Information Memo COVID 19

Intention to extend the validity of safety, security and prevention of ships
pollution, social certification, STCW and STCW-F Certificates, endorsements,
documentary evidences for seafarers, and maritime education and training
institutions approvals, marine medical certificates for seafarers, during the state of
health emergency aimed at curbing the spread of the Covid-19 virus.

Context :

Exceptional circumstances ensuing from the state of health emergency, hamper
the regular functioning of State services, recognized organizations and maritime
professional training organizations. Consequently, the renewal or the visa of ships
certificates as well as the renewal of STCW and STCW-F certificates, training
documentary evidences, endorsements, and marine medical certificates for
seafarers, and which would expire during the state of health emergency, can no
longer take place.

Ships have safety and pollution prevention certificates, some of which derive from
the application of international conventions or European directives. Their issue,
renewal and validation are subject to visits on ships.

Due to the measures taken to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus,
ship visits cannot be carried out on time and according to the procedures laid
down. It follows that certain certificates will expire without the possibility of
maintaining their validity by carrying out a visit.

Seafarers hold certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency, training
documentary evidences attesting to their qualifications and professional
experience at sea, some of which come from the application of international
conventions and European directives. Also, seafarers in possession of a
Certificate of Competency (CoC) or certain Certificate of Proficency (CoP) issued
by an Administration other than France are in possession of a Flag State
endorsement issued by the French maritime authorities in order to work on French
flag vessels.

Their certification and continued professional competences are subject to the
completion of training in approved maritime professional training institution and
approved seagoing service.

Due to the implementation of measures to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19
coronavirus, maritime trainings have been suspended, vessel traffic has been
restricted. As a result, seafarers can no longer fulfill the conditions for certification
and continued professional competences. Similarly, the exercise of the activity of
maritime training institutions is restricted by the period of confinement reducing the
effective duration of their approvals.

Seafarers must also have a valid marine medical certificates to enter training, to
obtain or renew certificates or endorsements and to board. They must therefore
undergo a medical examination before the seafarers’ health doctor.

Due to measures taken to contain the outbreak of the COVID-19 coronavirus, this
visit is no longer possible.

The following provisions are therefore necessary for transport and maritime
services to keep going. They consist for the services of the French Maritime
Authorities in extending the validity of the various certificates (navigation, controls,
social certification, medical aptitude, training …) essential to ships operations and
which cannot be because of the circumstances related to the COVID 19.

These measures will be taken as soon as possible through the appropriate legal
channels according the international provisions recommended and decided by the
IMO on the matter.

Emergency provisions planned

In compliance with government provisions to fight against the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, and in order to allow ships to keep going their operations, the
validity of French vessels certificates, including navigation license, expiring
during the period of the state of health emergency are extended from this
expiration date, up to three months after the end of the state of health
emergency.

The safety management certificates (ISM), safety certification (ISPS) and
social certification (MLC and ILO188), may be kept valid according to the
instruction STEN INST / 001 of 03/09/2020 (annexed to this notice)

Provisions for STCW and STCW-F certificates, endorsements, documentary
evidences for seafarers, and maritime education and training institutions
approvals, issued by French maritime authorities :

In compliance with Government measures to fight against the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, and in order to allow seafarers and ships to keep going their
activities, the period of validity of the following documents is extended from the
end of their validity until three months after the end of the state of health
emergency set by the French law :

• STCW and STCW-F certificates of competency and certificates of
  proficency ;
• Documentary evidences of a training approved ;
• Flag State endorsements issued by the French Maritime authorities ;
• Recognition of professional qualifications certificates for seafarers on
  fishing vessels and shellfish sector ;
• Maritime education and training institutions approvals.

This extension only applies to documents whose validity has expired during the
health emergency period.

Provisions for medical certificates issued to seafarers by French maritime
authorities :

In compliance with Government measures to fight against the spread of the
COVID-19 virus, validity of medical certificates for seafarers essential for ships
operations expiring during the period of the state of emergency are extended from
the end of their validity up to three months after the end of the state of health
emergency.

The Director for Maritime
Affairs
Firmed
Thierry Coquil