The International Maritime Organization has just issued a circular which essentially amounts to temporary relief for crew members who have yet to take their STCW Refresher Training.
Due to the large number of seafarers who do not yet hold certificates for updated safety training (refresher training) in accordance with the Manila amendments, the IMO have asked that Port State Control organisations take a ‘pragmatic and practical approach’ until 1 July 2017. This is simply a request, it is non-binding, but it will ease concerns about yachts being detained in the first half of 2017.
The Circular, MSC.1/Circ.1560, issued by the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, will soon be available to download from the IMO website and will be of interest to all management companies and yacht captains. The date for the implementation of the STCW Manila amendments will stay the same, 1 January 2017.
