MANILA, Aug. 15 (PNA) — The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) said that there is nothing new or controversial about the updating courses it is now requiring officer-in-charge (OICs) of engine and deck departments as a means of proving their competency in their chosen profession.
This was disclosed by MARINA Standards of Training, Certifications and Watchkeeping (STCW) spokesperson Chief Mate Mike Esplago.
He added this is the accepted practice for all major seafaring countries for their OICs.
“So other nations are expecting the Philippines to comply or follow suit,” he said in Filipino.
The updating courses the MARINA STCW spokesperson was referring was Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Circular No. 2015-03 which enumerates the updating requirements needed by officer-in-charge of engineering watch on seagoing ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more.
The STCW Circular intends to update the knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) of the above-mentioned officers, who were certified under the STCW’78 Convention, as amended in 1995, with the new competence and knowledge requirements and to revalidate their Certificate of Competency (COC) under the Manila 2010 Amendments.
“Additionally, this updating training covers certain KUPs leading to Management Level Marine Engineering competencies that are now incorporated in the new Bachelor of Science in Marine Engineering (BSMarE) curriculum to align and prepare that aforementioned Offices in taking the new Management Level Course for Marine Engineer Officers,” the MARINA circular stated.
Entrants to this training program must be officers-in-charge of an engineering watch (OIC-EW) on seagoing ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more who are holders of COC issued under Regulation III/1 of the STCW’78 Convention, as amended in 1995.
“There is no particular exemption from any part of this training program. However, in accordance with Regulation III/1 in relation to Section A-III/1, paragraph [8] of the STCW Convention, the topics about Steam and Gas Turbine relating to marine propulsion plant machinery are not covered by this updating training. Thus, the COC of an OIC-EW who completed this updating training shall indicate a “limitation on Steam and Gas Turbines” once revalidated in accordance with the 2010 Amendments to the STCW Convention,” the maritime agency added.
Esplago said the content of the course is about the difference between the 1995 and 2010 Convention which they divided into two parts, both of which are mandatory.
“They need to take Part A immediately to get a certification for five years while Part B can be taken later on. Part A is requisite for OICs to get five-year certificates and Part B is a requisite for Management Level Course,” the MARINA STCW spokesperson stressed.
The updating course for engine runs for 276 hours.
While STCW Circular No. 2015 -13, has released the requirement needed for the updated training for officers-in-charge of a navigational watch on seagoing ships weighing 500 gross tons or more.
This intends to update the knowledge, understanding and proficiency (KUP) of the above-mentioned mariners, who were certified under STCW’78 Convention, as amended in 1995, with the new competence and knowledge requirements and to revalidate their Certificate of Competency (COC) under the Manila 2010 Amendments.
Additionally, this updated training covers certain KUPs leading to Management Level Deck competencies that are now incorporated in the new Bachelor of Science in Marine Transportation (BSMT) curriculum to align and prepare the aforementioned Officers in taking the new Management Level Course for marine deck officers.
Entrants to this updating training must be officers-in-charge of a navigational watch on seagoing ships of 500 gross tonnage or more who are holders of COC issued under Regulation II/1 of the STCW’78 Convention, as amended in 1995. (PNA)