n PolarWaterso r ivalenta pproveds eagoingse rvice"
within thc lasts ixtvm onthsi s compulsory,
Area of
operation
lssuanceo f Certificateo f Proficiencyfo r Servicein PolarW atersr equesteda sf ollo
I herebyd eclareth att hep articulargsi vena bovea rec orrecat ndt ruet o theb esto f my knowledgaen d
belief.I haver eadt hei nstructiongsi veno verleaf.
OFFICIAL USE
Bharatkosh
I haves crutinizeadb ovea pplicatioinn linew itha pplicablgeu idelinesC. andid[teis Eligible/ Not Eligiblef or
lssuancoef Certificatoef proficiencyfo r shipso peratingin PolarW aters
t strikeo ff whichi s not applicablea) s teda ndm avb ei ssued
CERTIFICATE NO Signatureo f Duly
AuthorizedO fficer
Levelo f COP Basic/Advanced Nameo f Officer
PageIl
lcrh+s*Annex- I
Checkl ist for Issuanceo f Certificateo f Proficiencyin
O'BASIC/ADVANCED TR AINING FOR MASTERSA ND DBCK OFFICERSO N SHIP OPERATING IN
POLAR WATBRS,'
--
Follo\^,ir€ DocumentsA re RequiredF or issuancoef a Certificatroef Proficiencyin
"Basic/AdvanceTdr ainingf or Mastersa ndD eckO fficerso n ShipO peratingin PolarW aters
PhotoC opy/ originaal sr equiredo f eachd ocumentms ustb ea rrangeidn fhef ollowingS equence,
Name: Date:
Placeo f Birth: Dateo f Birth:
Sr. ToBic Fresh Remark
No.
I Two recenct olorp hotographins fi ghtb ackground,
passposrti ze4 0mm*3Omm(w ithlsmaelln velope)
attachedto application
2. Bharatkosrhe ceiptf or evidenceo f feesp aid( Rs.
3000/-f or BasicC OPa nd4 5001f-o r advanceCd OP)
enclosefdo r eachC ertificateo f Proficiencoyr
combined.
3. Checklisdtu lyf illedu p
4. Applicatiofno rmi n originadl ulyf illed& signed
5. Copyo f IndianC OC
6. Coovo f CDC firstp ageo nly
Note: l) All ortgtnald oc"r."t. b. *ttfi.d by ttteM itlO eithers t thet ime of applicatiqno r at the time of issuancoel '
coP ",tll
2) Applicationis liablet br rejectionif it is not filledu p completelya nd if the necessardyo cumentsli steda bovca re not
enclosed.
Nameo f Applicant: Signature: Confirmatiobny
DealingA ssistant:
ACCEPTE/D
NOTA CCEPTED*
Pagel2
finh-or ^Annex2
Approvedb y
Chief Examineor f Mastersa ndM ates
viceonShipswhenoperatinginPolarwatersorother
equivalenatp provedse agoinsge rvice- to bet akenf romM ASTERo f eachs hip)
TO WHOM IT MAY CONCERN
whose
Thisi s to certifyt hat
dateo f birthi s , CDCN o. hasp erformedfo llowings ervicea rrd
gainede xperiencaes i ndicatedb elowu nderm y supervision:
Nameo f EXPERIENCE IceC lass Certificateo f Ra'"tt<'
vessel competence served
vessel PolarW aters'PW) / OtherE quivalent'(OE)
(Optional) held
Service Position
(Date: Lat:XX"XX
dd/mm/yy) N/S
Long:X XX"XX
E/W
'|OTAL
EXPERIENCE(N o.o f daYs)
Date:
ShipsS tamp:
Signaturoef Master
Nameo f Master
Master'sC ertificatoef CompetencNyo .
AndI ssuingA dministration
Polar ll/atersti ncludesb othA rctic andA ntarcticw aters( asd efr nedi n theP olarC ode)
Othere quivalenst eagoinfs ervice2meaanpsp rovesde agoinsge rviceo utsideo f Polarw atersw, heno peratingin watersir itlr
icec oncentratio2n/ 10'no r greater'
PageIl
h N.^..-,(On CompanYL etterhead)
Annex3
Recordo f Seas ervice.inP olarW aters/ OtherE quivalenWt aters
Date:
Ref.n o:
lo,
TheP rincipaOl fficer,
MercantilMe arineD ePartment,
Address,......
DearS ir/Madam,
CDC No -ond /l/Do5
This is to introduce
No. , who hass ervedo n boardt he vessel(sin) the capacityo f on worldwide
whoseb usiness
vessel(sm), onoged/o7erotebdY
oddressis asf ollows:
we certifyb elows ervlcein last5 yearsw hichi sa sp erh isr ecordo f seas erviceo n eacho f thef ollowingS hips
operatinign Polawr aterso r OtherE quivalenwta tersa, sb elow:
------
EXPERIENCE(s eeN oteb elow)
Narneo f Vessel
PolarW aters('P W)/ OtheiE qulvalent
Certiflcatoef
competenchee ld
TOTAL
We herebyre quesyto ut o issueh im theC ertificateo f Proficiencyfor BASIC TRAINING /
ADVANCEDTRAINING,forshipsoperatinginPolarwaters.
Thisl etteri s beingi ssueda sp erh is request'
Thankinygo u.
