Guidance

MIN 611 (M) Amendment 3: Guidance and Information to Follow in the Event of COVID-19 Outbreak Impacting UK Seafarer Services

Published 8 March 2021

This guidance was withdrawn on

MIN 611 Amendment 3 is no longer current.

© Crown copyright 2021

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/min-611-m-amendment-3-guidance-and-information-to-follow-in-the-event-of-covid-19-outbreak-impacting-uk-seafarer-services/min-611-m-amendment-3-guidance-and-information-to-follow-in-the-event-of-covid-19-outbreak-impacting-uk-seafarer-services

Notice to all Shipowners, Masters, Officers and all those concerned with seafarer training.

This MIN expires 30 June 2022

Summary

This MIN provides guidance and information on best practice during the disruption period caused by the COVID-19 pandemic that has impacted on essential Seafarer Training and Certification services delivered by the Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA).

1. Introduction

1.1 The MCA has put in place contingency plans to mitigate disruption to essential delivered services due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This has allowed the MCA to continue to issue or extend UK Certificates of Competency (CoC), UK Flag State Endorsements (FSE)/ Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CEC) and UK Certificates of Proficiency (CoP). In order to allow us to best follow these plans, we request that all seafarers in the process of applying to the MCA for UK certification follow the guidance below.

2. Guidance

2.1 From the publication date of this MIN, the MCA advises all seafarers to retain full and complete copies of any documentation (including application forms) that is required to be sent to the MCA. Further to the original guidance, the MCA’s process for applications has been updated in line with MIN 655 sections 3, 4 and 5.

2.2 For a UK CoC holder, the MCA can provide an exemption for those officers who are on board a vessel and their safety training has expired. This will be based on a self-declaration (as per the STCW 2010 Manilla Amendment requirements). This will be reviewed in the future taking into account the needs of the industry and the global outlook on COVID-19. Ship owners/operators should email exams@mcga.gov.uk to request this exemption.

2.3 In addition, the UK has put in place the following measures to enable seafarers with UK Certification, who cannot access training centres due to COVID-19, to work on board ships and support international trade by allowing:

  • The extension of validity to Certificates of Proficiency for Emergency, Occupational Safety and Survival Functions as defined in Chapter VI of the STCW Convention and Code, until 30 June 2022.
  • The extension of validity to Certificates of Proficiency for Tankers, Passenger Ships, ships subject to the IGF code and ships subject to the Polar Code as defined in Chapter V of the STCW Convention and Code, until 30 June 2022.

2.4 Further guidelines and Contingency Plans for the services provided to Seafarers and Shipowners by the MCA can be found through the following link:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/uk-seafarer-careers-training-provision-and-information#coronavirus-covid-19-contingency-plan-and-guidelines-for-seafarers

More Information

UK Seafarer Services
Maritime and Coastguard Agency,
Bay 2/11
Spring Place,
105 Commercial Road,
Southampton,
SO15 1EG.

Email: exams@mcga.gov.uk

General Enquiries: infoline@mcga.gov.uk

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