Members and Applicants are reminded of the deadline for the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments that fully came into force on January 1, 2017. As you know, the implementation of the Amendments requires mariners, primarily those sailing on near-coastal and foreign voyages, to be in compliance with a new regime of training and assessments.

If a Member/Applicant has 'Not valid after Dec. 31st, 2016' on their STCW endorsements of his/her MMC, he/she cannot be dispatched for a shipping job off the board if that job runs into 2017 – even for a day. This milestone will occur for 90-day rotaries on jobs reporting after October 3rd.

In addition to the "gap-closing" courses that M.E.B.A. mariners have been taking in ERM, MEECE, Leadership & Management, Leadership & Teamwork, and ECDIS (for Deck Officers); there are new requirements that will take effect the first time a mariner renews an MMC with STCW endorsements on or after January 1, 2017. These additional rules apply to renewal of Basic Training, Advanced Fire Fighting, and Proficiency in Survival Craft; which requires evidence of revalidation training, refresher training, or a retake of the original training course – depending on sea-time since the last renewal.

Basic Training (BT): To renew their BT endorsement, mariners must provide evidence of maintaining the standard of competence in Basic Training as found in 46 CFR 11.302(b) or 46 CFR 12.602(b). This means: providing evidence of completing a BT training course; or providing evidence of 1-year sea service in the previous 5 years and providing evidence of completing BT revalidation training; or providing evidence of completing BT refresher training.

Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF): To renew their STCW officer endorsement(s), mariners must provide evidence of maintaining the standard of competence in Advanced Fire Fighting as found in 46 CFR 11.303(b). This means providing evidence of completing an AFF training course; or providing evidence of 1-year sea service in the previous 5 years and providing evidence of completing AFF revalidation training; or providing evidence of completing AFF refresher training.

Proficiency in Survival Craft (PSC): To renew their PSC endorsement, mariners must provide evidence of maintaining the standard of competence in proficiency in survival craft as found in 46 CFR 12.613(b) or 46 CFR 12.615(b). This means providing evidence of completing a PSC training course; or providing evidence of 1-year sea service in the previous 5 years and providing evidence of completing PSC revalidation training; or providing evidence of 1-year sea service in the previous 5 years and providing evidence of meeting the requirements for BT renewal as described above; or providing evidence of completing PSC refresher training.