Yoursfa ithfullY,
For
Name
Designation:
(Asa gentsfo r ando n behalfo f Owners)
PageIl
iln h^*^Annex4
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
IN
BASIC TRAINING FOR SHIPSO PERATING IN POLAR WATERS
(RegulationY l4Paragraph2 of STCW Convention)
CERTIFICATE ISSUED I.TNDERT HE PROVISIONSO F THE MERCHANT SHIPPING ACT'
l9s8 (44 OF 1958) AND THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF
TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS( STCW)' 1978'A S
AMENDED.
has
The Governmento f India certifies that
beenf bundd uly qualifiedi n accordanc*eit h ttte provisionso f RegulationV / 4 paragrap2h of tlre
STCWC onventiona,s a mendeda ndf oundc ompetentot performt hef unctionsa t the levela ndtypeo f
ships specified for Polar Waters, subject to any limitations indicated Llntil
(dd/mrn/yyyy) (notm oret han5 yearsf romt hed ateo f issue)'
lrrvrrrarroNasp plvtNc
Typeo f Ships LEVEL OF
TRAINING IF ANY
SHIPSO PERATING IN
POLAR WATERS
CertificateN o. lssuedo n (dd/mm/vyyy)
Theo riginaol f thisc ertificatem ustb e kepta vailablein accordancwei th Regulatiolnl2 ParagrapIh I ot
theS TdWC onventiona,s a mendedw,h ilei tsh oldeirs servingo n a ship'
Datea ndP laceo f birth of holdero f the certificate (dd/mm/yyyy -) - /
Signatureo f the holdero f the certificate
INDoS No.
C.D.C.N o.
Photographo f the holdero f the certificate
Colour
Signatureo f duly authorisedO fficer
Photograph
40mmx30mm
Official Seal
Nameo f duly authorisedO fficer
rcantiteMarinDe epartment, (Place)
Contacdt etailsD: irectoraGtee neraol f Shippingg .' ht loor.u El'A BuilclingI-.T hinkT echnoC arnpusK' anjurM arg( l:ast)'
Mumbai- 400042,tNDtA.p hone:91-22-25-52040t4142143145,Fax:91-22-2575202q85"|r-mail:!g,r1!ptJgsjiliC,itr.
'I-he a uthenticitoyt 'this certificatec anb e verifiedo nlineu singI NDoS/CoPC heckeor n websitew urv'dgshippinggo r'itt'
Any f'urtheirn quiryc oncernintgh isc ertitlcatseh ouldb ea ddresJetod t heI NDoSC ell'a t email:m ttindos(rlgmail'corn
PageIi
ft., \,.u, ^-5
Annex
miirr Ar*
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
CERTIFICATE OF PROFICIENCY
IN
ADVANCED TRAINING FOR SHPSO PERATING IN POLAR WATERS
(RegulationY l4 Paragraph4 of STCW Convention)
CERTIFICATE ISSUEDU NDER THE PROVISIONSO F THE MERCHANT SI{IPPINGA (]'I''
l95S (44 OF 1953) AND THE INTERNATTONAL CONVENTION ON SI'ANDAI{DS OF
TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS( STCW),1 978,i \S
AMENDED
Itot
The Covernmenotf India certifiesth at -
beenf oundd uly qualifiedi n accordancwe ittr tt-rep rovisionso f RegulationY 14 paragrap4h of the
STCWC onventiona,s a mendeda ndf oundc ompetentot performt hef unctionsa t the levela ndt ypeo l'
ships specified for Polar Waters, subject to any limitations indicated Lrntil
(dd/mm/vvvil. - (notm oret han5 yearsf romt hed ateo f issue)'
Type of Ships LBVEL OF LIMITATIONS APPLYING
TRAINING IF ANY
SHIPSO PERATINGI N ADVANCED
POLAR WATERS TRAINING
CertificateN o. lssuedo n (dd/mm/vyyy)
Theo riginaol f thisc ertificatem ustb e kepta vaitablein accordancwei th Regulatiolnl2 ParagrapIh I ol'
theS TCWC onventionaosa mendedw,h ilei tsh olderis s ervingo n a ship'
Date and Placeo f birth of holder of the certificate ld-dhrnlyyyyL- I
Signatureo f theh oldero f thec ertificate
INDoS No.
C.D.C.N o.
Photograpohf theh oldero f thec ertificate
Colour
Signatureo f duly authorisedC )fficer
Photograph
40mmx30mm Official Seal
Nameo f dulYa uthorisedO fficer
ISsred-nfNfer-a*i Ie Mar i ne Depar tme nt, (Place)
Contactd etailsrD irectoratGe eneraol f Shippingg , 'hf loor,B ETA Building,I 'Think" lechnoC ampusK' trnjurM arg( l:itsL)'
Mumbai- 400042,1NDIA.P hone9: l-22-zslsioqo4lt42l43l45'Fax:91-22-25752()29135'E-mail:iig'!]up:rl8r4rt-Lc'itl
.l.hc a uthenticiotyf thisc ertiflcatcea nb e verilledo nlineu singI NDoS/coPc heckero n rvebsitwe u\.dgshippirrggt 'r'i''
Any furtherin quiryc oncernintgh isc ertiflcatseh ouldb ea ddressetod theI NDoSC ell,a t email:m Ltindosilirgmc:oiirl ll'
PageIl
r, l\^ e