Bahamas issues Training and Certification Requirements for Persons sailing on ships subject to the Polar Code

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued a marine notice about the training and certification requirements for persons sailing on ships subject to the Polar Code.

This notice was published on February 15th, 2023, and became effective on the same date.

It is addressed to all shipowners, managers, masters, approved nautical inspectors, recognised organisations, and surveyors.

Effective 01 July 2018, The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) requires personnel on board ships subject to the International Code for ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) to have appropriate training and certification.

This Marine Notice outlines the training, instruction, and certification requirements for Masters’ and Deck Officers serving on Bahamian registered ships that are subject to the Polar Code.

This Marine Notice should be read in conjunction with Bahamas Maritime Authority’s (BMA) Marine Notices MN-050, MN-012, MN-028, MN-014, MN-015, MN-016, MN-029, MN-017, MN-018, MN-027, MN-013, MN-004, MN-019 and any other BMA Publications relating to training and certification of seafarers.

This Marine Notice applies to:

• All Bahamian ships to which the Polar Code is applicable,
• All persons serving or intending to serve on Bahamian ships to which the Polar Code is applicable in a capacity for which additional training is required,
• Companies employing, recruiting, or selecting the seafarers noted above for service on board Bahamian ships to which the Polar Code is applicable.

In accordance with the STCW requirements, the Bahamas requires all applicable persons serving on board ships subject to the Polar Code to have a valid Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) that relates to Polar Code training appropriate to their assigned shipboard duties.

The Polar Code training shall satisfy the requirements specified in STCW Code A-V/4 and be approved.

Every candidate for a Basic Training Certificate for ships operating in polar waters shall have successfully completed an approved training course for Basic Training for ships operating in polar waters.

Basic Training for ships operating in polar waters shall satisfy the requirements STCW A-V/4-1.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):

RELEVANT DOCUMENTS:

Training and Certification Requirements for Persons sailing on ships subject to the Polar Code