Certification of seafarers

Transcription

1 1 (14) Date of issue: 19 June 2014 Entry into force: 1 August 2014 Validity: Indefinitely Legal basis: Act on Ships Crews and the Safety Management of Ships (1687/2009), sections 5(4), 17(6), 18(2), 19(4) Implemented EU legislation: - Repealed regulation: Finnish Transport Safety Agency Regulation on the certification of seafarers ( , TRAFI/23173/ /2012) Certification of seafarers CONTENTS 1 DEFINITIONS REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES General provisions Revalidation based on performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service Approval of seagoing service in certain cases Revalidation based on approved refresher and updating courses TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR DECK HANDS STANDARD OF COMPETENCE REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION AS OPERATOR OF CHARTER BOATS SAFETY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR FISHING VESSEL PERSONNEL GENERAL AND TYPE-SPECIFIC ECDIS TRAINING SPECIAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS Special training and qualifications required of seafarers on passenger ships Special training requirements for seafarers on passenger vessels engaged on domestic voyages Crew training and qualifications for officers on high-speed craft engaged on international voyages General provisions Training of crew members on board high-speed craft Revalidation of type rating certificate for high-speed craft Crew training and qualifications for officers on dynamically supported craft engaged on international voyages General provisions Training for crew members on board dynamically supported craft Revalidation of type rating certificate for dynamically supported craft Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificate of proficiency in basic safety training Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in fast rescue boats... 9 Finnish Transport Safety Agency P.O. Box 320, FI Helsinki, Finland Tel , fax Business ID

2 2 (14) Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in advanced fire fighting Practical test instead of refresher and updating course Proficiency of tanker personnel General provisions Proficiency of personnel serving on fuel barges and small tankers engaged on domestic voyages TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS General provisions Certificates of competency for able seamen, motormen, ship s electricians, electrical engineers and watchkeeping ratings Certificates of competency for boatswains and repairmen Master s certificate, near-coastal voyages Restricted certificates for chief officers Chief engineer officer s certificates for ships powered by main propulsion machinery of less than kw propulsion power Applying for certificates of proficiency when revalidating certificates of competency Period of validity of certain certificates ENTRY INTO FORCE... 14

3 3 (14) 1 DEFINITIONS The definitions contained in section 2 of the Act on Ships Crews and the Safety Management of Ships (1687/2009, hereinafter the Act) and section 1 of the Government Decree on the Manning of Ships and the Certification of Seafarers (166/2013, hereinafter the Decree) apply equally to this Regulation. In addition, the following supplementary definitions apply: 1. MODU means a mobile offshore drilling unit; 2. oil platform means a fixed offshore drilling unit; 3. STCW-F Convention means the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995; 4. IMO Model Course 1.33 means IMO Model Course Safety of Fishing Operations Support Level (ISBN ) published by the International Maritime Organization (IMO); 5. ECDIS means the Electronic Chart Display and Information System, a wheel-mark certified navigation information system using official ENC charts. ECDIS may be used as a replacement for paper nautical charts; 6. Manila Amendments mean the amendments, adopted at the 2010 Conference in Manila to the STCW Convention and to the STCW Code, by resolution 1 of Attachment 1 and by resolution 2 of Attachment 2 to the Final Act of the Conference respectively; 7. HSC Code means the International Code of Safety for High-Speed Craft, adopted by the Maritime Safety Committee of the IMO on 20 May 1994 by resolution MSC.36(63) and on 5 December 2000 by resolution MSC.97(73), as amended; 8. DSC Code means the Code of Safety for Dynamically Supported Craft, adopted on 14 November 1977 by the IMO Assembly by resolution A.373(X), as amended. 2 REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATES 2.1 General provisions Data on the seagoing service of seafarers applying for revalidation of their certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency (hereinafter certificates) is, as a rule, obtained from the register kept by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency. When a certificate of competency is revalidated, other seagoing service and performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service, as referred to in section 79(1)(3) of the Decree, may also be accepted, if documentary evidence is provided. The provisions of the Decree and this Regulation apply to evaluating the acceptability of seagoing service as a criterion for revalidating certificates. If seagoing service is a criterion for revalidating a certificate, it must be appropriate to the certificate concerned. The functions performed by the seafarer, along with the size, engine power, type and characteristics of the ship and the ship s trade area, are taken into consideration when evaluating whether seagoing service is appropriate. 2.2 Revalidation based on performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service Performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service, as referred to in section 79(1)(3) of the Decree, means service that may be accepted instead of seagoing service, provided that it can be considered to maintain continued professional competence. The appropriateness of

