HL Deb 10 April 2001 vol 624 cc172-3WA
Earl Attlee

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether suitably qualified deck officers of the Royal Navy are able to acquire a merchant navy master's certificate; and, if so, what conditions are attached. [HL1619]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

On 7 December 1999, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) signed a memorandum of understanding with the Royal Navy. This recognised the components of the RN Seaman Branch training that meet the requirements for merchant navy deck officers as specified by the international Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW 95), to which the UK is a signatory.

The RN and MCA teams identified differences in the RN training when compared to the requirements for merchant ships. When these differences are made up, deck officer qualifications may be awarded following an Oral Examination before an MCA examiner of masters and mates.

There is no provision for an RN officer to be granted a master's certificate without first holding an STCW officer of the watch certificate followed by a chief mate's certificate. However, an accelerated route has been agreed, recognising the high quality of the RN training and experience.

Typically, the areas in which RN officers are required to undergo training, beyond that required for RN service, are cargo work, stability, medical care and shipmaster's business and law.