SEA-005 - Amendments To The STCW, 1978, As Amended, Regarding The Training And Certification Of Ship Security Officers (SSO)

TO: ALL SHIPOWNERS, OPERATORS, MASTERS AND OFFICERS OF MERCHANT SHIPS, AGENTS, LIBERIAN AUDITORS AND RECOGNIZED ORGANIZATIONS

SUBJECT: Amendments to the STCW, 1978, as amended, regarding the training and certification of ship security officers (SSO)

References: (a) STCW B-VI/5 (b) ISP-001

Supersedes: SEA-005 dated 12/07

PURPOSE

This Notice provides guidance for implementing the amendments to Chapter VI of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, regarding new Regulation VI/5 and requirement for certificates of proficiency for ship security officers (SSO).

APPLICABILITY:

These new requirements apply to all persons designated and serving as an SSO. The amendments entered into force on 1 January 2008.

REQUIREMENTS:

1. The amended regulations require that every candidate for a certificate of proficiency as ship security officer shall:

.1 have approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months or appropriate seagoing service and knowledge of ship operations; and

.2 meet the standard of competence for certification of proficiency as ship security officer, set out in section A-VI/5, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Code.

1. Person designated as a ship security officer on a Liberian flagged vessel shall have a certificate of proficiency documenting their competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities under A-VI/5 of the STCW Code.

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Inquiries concerning the subject of this Notice should be directed to the Office of the Deputy Commissioner, Republic of Liberia, the Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry, LLC, 8619 Westwood Center Dr., Suite 300, Vienna, VA 22182, USA 12/08

ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES:

1. All Liberian SSO certificates issued prior to 1 January 2008 will remain valid until 1 July 2009. Holders of certificates issued prior to 1 January 2008 shall ensure they obtain a certificate of proficiency that complies with the new revised STCW requirements before 1

July 2009, if they are to continue to serve as SSO. Meeting these requirements will be verified by having an SSO certificate dated 1 January 2008 or later.

1. All SSO certificates issued on or after 1 January 2008 must comply with the new revised STCW requirements. All seafarers who have successfully completed the new training and meet the requirements will be issued an STCW compliant certificate. The certificate will be valid for five years.

1. All Liberian seafarers who have successfully completed an SSO training program approved by the Liberian Administration and who hold a Liberian issued SSO certificate, may qualify for an STCW compliant certificate by demonstrating professional competence using any one of the following:

• 1. Under their existing SSO certificate they have seagoing service as an SSO for at least six months in the last three years;
  2. Have performed security functions considered to be the equivalent of a seagoing

SSO – such as CSO for six months in the last three years;

• 1. Have passed an SSO reassessment/refresher course;
  2. Have successfully completed a new SSO training course compliant with the IMO model course 3.19 and IPS code, and approved by the Liberian Administration.

1. The Liberia Administration will recognize a valid SSO certificate of proficiency complying with amended Regulation VI/5 and will issue an equivalent Liberian SSO endorsement, if the certificate is issued by an Administration of a State party which the IMO Maritime Safety Committee has recognized as giving full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention and is a State which Liberia has an Agreement of Recognition.

You are requested to remind seafarers who have an SSO certificate issued prior to 1 January 2008 that they have until 1 July 2009 to obtain new certification.

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SEA-005 2 of 2 12/08

The Republic of Liberia