Alternative courses for Bermuda offshore units

The Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority has published a Merchant Shipping Notice addressing offshore units, providing guidance on alternative courses and qualifications in place of STCW courses.

This notice applies to Ship Owners, Managers, Masters, and Seafarers of Bermuda Registered offshore units operating under the MODU Code.

Introduction

The purpose of this notice is to outline safety training courses and qualifications for cooks and non-marine ranks of seafarers (seafarers not forming part of the Minimum Safe Manning Document) acceptable to the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority.

Due to the unique operating and trading pattern of offshore units, the following safety training courses are acceptable to the Bermuda Shipping and Maritime Authority for service on Bermuda registered offshore units for ranks mentioned below:

a. Cook/Chief Cook: (assigned to the emergency organisation and first aid duties in the Muster List) can hold the first aid course certificate in accordance with the UK’s Approved Code of Practice for Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works in lieu of the STCW Medical First Aid Training certificate. Cooks/Chief Cooks holding the first aid course certificate in accordance with the UK’s Approved Code of Practice for Offshore Installations and Pipeline Works can be listed on the Minimum Safe Manning Document without the need for the STCW Medical First Aid Training certificate. Additionally, Cooks/Chief Cooks serving as assistant coxswain/muster checker can hold the OPITO Offshore Lifeboat Coxswain Initial Training (Twin Fall) certificate instead of the STCW Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boat course certificate.

b. Non-marine ranks of seafarers (seafarers not listed in the Minimum Safe Manning Document) can hold Offshore Basic Safety Training certificates such as BOSIET in lieu of STCW Basic Safety Training certificates as stipulated in the North Sea Mutual Recognition Scheme while the units are serving in the North Sea.

c. Notwithstanding the above, coastal state requirements on safety training must be adhered to by all Bermuda Registered Offshore units at all times.

The notice was published on 21 May 2024.

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