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MARINE INFORMATION NOTE

MIN 332 (M)

Ship Security Officer Certification: Recognition

Note to all owners, masters, deck officers, engineer officers and ratings of merchant vessels, and those concerned with maritime training.

This note will expire 31 July 2009.

PLEASE NOTE:-  

Where this document provides guidance on the law it should not be regarded as definitive.   The way the law applies to any particular case can vary according to circumstances - for example, from vessel to vessel and you should consider seeking independent legal advice if you are unsure of your own legal position.

Summary

From 01 January 2008 the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) included training requirements for Ship Security Officers (SSOs).

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will accept an SSO certificate issued by another maritime administration if:

  • we already accept their Certificates of Competency (CoCs), and
  • the SSO certificate is issued under STCW Code A-VI/5.

For a printable version of this document click here (PDF, 266KB)

1.Introduction

1.1 From 01 January 2008 the STCW Code included training for SSOs, through International Maritime Organization (IMO) Resolutions:

  • MSC.203(81) ’Adoption of amendments of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended’ and
  • MSC.209(81) ’Adoption of amendments of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code)’.

1.2 Under the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997 the MCA accepts CoCs issued by some other maritime administrations for use on UK-registered vessels; but only if there is a successful application for a certificate of equivalent competency (CEC).

2.0 Recognition of SSO certificates

2.1The MCA will accept an SSO certificate issued by another maritime administration if:

  • we already accept their CoCs towards the issue of UK CECs, and
  • the SSO certificate is issued under STCW Code A-VI/5.

2.2 Therefore, personnel who have an accepted SSO certificate can serve on a UK-registered vessel as the SSO. They do not have to get an MCA SSO certificate.

2.3 A list of accepted CoCs is in the Annex; this was correct at the time of printing. You can get a current list of accepted CoCs from our website or contact us to check if there has been any update.



More Information

Seafarer Training & Certification Branch
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Bay 1/17
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton
SO15 1EG

Tel :+44 (0) 23 8032 9231
Fax : +44 (0) 23 8032 9252
e-mail: deck@mcga.gov.uk

General Inquiries: infoline@mcga.gov.uk

MCA Website Address:  www.mcga.gov.uk

File Ref:MC 124/001/0024

Published:July 2008
Please note that all addresses and telephone numbers are correct at time of publishing

© Crown Copyright 2008

Safer Lives, Safer Ships, Cleaner Seas

stc

Annex

List of maritime administrations whose CoCs are accepted by the MCA.

EU/EEA Member States Non EU/EEA Countries
Belgium Australia
Bulgaria Canada
Croatia Hong Kong
Czech Republic India
Denmark Iran
Estonia Jamaica
Faroe Islands Malaysia
Finland Myanmar
France New Zealand
Germany Pakistan
Greece Peoples Republic of China
Hungary Philippines
Iceland Republic of Korea
Italy Russian Federation
Latvia Serbia and Montenegro
Lithuania Singapore
Malta South Africa
Netherlands Sri Lanka
Norway Ukraine
Poland USA
Portugal
Republic of Ireland
Romania
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden

This list was correct at the time of printing.

You can get a current list of accepted CoCs from our website or contact us to check if there has been any update.