The fact that the certificates have been computer generated and then printed for decades and the same flag states couldnt do digital certs online just shows have behind the times shipping is and or how it supports corruption?
Try checking a Filipino one, they eventually come back and say its real so you ask how did they get it and there is no record of that.
Imagine getting stopped by the police in your car with a license you printed and they have to accept as they cant check at the time.
Exactly, it is unbelievable that in this day and age all certification isnât digital yet.
In Europe certification for offshore rig workers went digital about 20 years ago, bizarre that the shipping industry is still so far behind.
I think part of the problem with the lack of progress in the shipping industry is that they are too many âstick-in-the-mudâ people holding prominent decision making positions, they are too attached to doing things the old inefficient way when there are better options on the table.
I asked the office once if I can do a forensic document course to check the crews certificates as thats the responsibility they are passing on board for original documents.
I asked about duplicates and replicants being on board, ahh?
They laughed and agreed but that was for Cyprus Flag and thats in the EU??
Its just the long list of where life on a vessel is decades behind the land.
It is not the Flagâs issue, but instead the majority of PSCâs around the world, that do not, or do not understand how to verify E-Certs/Digital Certs. That is the main issue. Any Flag State could issue a digital certificate, but if that vessel goes to a port where the PSC tries to verify, doesnât understand what to do, nor has approved digital certificates for that coastal state, than it doesnât matter, a paper copy will still need to be issued. The system is broken down as a whole.