Hi all
I am trying to get NMC to remove the “lookout duties only” restriction removed from my STCW certificate. I took a class last year. My understanding was that after I took that class, I had a year to acquire 60 additional days on appropriate tonnage and routes to get the final 3 assessments signed off. This I did, and turned in my application to the REC. This morning I got a call from an evaluator at NMC saying that I needed to have not 60, but 180 days to get the qualification. This I do not have.
I’ve written the following letter. Would you people here mind looking at it and letting me know if there is something else I might be able to do or state differently in order to support my point of view?
"We spoke the morning of 17 Nov 08 over the phone in regards to your concern about my application for removing the “Lookout Duties Only” restriction from my STCW certificate.
NMC Policy letter 14-02 Enclosure (1), Part 3, subsection a. states:
- Applicants for the STCW certification must provide evidence of:
a. Either six months of approved, seagoing service that includes training and experience
associated with navigational watchkeeping functions and involves duties carried out under the
direct supervision of the master, officer in charge of the navigational watch or qualified
ratings; or
b. Satisfactory completion of a course approved or accepted as “special training” required by the STCW plus a period of approved seagoing service. The length of the period of
approved seagoing service will be specified as part of the course’s approval and will not be less than two months;
The way I understand this, a mariner has 2 ways to qualify for this STCW certification. Either serve 180 days and get the 21 assessments signed off, or, take the course, which reduces the requirement to 60 days. The final 3 assessments are signed off during that period. This is what I did.
I believe that I qualify for this certification. I attended an RFPNW course. That course is accepted as “special training” required by 14-02. The seagoing service is reduced from 180 days to 60 days, and one must complete those training days within a year. I did this and turned in my application on 15 October 08.
I hope that this clears this up. I am hoping to get this certificate in order to advance in my maritime career.
Thank you for taking the time to review this with me. If you have any other concerns or questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me either through my email of my cell. I will respond in a timely manner."
Thanks in advance for any help you folks might be willing to offer…
Tim