4 4 (14) such service is evaluated in each individual case based on the documentary evidence provided by the seafarer. In evaluating whether performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service has made it possible for the seafarer to maintain continued professional competence, emphasis is put on the fact that a certificate revalidated on such grounds gives the seafarer equal right to perform the functions indicated in the certificate as a certificate revalidated on the basis of seagoing service. 2.3 Approval of seagoing service in certain cases When a certificate issued in accordance with the STCW Convention is revalidated on the basis of seagoing service, seagoing service completed on a ship of less than 500 gross tonnage or powered by main propulsion machinery of less than 750 kw propulsion power, engaged on domestic voyages, may be considered appropriate and acceptable. The appropriateness of the service is evaluated separately in each individual case. When a certificate is revalidated on the basis of service completed on an oil platform or a MODU, the service may be considered as performance of functions equivalent to seagoing service, as referred to in section 79(1)(3), if the service is appropriate to the certificate applied for. The evaluation of the appropriateness of such service is based on the documentary evidence provided by the seafarer. Transit voyages to move a MODU from one location to another are considered as seagoing service if they have been undertaken using the MODU s propulsion machinery. Documentary evidence of such transit voyages must be provided. 2.4 Revalidation based on approved refresher and updating courses In accordance with section 79(1)(4) of the Decree, certificates of competency of deck and engine officers may be revalidated on the basis of an approved refresher and updating course. This shall be understood to mean a course as required under regulation A-I/11 of the STCW Code. The aim of the approved refresher and updating course is to update the professional competence of seafarers applying for revalidation of their certificates, irrespective of the time elapsed since the expiry of their certificates. 3 TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR DECK HANDS The training of deck hands shall consist of: 1. basic training in personal survival techniques: use of life-saving appliances carried on board, location of personal life-saving appliances, donning of lifejackets and immersion suits, use of lifebuoys, preparing liferafts and personal life-saving appliances for use, location of pyrotechnic distress signals and instructions for their use, location of first aid kits, recovery of persons from the water, assistance of passengers and use of communication equipment in the event of an emergency; 2. training in fire-fighting: introduction to the fire-fighting appliances and equipment carried on board and their use; location of fire-fighting equipment, emergency escape routes, activation of the fire extinguishing system in the machinery space, operation of the fuel tank quick closing valve and closing of ventilation system and fire dampers;

5 5 (14) 3. training in personal safety and social responsibilities: importance of safe working practices, correct use of personal protective equipment, use of flotation devices, especially when working outside railings; 4. training in ship handling: introduction to the operation and steering of the ship in accordance with the master s instructions and, in extraordinary circumstances, independently using landmarks and the compass, how to berth and how to start and shut down the engines; and 5. shore-based training: comprising a medical first-aid course intended for boaters or similar and a practical drill arranged by a fire-fighting expert in the use of portable extinguishers and fire blankets to extinguish flammable liquid fires. The master shall give the training referred to in 1-4 above and issue a certificate thereof when competence has been ensured. However, training received at an institution is also accepted as training entitling to certification. If a deck hand has received his training at an institution or if the deck hand is transferred to another ship, the matters referred to in 1-4 above must be covered in the familiarization training, where applicable. The familiarization training must be documented. 4 STANDARD OF COMPETENCE REQUIRED FOR CERTIFICATION AS OPERATOR OF CHARTER BOATS In order to be certificated as operator of charter boats in accordance with section 32 of the Decree, the seafarer must demonstrate that he/she has theoretical knowledge of the legislation etc. referred to in 1-5 below. Knowledge is demonstrated by passing an exam arranged by the Finnish Transport Safety Agency, or if knowledge has been demonstrated to a boating organization, by a certificate issued by that organization. Theoretical knowledge of the following items is required: 1. Rules of the Road at Sea; 2. Decree on Preventing Collisions on Inland Waters, 1978; 3. buoys and beacons, the nautical chart, the compass, bearings and courses, taking bearings; 4. the Water Traffic Act (463/1996) and the Water Traffic Decree (124/1997); and 5. the provisions of the Maritime Code (674/1994) concerning shipmasters, as applicable. Holders of the International certificate for operators of pleasure craft are considered to have acquired the knowledge required in items 1-3 above. 5 SAFETY TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR FISHING VESSEL PERSONNEL Safety training for fishing vessel personnel, as referred to in section 18(2) of the Act, may be provided by institutions entitled to arrange training leading to a vocational qualification in fishery and institutions entitled to arrange training leading to a vocational qualification in seafaring. The training course should be planned and conducted in accordance with the recommendations in chapter III of the STCW-F Convention and resolution 5 of Attachment 2 to the Convention. Valid certificates and training and proficiency acquired earlier may be taken into account. IMO Model Course 1.33 may be used in planning the training course, wherever applicable.

