Marine Operations Note: 05/2003 - New Terms and Procedures for Seafarer’s Certification Under STCW 78 as Amended

December 3, 2003

MARINE OPERATIONS NOTE 5/2003

RE: New Terms and Procedures for Seafarer’s Certification Under STCW 78 as Amended

This Administration is adjusting its policies and procedures regarding seafarer’s certificates and endorsements to bring them into closer alignment with STCW 78, as amended. Licenses issued after 1 January 2004 will incorporate new terms that are in keeping with Regulations II/1 and III/1 of STCW 78, as amended. New procedures will also be implemented that change the way licenses and endorsements are issued based upon a seafarer’s national certificate or document to more accurately reflect Section BI/2.5 of STCW 78, as amended.

Officer in Charge of a Navigational/Engineering Watch

Navigation Officers (Second and Third Mates):

1. Navigational Officers holding national certificates as “Officer in Charge of a

Navigational Watch” will be issued a Liberian endorsement stating “Navigational

Watch Officer.”

1. Navigational Officers holding second mate or third mate national certificates will be issued “Navigational Watch Officer” Liberian endorsement.

Officer in Charge of an Engineering Watch (Third and Fourth Engineer):

1. Engineering Officers holding national certificates as “Officer in Charge of an

Engineering Watch” will be issued a Liberian endorsement stating “Engineering

Watch Officer.”

1. Engineering Officers holding fourth engineer or third engineer national certificates will be issued “Engineering Watch Officer” Liberian endorsement.

Date of Expiry of Liberian Endorsements of National Certificates

The Liberian Registry has traditionally endorsed national certificates by issuing a Liberian license for a period of 5 years, regardless of the date of expiry of the national certificate. The Liberian endorsement includes the national certificate number. In some instances, officers have not had to replace their Liberian endorsements when renewing their national certificates because the national certificate numbers remained the same. However, for most instances the renewed national certificates are issued with new numbers that no longer match the number on the Liberian endorsements. This new certificate number invalidates the Liberian endorsement, even though it has not expired according to the date. This situation has caused some confusion among officers, manning Marine Operations Note 5/2003

agencies, and Port State Control officials. In order to end the uncertainties regarding the date of expiry, all Liberian endorsements of officer certificates issued after 1 January 2004 will have a date of expiry identical to the date of expiry of the underlying national certificate.

Existing Liberian Endorsements

All existing, valid, Liberian endorsements will remain in force until they expire, or until they become invalid due the expiration or replacement of the underlying national certificate. Officers do not need to replace their existing Liberian endorsements until such time as the underlying certificates expire or are superceded.

Contact Information:

If you have any additional questions or comments regarding this change, please contact Captain Vince Black or a member of his staff at:

Liberian International Ship & Corporate Registry Attn: Seafarers Certification and Documentation 8619 Westwood Center Dr.

Vienna, VA 22182 Tel: 703-790-3434

Fax: 703-790-5655

E-Mail: vblack@liscr.com