The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997

Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers and ratings on tankers

10.—(1) Officers and ratings assigned specific duties and responsibilities related to cargo or cargo equipment on tankers shall have completed an approved shore-based advanced fire-fighting course in addition to the training required by section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code and shall have completed:

(a) at least three months of approved seagoing service on tankers in order to acquire adequate knowledge of safe operational practices; or

(b) an approved tanker familiarization course covering at least the syllabus given for that course in section A-V/1 of the STCW Code.

(2) The period of three months referred to in sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) may be reduced to not less than one month if:—

(i) the tanker on which such service is performed is of less than 3,000 GT; and

(ii) the duration of each voyage of the tanker on which such approved service is performed does not exceed 72 hours, and

(iii) the operational characteristics of the tanker on which such approved service is performed and the number of voyages and loading and discharging operations completed during the period, allow the same level of knowledge and experience to be acquired as would have been acquired in approved service performed in accordance with sub-paragraph (a) of paragraph (1) on a tanker of a size, and performing voyages, not falling within sub-paragraphs (i) and (ii) above.

(3) Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or handling of cargo on tankers shall, in addition to meeting the requirements of paragraph (1), have:

(a) experience appropriate to their duties on the type of tanker on which they serve; and

(b) completed an approved specialized training programme at which at least covers the subjects set out in section A-V/1 of the STCW Code that are appropriate to their duties on the tanker on which they serve.

(4) An appropriate certificate shall be issued to masters and officers who are qualified in accordance with paragraph (1) or (3), or their existing certificate shall be endorsed, and every rating who is so qualified shall be certificated.