6 6 (14) 6 GENERAL AND TYPE-SPECIFIC ECDIS TRAINING Under the Manila Amendments, deck officers certificated in accordance with regulations II and VII of the STCW Convention are required to complete general ECDIS training. Training in the use of ECDIS is not required for those who serve exclusively on ships not fitted with ECDIS. If a seafarer has not completed a general ECDIS training course or he/she does not submit a certificate on having completed such a course, the limitation is reflected in the certificate issued to the seafarer concerned. In accordance with regulation I/ of the Annex to the STCW Convention and regulations 6.3 and 6.5 of the ISM Code, the company shall ensure that the master and the deck officers are familiarized with all ship arrangements, installations, equipment, etc. including ECDIS (type-specific training). The familiarization training shall be documented and the guidelines of STCW.7/Circ.18 shall be taken into account. 7 SPECIAL TRAINING AND QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS 7.1 Special training and qualifications required of seafarers on passenger ships Special training requirements for seafarers on passenger vessels engaged on domestic voyages The Finnish Transport Safety Agency may in conjunction with the determination of minimum safe manning levels request that seafarers on passenger vessels engaged on domestic voyages in trade areas I and II have the training referred to in section 14(2-5) of the Decree with regard to the ship s characteristics, number of passengers and the duties of each seafarer on board Crew training and qualifications for officers on high-speed craft engaged on international voyages General provisions Training required in chapter 18 of the HSC Code for issue of a type rating certificate to the master and officers of the craft shall be arranged having regard to the particular type and model of craft concerned and the service intended. The training shall cover the items listed in (1-12) below. The training of crew members other than officers shall cover at least the items listed in (6-12). The training shall be arranged on board by the company. The type rating certificate is issued for a particular type and model of craft and is only valid for service on the route(s) mentioned in the certificate. A sister ship serving the same route(s) may, on application, be entered in the certificate Training of crew members on board high-speed craft The type rating training shall cover at least the following items: 1. knowledge of all on-board propulsion and control systems, including communication and navigation equipment, steering, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and bilge and fire pumping; 2. the failure mode of the control, steering and propulsion systems and proper response to such failures;

7 7 (14) 3. the handling characteristics of the craft and the limiting operational conditions; 4. the bridge communication and navigation procedures; 5. the intact and damage stability and survivability of the craft and the evacuation of passengers; 6. the location and use of the craft s life-saving appliances, including survival craft equipment; 7. the location and use of escapes in the craft and the evacuation of passengers; 8. the location and use of fire protection and fire-extinguishing appliances and systems in the event of fire on board; 9. the location and use of damage control appliances and systems, including operation of watertight doors and bilge pumps; 10. the cargo and vehicle stowage and securing systems; 11. the methods for control of and communication with passengers in an emergency; and 12. the location and use of all other items listed in the training manual Revalidation of type rating certificate for high-speed craft The type-rating certificate may be revalidated on the basis of seagoing service or on completion of a refresher and updating course. For revalidation based on seagoing service, the seafarer must have completed at least six months of seagoing service on the said craft and route within the preceding two years Crew training and qualifications for officers on dynamically supported craft engaged on international voyages General provisions Training required in chapter 18 of the DSC Code for issue of a type rating certificate to the master and officers of the craft shall be arranged having regard to the particular type and model of craft concerned and the service intended. The training shall cover the items listed in (1-12). The training of crew members other than officers shall cover at least the items listed in (6-12). The training shall be arranged on board by the company. The type rating certificate is issued for a particular type and model of craft and is only valid for service on the route(s) mentioned in the certificate. A sister ship serving the same route(s) may, on application, be entered in the certificate Training for crew members on board dynamically supported craft The type rating training shall cover at least the following items: 1. knowledge of all on-board propulsion and control systems, including communication and navigation equipment, steering, electrical, hydraulic and pneumatic systems and bilge and fire pumping; 2. the failure mode of the control, steering and propulsion systems and proper response to such failures; 3. the handling characteristics of the craft and the limiting operational conditions; 4. the bridge communication and navigation procedures; 5. the intact and damage stability and survivability of the craft and the evacuation of passengers; 6. the location and use of the craft s life-saving appliances, including survival craft equipment; 7. the location and use of escapes in the craft and the evacuation of passengers; 8. the location and use of fire protection and fire-extinguishing appliances and systems in the event of fire on board;

