FURTHER EXTENSION OF STCW CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY SINGAPORE

FURTHER EXTENSION OF STCW CERTIFICATES ISSUED BY SINGAPORE

1 The Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) and Infocomm Media Development Authority of Singapore (IMDA) note that due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, some seafarers face challenges in renewing their certificates issued under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended (the STCW Convention).

2 The International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has on 2 April 2020, issued a Circular Letter No.4204/Add.5/Rev.1 to encourage STCW certificates issuing administrations to take a pragmatic and practical approach regarding the extension of certificates, including medical certificates, and endorsements due to the COVID-19 outbreak.

3 In line with the IMO’s guidelines and considering the persistent difficulties in revalidating STCW certificates due to COVID-19 pandemic, MPA and IMDA have decided to extend the validity of STCW certificates issued by Singapore as follows:

-- All Certificate of Competency, associated endorsements (e.g. tanker endorsements) and other certificates issued under Chapter VI of the STCW issued by MPA expiring between 01 October 2020 and 31 March 2021 may be extended for a period of six months from the date of expiry of the respective certificates; and

-- All GMDSS General/Restricted Operator certificates (GOC/ROC) issued by IMDA expiring between 01 October 2020 and 31 March 2021 may be extended for a period of six months from the date of expiry of the respective certificate.

4 The Seafarer shall complete the declaration form provided in Annex A of this circular and submit to MPA(COC@mpa.gov.sg) and/or IMDA( info@imda.gov.sg) respectively for the request to extend the validity of their certificate(s). MPA/IMDA will carry out assessment of the request accordingly and issue a letter or an email for confirmation of extension if the request is approved. If required, MPA/IMDA may schedule a telephone call or video-conference call with the Seafarer as part of the assessment.

5 A copy of the completed declaration form and the confirmation of extension issued by MPA and/or IMDA should be kept with the seafarer and may be used as proof of MPA/IMDA’s approval.

REVALIDAITION OF CERTIFICATES

6 Notwithstanding the above, seafarers who can renew their certificates before the expiry date of the certificate are strongly encouraged to apply for revalidation of the certificate before the expiry date. Certificates that are revalidated successfully will be extended for 5 years from the date of issue printed on the certificate.

7 Any queries regarding this circular should be directed to MPA (Email: COC@mpa.gov.sg) or IMDA (Email: info@imda.gov.sg)