Posted:
February 21, 2014
The new USCG final rule on STCW 2010 has been published and defines the compliance dates for mariners who already hold the required credentials to sail ('existing mariners' below).
The detailed regulations and supporting USCG NVIC guidance are being analyzed by STAR Center, and the guidance provided below will be updated as more information becomes available. It is important to understand the new USCG STCW requirements and to take the necessary steps to comply with the dates specified by the regulations. Following the steps below will assist in developing an initial understanding of how the new requirements will affect you. This information is available on the STAR Center website.
Step 1 - Review important STCW transitional dates and grandfathering provisions:
Mariners who have a current USCG STCW endorsement as of March 24, 2014 are provided grandfathering and transitional provisions to meet USCG/STCW requirements. NVIC 02-14 provides guidance regarding grandfathering and transitional provisions and is available online.
The following information is only for merchant mariners who hold an STCW endorsement/credential issued before March 24, 2014.
Dates for compliance for existing mariners:
Mariners who apply for an endorsement based on service or training that was started before March 24, 2014
STCW requirements for original endorsement, renewal, and raise of grade of an existing endorsement:
Master and chief mate - STCW management level, deck:
Guidance on meeting the requirements of the U.S. Coast Guard's final rule implementing the 2010 amendments to STCW
The new USCG final rule on STCW 2010 has been published and defines the compliance dates for mariners who already hold the required credentials to sail ('existing mariners' below).
The detailed regulations and supporting USCG NVIC guidance are being analyzed by STAR Center, and the guidance provided below will be updated as more information becomes available. It is important to understand the new USCG STCW requirements and to take the necessary steps to comply with the dates specified by the regulations. Following the steps below will assist in developing an initial understanding of how the new requirements will affect you. This information is available on the STAR Center website.
Step 1 - Review important STCW transitional dates and grandfathering provisions:
Mariners who have a current USCG STCW endorsement as of March 24, 2014 are provided grandfathering and transitional provisions to meet USCG/STCW requirements. NVIC 02-14 provides guidance regarding grandfathering and transitional provisions and is available online.
The following information is only for merchant mariners who hold an STCW endorsement/credential issued before March 24, 2014.
Dates for compliance for existing mariners:
- 1/1/2014: security endorsement required by STCW 2010
- 3/24/14: final rule effective date - Part 13 Tankerman Regulations in full effect
- 1/1/2017: STCW regulations in full effect - all existing mariners to whom STCW applies must be in full compliance with the grandfathering and transitional provisions. STCW renewal requirements for revalidation of Basic Training, Advanced Firefighting, Survival Craft and Fast Rescue Boat endorsements take effect when renewing after this date.
- Renewals: existing mariners can sail and renew their current STCW endorsement/credential without additional required training until Jan. 1, 2017.
- Gap closing: all existing mariners must complete gap-closing training requirements and submit certificates of completion to the USCG prior to Jan. 1, 2017 for their credential to be valid after that date.
- Upgrading: if you are an existing mariner and are in the process of upgrading your license (credential) during the transitional period, the table below lists the provisions for this process.
- Mariners may upgrade based upon the regulations in place prior to March 24, 2014 and be issued their new license.
- Once a new license is obtained during the transitional period, the gap-closing requirements for the new license must be completed by Jan. 1, 2017.
Mariners who apply for an endorsement based on service or training that was started before March 24, 2014
STCW requirements for original endorsement, renewal, and raise of grade of an existing endorsement:
- Mariners may qualify for an endorsement under the previous regulations until Dec. 31, 2016.
- Mariners qualifying under 46 CFR 11.301(g)(3) must meet the additional training requirements specified in the regulations for the specific endorsement sought by Dec. 31, 2016.
- Mariners who do not provide documents showing the completion of the additional requirements will receive a limitation, as appropriate, on their endorsement noting that it is not valid after Dec. 31, 2016, or that it is not valid for certain vessels and/or equipment after Dec. 31, 2016.
Master and chief mate - STCW management level, deck:
- Leadership and managerial skills
- ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with ECDIS (ECDIS certificates previously earned at STAR Center meet this requirement)
- Engine room resource management, if not completed at the operational level
- Leadership and managerial skills
- Management of electrical and electronic control equipment
- Evidence of meeting the standard of competence in leadership and team working skills
- ECDIS, if serving on a vessel with this equipment (ECDIS certificates previously earned at STAR Center meet this requirement)
- Engine room resource management
- Evidence of meeting the standard of competence in leadership and team working skills