Marine Security Operations Bulletin 2012-002

File number: 4303-12

No :2012 - 002

ISSUE

INTERIM PROCEDURES TO MEET THE NEW MANILA 2010 STCW CONFERENCE AND CODE SECURITY TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION REQUIREMENTS WHICH CAME INTO EFFECT AS OF JANUARY 01, 2012.

Purpose:

To outline new interim requirements and implementation procedures to be followed for the issuance of training certificate and certificates of proficiency as a Ship Security Officer (SSO) and vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, effective January 1, 2012.

With transitional provisions under the revised Transport Canada program, subject to the proposed regulatory amendments of the Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) which should come into effect late 2012 or early 2013.

Background:

Since January 1, 2008, Transport Canada Marine Security implemented the Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training, which established the framework for the recognition of institutions and issuance of certificate of proficiency as SSO officers.

Pursuant to the decisions of the Assembly of the IMO that took place in Manila, the Philippines, from 21 to 25 June 2010, members adopted amendments to the  International Convention on Standards or Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 and the SCTW Code, in accordance with article XII (1) (b) (I) of the Convention.

New STCW amendments to the STCW Convention and Seafarers’ Training Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code) specify new training and certification standards for the issuance of Certificates of Proficiency to SSO, vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, effective January 1, 2012, including transitional provisions.

Transport Canada Marine Security is expanding the current “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training” to meet the new 2010 Manila STCW Conference and Code.

In keeping with the changes to the STCW Convention and Code, Transport Canada, Marine Security is currently in the process of amending the MTSRs and also introducing a revised program.

The current “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training”, dated December 2007,will be expanded, enhanced and renamed as to “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Training Courses” and based on those new STCW 2010 amendments.

Directive:

Transport Canada advises all vessel owners, operators, agents, masters, and company / ship security officers, and vessel’s personnel of SOLAS ships and surveyors that Amendments to the STCW Convention and Code specify new training and certification standards for the issuance of Certificates of Proficiency to SSO,  vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, effective January 1, 2012, including transitional provisions.
When any of the required documentation is available, it will be posted on the Transport Canada, Marine Security website.

Recognized Institutions:

All institutions that wish to be recognized in order for their graduates to receive a training certificate for the upcoming issuance of a certificate of proficiency would submit all information to Transport Canada, Marine Security.
In regards to the approval of new courses for vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, Transport Canada, Marine Security will approve such courses as an approved training course if Transport Canada, Marine Security determines that it meets the proposed MTSR amendments and the requirements established under the proposed “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Training Courses”.

Alist reflecting the Recognition status granted to institutions/organizations exclusively under Transport Canada's “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training / upcoming Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Training Courses”will be amended as new courses will be approved by Transport Canada.

Training Certificate Issuance:

Upon successful completion of an SSO, vessel security personnel with or without security responsibilities course, graduates will be issued a Transport Canada training certificate by the recognized training institution.

Transport Canada, Marine Security recognizes the current approved SSO course as meeting the new Manila 2010 STCW SSO requirements; therefore, individuals who are currently holding a Certificate of Proficiency as a SSO issued by Transport Canada will not be required to attend an upgraded SSO course at one of the recognized Institutions. Training Certificates that were issued under the “Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Officer Training” (December 2007), will be recognized for the issuance of a Certificate of Proficiency as a SSO.

Transitional Provisions:

Also, recognizing that there may be practical difficulties for all seafarers with security related requirements to obtain necessary certifications and/or the necessary endorsements required in accordance with STCW Regulation VI/5 and VI/6 of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the IMO issued two Circulars: STCW.7/Circ.16 and STCW.7/Circ.17 dated May 24th 2011. These Circulars provide advice for flag and port State control officers on transitional arrangements leading up to full implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments on 1 January 2017.

The Circulars also recommend that Administrations inform their flag and port State control authorities that, until 1 January 2014, it would be sufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code, even if a seafarer’s documentation with regard to the security-related training and certification in STCW Regulation VI/5 and VI/6 is not in accordance with the 2010 Manila Amendments.

In the proposed MTSR Amendments, the following four elements will apply as of January 1st, 2012:

Canadian Flagged Vessel

Until January 1, 2014*, vessel personnel with security responsibilities on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the Canadian flag who commenced sea service prior to January 1, 2012, are not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as ship personnel with security responsibilities if they can demonstrate, by training or job experience,knowledge and competence.

Until January 1, 2014*, vessel personnel without security responsibilities on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the Canadian flag who commenced sea service prior to January 1, 2012, are not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as ship personnel with security responsibilities if they can demonstrate, by training or job experience, knowledge and competence.

