Posted:
June 25, 2009
STAR Center VSO course completion certificates meet requirement for STCW endorsement
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that, through Sept. 1, 2009, proof of application for an STCW vessel security officer endorsement accompanied by a vessel security officer course completion certificate will meet the requirements for the STCW Vessel Security Officer Endorsement. Prior to this extension, designated vessel security officers were to be required to hold the endorsement by July 1.
The Vessel Security Officer Course provided by STAR Center meets the requirement for the STCW VSO endorsement and American Maritime Officers members and applicants who hold a VSO course completion certificate from STAR Center already have the required certificate and endorsement.
The requirement for designated vessel security officers to hold a VSO endorsement establishing proof of vessel security training meeting STCW standards was implemented by the Coast Guard under a rulemaking that went into effect in June 2008. Under the rulemaking, mariners working as designated vessel security officers aboard any vessel subject to the STCW Convention had been required to obtain such an endorsement by July 1, 2009. The Coast Guard explained that a large number of mariners have applied for but will not receive an STCW Vessel Security Officer Endorsement prior to July 1.
The STAR Center Vessel Security Officer Course is certified by DNV for the Maritime Administration and has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard as meeting STCW requirements for vessel security officer training.
Since January 2008, the course completion certificates issued by STAR Center include a notation of the course's compliance with STCW requirements. For AMO members who completed the Vessel Security Officer Course at STAR Center prior to January 2008, the course completion certificate does not contain the STCW notation; however, the Coast Guard has said that those certificates will be recognized as meeting U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard has said international port-state control authorities have been notified that the STAR Center Vessel Security Officer Course meets STCW requirements and course completion certificates from STAR Center will be accepted, even those without the STCW notation.
AMO members with questions regarding VSO training and certification at STAR Center can contact STAR Center Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507 or by .
The Coast Guard announcement regarding this temporary enforcement measure is available online.
Vessel Security Officer Endorsement: Coast Guard will accept proof of application with course completion certificate through Sept. 1, 2009
STAR Center VSO course completion certificates meet requirement for STCW endorsement
The U.S. Coast Guard has announced that, through Sept. 1, 2009, proof of application for an STCW vessel security officer endorsement accompanied by a vessel security officer course completion certificate will meet the requirements for the STCW Vessel Security Officer Endorsement. Prior to this extension, designated vessel security officers were to be required to hold the endorsement by July 1.
The Vessel Security Officer Course provided by STAR Center meets the requirement for the STCW VSO endorsement and American Maritime Officers members and applicants who hold a VSO course completion certificate from STAR Center already have the required certificate and endorsement.
The requirement for designated vessel security officers to hold a VSO endorsement establishing proof of vessel security training meeting STCW standards was implemented by the Coast Guard under a rulemaking that went into effect in June 2008. Under the rulemaking, mariners working as designated vessel security officers aboard any vessel subject to the STCW Convention had been required to obtain such an endorsement by July 1, 2009. The Coast Guard explained that a large number of mariners have applied for but will not receive an STCW Vessel Security Officer Endorsement prior to July 1.
The STAR Center Vessel Security Officer Course is certified by DNV for the Maritime Administration and has been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard as meeting STCW requirements for vessel security officer training.
Since January 2008, the course completion certificates issued by STAR Center include a notation of the course's compliance with STCW requirements. For AMO members who completed the Vessel Security Officer Course at STAR Center prior to January 2008, the course completion certificate does not contain the STCW notation; however, the Coast Guard has said that those certificates will be recognized as meeting U.S. Coast Guard requirements. Additionally, the U.S. Coast Guard has said international port-state control authorities have been notified that the STAR Center Vessel Security Officer Course meets STCW requirements and course completion certificates from STAR Center will be accepted, even those without the STCW notation.
AMO members with questions regarding VSO training and certification at STAR Center can contact STAR Center Director of Member Training and Officer Development Jerry Pannell at (800) 445-4522 ext. 7507 or by .
The Coast Guard announcement regarding this temporary enforcement measure is available online.