8 8 (14) 9. the location and use of damage control appliances and systems, including operation of watertight doors and bilge pumps; 10. the cargo and vehicle stowage and securing systems; 11. the methods for control of and communication with passengers in an emergency; and 12. the location and use of all other items listed in the training manual Revalidation of type rating certificate for dynamically supported craft The type rating certificate may be revalidated on the basis of seagoing service or on completion of a refresher and updating course. For revalidation based on seagoing service, the seafarer must have completed at least six months of seagoing service on the said craft and route within the preceding two years. 7.2 Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificate of proficiency in basic safety training Part of the refresher and updating training referred to in section 82 of the Decree may be completed on board. Onboard training is accepted for maintaining the required standard of competence in the following areas: Personal survival techniques as set out in table A-VI/1-1 of the STCW Code: 1. donning a lifejacket; 2. boarding a survival craft from the ship and water, while wearing a lifejacket; 3. taking initial actions on boarding a lifeboat to enhance chance of survival; 4. streaming a lifeboat drogue or sea-anchor; 5. operating survival craft equipment; 6. operating location devices, including radio equipment; Fire prevention and fire fighting as set out in table A-VI/1-2 of the STCW Code: 1. using self-contained breathing apparatus; 2. effecting a rescue in a smoke-filled space, using an approved smoke-generating device aboard, while wearing a breathing apparatus. A certificate issued by the master or the company is taken as evidence of completed onboard training. The training may be accepted as part of the refresher and updating training required for revalidation of the certificate of proficiency, provided that the seafarer has completed at least 12 months of seagoing service within the preceding five years. The rest of the survival and fire-prevention and fire-fighting training required by the STCW Code shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course The practical test replacing the refresher and updating course, as referred to in section 82 of the Decree, shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider. 7.3 Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats Part of the refresher and updating course referred to in section 83 of the Decree may be completed on board (table A-VI/2-1 of the STCW Code). Onboard training is accepted for maintaining the required standard of competence in the following areas:

9 9 (14) Taking charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launch: 1. interpreting the markings on survival craft as to the number of persons they are intended to carry; 2. giving correct commands for launching and boarding survival craft, clearing the ship and handling and disembarking persons from survival craft; 3. preparing and safely launching survival craft and clearing the ship s side quickly; and 4. safely recovering survival craft and rescue boats; Managing survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship: 1. rowing and steering a boat and steering by compass; 2. using individual items of equipment of survival crafts, except for pyrotechnics; 3. rigging devices to aid location; Using locating devices, including communication and signalling apparatus: 1. using portable radio equipment for survival craft; and Administering first aid to survivors. A certificate issued by the master or the company is taken as evidence of completed onboard training. The training may be accepted as part of the refresher and updating training required for revalidation of the certificate of proficiency, provided that the seafarer has completed at least 12 months of seagoing service within the preceding five years. The rest of the training in proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats required by the STCW Code shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course The practical test replacing the refresher and updating course, as referred to in section 83 of the Decree, shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider. 7.4 Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in fast rescue boats Part of the refresher and updating course referred to in section 84 of the Decree may be completed on board (table A-VI/2-2 of the STCW Code). Onboard training is accepted for maintaining the required standard of competence in the following areas: Taking charge of a fast rescue boat during and after launch: 1. controlling safe launching and recovery of a fast rescue boat; 2. handling a fast rescue boat in prevailing weather and sea conditions; 3. using communications and signalling equipment between the fast rescue boat and a helicopter and a ship; 4. using the emergency equipment carried; and 5. carrying out search patterns, taking account of environmental factors. A certificate issued by the master or the company is taken as evidence of completed onboard training. The training may be accepted as part of the refresher and updating training required

