Maritime NZ has proposed changes to the SeaCert seafarer certification framework that would make it easier for those with some older certificates to continue working and is seeking industry feedback.
Consultation material is available online maritimenz.govt.nz/consultation.
The consultation will run until 7 June, with a series of public meetings planned around the country from mid-May.
There are currently a large number of different certificates held by seafarers, mostly issued under different regulations before 2000 and known as old or legacy certificates.
These are no longer released, and many do not have expiry dates, but under current rules holders must move to a new SeaCert certificate.
This step would involve a cost and mean the certificates would have to be renewed every five years.
After receiving feedback from industry about the impact on seafarers, Maritime NZ is proposing rule changes so that many of these certificates could be ring-fenced – meaning sailors could continue using the older tickets.
The proposal is that seafarers would have to register, free of charge, by 31 May 2017 if they wanted to ring-fence their certificates. Otherwise, their tickets will expire.
Ring-fencing is not available for all. A new tool on the Maritime NZ website allows seafarers to get specific advice on each certificate – maritimenz.govt.nz/legacy
Ring-fencing would not be an option for NZ Coastal Master, NZ Offshore Master, and NZ Offshore Watchkeeper certificates because they allow seafarers to work on vessels where international requirements apply.
However, it is proposed to extend the deadline for transition for these certificates.
Other proposed rule changes include removing the need for seafarers with Able Seaman certificates to change to SeaCert and no longer requiring ratings to renew certificates every five years. There are proposed changes to the passenger endorsement requirement.
Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch said the proposed changes would make life easier for most seafarers with senior tickets, and avoid delays processing a sudden influx of transition applications to meet the current 31 December 2016 deadline.
“We have listened to the industry, and our view is that there is no safety issue in allowing ring-fencing of much older or legacy certificates,” says Manch
“This allowance will reduce costs and avoid a last-minute rush of applications to transition by the end of the year that could result in a delay for seafarers being able to operate.”
Public consultation meetings (all meetings start at 6 pm, except Invercargill which starts at midday):
Monday 16 May – Wellington – Maritime NZ, 11th Floor, 1 Grey St, Wellington
Monday 23 May (midday start) – Invercargill – Ascot Park Hotel
Tuesday 24 May – Greymouth – Tai Poutini Polytechnic, 73-87 Tainui St Greymouth
Wednesday 25 May – Nelson – Port Nelson Ltd, 10 Low Street, Nelson
Thursday 26 May – Auckland – Marine Pollution Response Service (MPRS) – 755 Te Atatu Road, Te Atatu, Waitakere
Monday 30 May – Whangarei – Forum North, 7 Rust Avenue, Whangarei
Tuesday 31 May – Tauranga – Tauranga Yacht & Power Boat Club, 90 Keith Allen Drive, Tauranga.
