Does anyone know If I should get my company/vessel/facility security officer certificate applied to my STCW?? Will it expire in 5 years like some other things if it’s not?? Thanks for the help!
Cap16,
According to the new requirements you wil be required to have it on your STCW. But, it will be required that you have taken the course from an approved schoolfor it to be STCW valid.
Safe Sailing,
Brian
Thanks for the info Brian. I don’t understand how Massachusetts Maritime Academy cannot beon that list though. It’s where I got my certificate only 3 years ago. It was supposed to be an STCW approved course. 
-Grayson
please clarify for me my understanding that the endorsement on the STCW certificate was required only if the mariner was in fact the VSO on the vessel which he serves?
c.captain, your understanding is my understanding and I believe we are correct.
Yep, but some have suggested that all officers should have it by virtue of taking the position during times of liberty of the VSO and such. I don’t agree with this opinion because that is exactly what it is.
[QUOTE=Cap16;10981]Does anyone know If I should get my company/vessel/facility security officer certificate applied to my STCW?? Will it expire in 5 years like some other things if it’s not?? Thanks for the help![/QUOTE]
You can go to the NMC website and they have the list of approved VSO course providers. Also the VSO must be placed on your license or STCW, your choice. However, placing it on your license costs you money and placing it on your STCW is free of charge. Houston REC told me it cannot just be carried until your next license renewal, it must be place on your license/STCW by July,2009 to be valid.
good luck