M.S. Notice 1 of 2008

Sub: Certificate of Proficiency for Ship Security Officer

1. Introduction

Consequent to the May, 2006 Amendments to the STCW Convention, as amended and the STCW Code, the training requirements for Ships Security Officers (SSOs) form part of the STCW Convention under Regulation VI/5 and the STCW Code under Section A-VI/5.

These requirements enter into force on 1st January 2008.

Reference is invited to the following International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Resolutions:

           MSC. 203(81) Adoption of amendments of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and   Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended and

           MSC. 209(81) 'Adoption of amendments of the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watch-keeping Code (STCW Code).

2. SSO training

Since SSO training was introduced under the ISPS Code, the Director General of Shipping, Government of India had required that all SSOs undergo training approved by the DGS. Approved Maritime Training Institutes are authorized to issue certificates bearing the statement:

This Certificate is issued under the authority of the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Shipping, Government of India

The DGS Approved SSO Course requirements have been compared with the standards of competence specified in STCW Code Chapter A-VI Table A-VI/5, and have been found to meet or exceed those specified in the said section of the code for certificate of Proficiency for Ship Security Officers.

3. Recognition of existing SSO certification

All DGS approved SSO courses meet the requirements of section A-VI/5 of STCW Code and therefore current SSO certificates issued by DGS Approved Maritime Institutes stand recognised in full till 1st .July. 2009.

However, holders of existing DGS-approved SSO certificates are required to obtain STCW format certificate from the DGS Approved Maritime Training Institute, which had issued the earlier certificates, in order to perform the functions of SSO on board after 1st. July.2009.

4. Format of New SSO Certificates

From 1st January 2008, all DGS-approved Maritime Training Institutes must issue SSO certificates in the new STCW Code format. A specimen certificate is given below:

This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and ex-officio Additional Secretary to the Government of India.

Sd/-

(Capt. R.K.Awasthi)

Nautical Surveyor cum Dy. Director General of Shipping (Tech.)