10 10 (14) for revalidation of the certificate of proficiency, provided that the seafarer has completed at least 12 months of seagoing service within the preceding five years. The rest of the proficiency training for fast rescue boats required by the STCW Code shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider Practical test instead of a refresher and updating course The practical test replacing the refresher and updating course, as referred to in section 84 of the Decree, shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider. 7.5 Refresher and updating course for revalidation of certificates of proficiency in advanced fire fighting Part of the refresher and updating course referred to in section 85 of the Decree may be completed on board (table A-VI/3 of the STCW Code). Onboard training is accepted for maintaining the required standard of competence in the following areas: Controlling fire-fighting operations aboard ships: 1. fire-fighting procedures at sea and in port, with particular emphasis on organization, tactics and command; 2. communication and coordination during fire-fighting operations; 3. ventilation control, including smoke extraction; 4. control of fuel and electrical systems; 5. fire-fighting process hazards (dry distillation, chemical reactions, boiler uptake, fires); 6. fire precautions and hazards associated with the storage and handling of materials; 7. management and control of injured persons; 8. procedures for coordination with shore-based fire fighters. A certificate issued by the master or the company is taken as evidence of completed onboard training. The training may be accepted as part of the refresher and updating training required for revalidation of the certificate of proficiency, provided that the seafarer has completed at least 12 months of seagoing service within the preceding five years. The rest of the advanced fire-fighting training required by the STCW Code shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider Practical test instead of refresher and updating course The practical test replacing the refresher and updating course, as referred to in section 85 of the Decree, shall be completed ashore under the supervision of an approved training provider. 7.6 Proficiency of tanker personnel General provisions Duties related to cargo operations on board oil and chemical tankers, as referred to in section 15(1) of the Decree, include duties related to cargo handling equipment. A person with immediate responsibility for cargo handling, as referred to in section 15(2), (3) and (5), means a person taking decisions relating to loading and unloading cargo, cargo management during the voyage, cargo tank washing operations and other cargo-related operations. All deck and engine officers and other persons taking such decisions shall have a certifi-

11 11 (14) cate of proficiency, as referred to in section 15(2), (3) or (5), depending on the particular type of ship concerned Proficiency of personnel serving on fuel barges and small tankers engaged on domestic voyages Personnel with cargo-related duties on board a fuel barge or a tanker of less than 70 metres in length, engaged on domestic voyages, shall have a certificate of proficiency in basic safety training, as referred to in section 58 of the Decree, and a certificate of proficiency in basic training for oil and tanker cargo operations (section 68) or for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations (section 71), depending on the particular type of vessel they are serving on. In addition, persons referred to in section 15(2) of the Decree must have a certificate of proficiency in advanced training for oil tanker cargo operations (section 69), chemical tanker cargo operations (section 70) or liquefied gas tanker cargo operations (section 72), as applicable. 8 TRANSITIONAL ARRANGEMENTS 8.1 General provisions Under the transitional provisions of the Act on amending the Act on Ships Crew and the Safety Management of Ships (95/2013), the Finnish Transport Safety Agency may continue to issue certificates in accordance with the provisions of the Government Decree on the Manning of Ships and Certification of Seafarers (1797/2009), provided that the certificates will expire no later than 31 December Such certificates may be issued to seafarers who commenced their seagoing service, education and training programme or a training course, required under the provisions that applied before 1 July 2013, before the said Act entered into force. Certificates issued for an indefinite period of time in accordance with the provisions of the STCW Convention that applied immediately prior to 1 January 2012 are valid until 1 January Until 1 January 2017, both certificates meeting the requirements of the Manila amendments and certificates meeting the requirements of the STCW Convention but not those of the Manila Amendments may be issued. If all seagoing service required for the issue of a master s certificate has been completed before 1 January 2017 it may, if all other conditions are met, be accepted as entitlement to a master s certificate even if the required seagoing service has been completed on board a ship of less than gross tonnage. If all seagoing service required for the issue of a chief engineer certificate has been completed before 1 January 2017 it may, if all other conditions are met, be accepted as entitling to a chief engineer certificate, although the required seagoing service has been completed on board a ship powered by main propulsion machinery of less than kw propulsion power. 8.2 Certificates of competency for able seamen, motormen, ship s electricians, electrical engineers and watchkeeping ratings Certificates of competency for able seamen, motormen, electricians, electrical engineers and watchkeeping ratings issued prior to the entry into force of the Act on amending the Act on Ships Crew and the Safety Management of Ships (95/2013) do not meet the requirements of the Manila Amendments. These certificates must be exchanged for certificates meeting the requirements of the Manila Amendments before 1 January 2017.

