Marine Operations Note: 04/2024 - Security Related Training for Seafarers and SEA System Requirement

05 November 2024

Marine Operations Note: 04/2024

(Supersedes Marine Operations Note 01/2013)

Subject: Security Related Training for Seafarers and SEA System Requirement

Reference: (a) STCW Section A-VI/6

Dear Shipowners, Operators, Masters, Manning And Crewing Agents:

This note provides the Liberian Administration’s policy regarding security-related training required in the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention, ref (a). (The STCW security-related training requirements came into force on 1^st January 2012.)

The provisions regarding security-related training contained in STCW Regulation VI/6, Section A-VI/6, and Section B-VI/6 cover the following:

1. Security-related familiarization training,
2. Security awareness training, and
3. Proficiency in designated security duties Security related familiarization training:

All persons employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship that must comply with the ISPS Code, shall receive security familiarization training by the SSO or an equally qualified person, before being assigned any shipboard duties. The training should emphasize ship-specific security issues:

• Reporting a security incident, including a piracy or armed robbery threat or attack;
• Procedures to follow when the seafarer recognizes a security threat; and
• Participation in exercises for security-related emergency and contingency procedures.

Certification is not required from the Administration. Evidence of this training shall be entered into the seafarer’s official training record or the ship's training record/log.

Security Awareness Training:

Seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship that must comply with the ISPS Code, shall complete security-awareness training meeting the competence standards given in table A-VI/6-4 of the STCW Code. Seafarers shall have a certificate of proficiency (COP) issued by a white-listed country or approved training within a white-listed country to the satisfaction of this Administration.

The Administration will make available a Special Qualification Certificate (SQC) for those seafarers who wish to apply for the Liberian certificate and who provide evidence of competence. The SQC will be available as an endorsement or a certificate depending on how the training was gained.

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PLEASE NOTE:

Since this training is required by STCW Regulation VI/6 proof of competence shall be required to be uploaded into SEA System when the application is made for a new or renewed Liberian Book in addition to Basic Training, STCW Regulation VI/1.

Seafarers with designated security duties:

All Seafarers that are designated to perform security-related duties, including anti-piracy and anti-armed robbery-related activities, shall be appropriately trained and be competent to perform onboard security duties meeting the competence standards given in table Section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6-8. Seafarers shall have a certificate of proficiency (COP) issued by a white-listed country or approved training within a white-listed country to the satisfaction of this Administration.

Although not mandatory, the Administration will make available an SQC for those seafarers who can provide evidence of competency and who wish to apply for the Liberian certificate. This will be available as an endorsement or a certificate, depending on how the training was gained.

The Administration will recognize a COP issued for security awareness training or for seafarers with designed security duties that have been issued by another Administration in accordance with the STCW Convention.

For additional information, please contact Seafarers Certification and Documentation Department at +1 703-790-3434 or email: seafarers@LISCR.com.

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