Foreign Flagged vessel

Until January 1, 2014*, vessel personnel with security responsibilities on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the flag of a foreign state are not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as ship personnel with security responsibilities if they provide documentation recognized by the contracting government of that state that demonstrates compliance with section 13.3 of Part B of the ISPS Code.

Until January 1, 2014*, vessel personnel without security responsibilities on a SOLAS ship that is entitled to fly the flag of a foreign state are not required to hold a certificate of proficiency as ship personnel with security responsibilities if they can provide documentation recognized by the contracting government of that state that demonstrates compliance with section 13.4 of Part B of the ISPS Code.

*Important Notice: Due to the fact that Transport Canada is currently in a consultation process in regards to the proposed MTSR amendments, the January 1, 2014 transitional date could be amended as required.

Issuance of new STCW Certificate of Proficiency:

Persons who are currently holding a 2008 format Certificate of Proficiency as a SSO issued by Transport Canada (# MPS-501 ) will not be required to replace them by the new “Records of Qualifications“ upcoming 2012 Transport Canada document.

Marine Security and Marine Safety Directorates have been working together for the establishment of a new document titled “Records of Qualifications” that will meet the STCW 2010 requirements and which will incorporate the new STCW certificate of proficiency as a SSO and vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities.

Candidates subject to the granting of the “Records of Qualifications” will be informed once Transport Canada is ready to issue these new and revised format documents as well as the criteria to obtain a Transport Canada “Certificate of Proficiency” through its official website.

In order to obtain a Transport Canada certificate of proficiency, a person must provide the training certificate as proof of having successfully graduated from a course provided by a recognized institution specifically for the corresponding SSO (in force since 2008), ship security personnel with or without security responsibilities training as defined in the proposed “Marine Transportation Security Regulations” (MTSR); and who will have met TC’s requirements (sea service, age, citizenship, training, etc...) will be issued a MTSR/STCW compliant Certificate of Proficiency, which will be issued at a regional TC Marine Safety examiner center.

In the proposed alternative MTSR provision for vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities before January 1, 2014, the person who commenced sea service prior to January 1, 2012 would be required, amongst other requirements, to provide the Minister a Transport Canada testimonial indicating that the person undertook the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of the relevant table A-VI/6-1 or A-VI/6-2 of the STCW Code; and has seagoing service for a period of at least six months in total, calculated in accordance with sections 115, 116 and 118 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, during the preceding three years of its application.

An electronic Transport Canada form titled “Testimonial of Security Duties Performed” and its related information process will be available in the near future for download on the Transport Canada Marine Security website: 

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesecurity/education-training-299.htm

The person may also chose to successfully complete the relevant Approved Security Training course at a recognized institution, under the upcoming "Recognition Program for Approved Ship Security Training Courses". The person will also be required to meet other Transport Canada requirements (sea service, age, citizenship, training, etc...) before being issued with a MTSR/STCW compliant Certificate of Proficiency as vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, which will be issued at a regional Transport Canada Marine Safety Examiner Center.

Please be aware that pursuant to Part 2, Division 8, sections 275 and 276 of the Marine Personnel Regulations, no person shall be employed as a seafarer, unless that person provides Transport Canada with :

• a completed medical examination report form

OR

• A provisional medical certificate for the Minister in the form established by him.

It is important to note that other requirements apply to Canadian Seafarers. For additional information on those requirements, please contact Transport Canada, Marine Safety.

Vessel owners, operators, masters and agents are requested to bring this bulletin to the attention of Company Security Officers, Ship Security Officers and all vessel personnel. They also must ensure that Ship Security Officers of SOLAS ships hold MTSR/STCW compliant Certificates of Proficiency. All vessel personnel with or with security responsibilities must  hold a relevant MTSR/STCW compliant Certificates of  Proficiency.

In the event that the person does not hold a Certificate of Proficiency as vessel personnel with or without security responsibilities, the person shall demonstrate compliance with the Transitional provisions stated above.

To all parties concerned, please take note that the above information is subject to changes and will depend of the proposed MTSRs amendments which has been under consultation process since 2009.

Further information are available on the Transport Canada Marine Security website :

http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesecurity/menu.htm

Any comments, suggestions or concerns can be addressed to the Director of Marine Security Operations at: dirops.marsec-sumar@tc.gc.ca

Original signed by Dean Fuller
Director
Marine Security Operations

Dated: 09 March 2012

Related source documents:necessary certifications

• The Manila amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
• Marine Transportation Security Regulations (MTSR) and proposed regulatory amendments