12 12 (14) Seafarers who have completed at least 12 months of seagoing service as ratings in the deck department within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 need not complete additional training to exchange their able seamen s certificates for new able seafarer s certificates. Seafarers who have completed at least 12 months of seagoing service as ratings in the engine department within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 need not complete additional training to exchange their motorman s certificates for new motorman s certificates. Seafarers who have completed at least 12 months of seagoing service as ship s electricians within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 need not complete additional training to exchange their ship s electrician s certificates for new electro-technical rating s certificates. Seafarers who have completed at least 12 months of seagoing service as ship s electricians or electrical engineers within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 need not complete additional training to exchange their electrical engineer s certificates for new electro-technical officer s certificates. Seafarers who hold certificates as watchkeeping ratings (so called dual-purpose certificates under regulations II/4 and III/4 of the STCW Code) issued under the provisions of Decree No. 1797/2009, need not complete additional training to exchange their certificates for new ones, provided they have a total of at least four months of seagoing service in both the deck and the engine department or as dual-purpose ratings. 8.3 Certificates of competency for boatswains and repairmen Certificates of competency for boatswains and repairmen must be exchanged for certificates meeting the requirements of the Manila Amendments before 1 January A reference to regulation II/5 or III/5 of the STCW Convention is entered in the new certificates. Seafarers who have completed at least 12 months of seagoing service as ratings in the applicable department within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 need not complete any additional training to exchange their certificates. 8.4 Master s certificate, near-coastal voyages Seafarers certificated as watchkeeping officers under the Decree on the manning of ships, certification of seafarers and watchkeeping (1256/1997) or Decree No. 1797/2009 and who, for at least 12 months within the five years preceding 1 March 2013, have served as masters on board ships where certification as watchkeeping officer was the minimum standard of qualification for the master, are entitled to a master s certificate, near-coastal voyages, as referred to in section 25 of the Decree, without a master s examination required under section A-II/3 of the STCW Code. Certificates to be issued under this provision must be applied for before 1 January Restricted certificates for chief officers Seafarers certificated as watchkeeping officers under Decree No. 1256/1997 or 1797/2009 are entitled to a restricted certificate for chief officers (chief mate/master) under regulation II/2.3 of the STCW Convention, provided they have completed: 1. at least 12 months of seagoing service within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 on a ship of 500 gross tonnage or more, where certification as watchkeeping officer was the minimum standard of qualification for the master;

13 13 (14) 2. at least 12 months of seagoing service within the five years preceding 1 March 2013 on a ship of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in worldwide trade, where certification as watchkeeping officer was the minimum standard of qualification for the master; or 3. seagoing service consisting of the seagoing services mentioned in items 1 and 2 above, for a total of 12 months within the five years preceding 1 March Such chief officer s certificates are restricted to ships of less than gross tonnage, engaged on near-coastal voyages, and ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, engaged in worldwide trade. Certificates to be issued under this provision must be applied for before 1 January Chief engineer officer s certificates for ships powered by main propulsion machinery of less than kw propulsion power Seafarers certificated as watchkeeping engineer officers under Decree No. 1256/1997 or Decree No. 1797/2009 and who, for at least 12 months within the five years preceding 1 March 2013, have served as chief engineer officers on board ships where certification as watchkeeping engineer officer was the minimum standard of qualification for the chief engineer officer, are entitled to a chief engineer officer s certificate for ships powered by main propulsion machinery of less than kw propulsion power, as referred to in section 37 of the Decree, without an examination for chief engineer officer required under section A-III/3 of the STCW Code. Certificates to be issued under this provision must be applied for before 1 January Applying for certificates of proficiency when revalidating certificates of competency Seafarers revalidating their certificate of competency in accordance with the Manila amendments shall apply for a certificate of proficiency, if proficiencies are required in their capacity on board. All proficiencies which a seafarer is entitled to may be entered in a single certificate of proficiency. Certificates of proficiency listed in sections 67 to 76 of the Decree are, however, issued separately. Seafarers holding a certificate of competency which is valid indefinitely and which need not be revalidated in accordance with the Manila Amendments must apply for a new certificate of proficiency before 1 January Period of validity of certain certificates If a seafarer applies for revalidation of a certificate of competency, issued under the transitional provisions of this Regulation for a period expiring 31 December 2016, within six months before the expiry of the certificate, the new certificate may be issued for a period of validity of five years from the expiry of the existing certificate.

14 14 (14) 9 ENTRY INTO FORCE This Regulation enters into force on 1 August This Regulation repeals the Finnish Transport Safety Agency Regulation on certification of seafarers (26 February 2013, TRAFI/23173/ /2012). Tuomas Routa Deputy Director General Jukka Tuomaala Special Adviser NB: Unofficial translation, legally binding only in Finnish and Swedish Finnish Transport Safety Agency