§ Mr. LazarowiczTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many applications for dispensation from the requirement to validate certificates to STCW 95 standards have been granted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. [26700]
§ Mr. SpellarThe Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), has granted no dispensations from the requirement to validate certificates to STCW 95 standards. No revalidation to STCW 95 will be given unless the necessary short courses have been completed.
However, a lack of places on short training courses has meant that some officers have not been able to revalidate in time for the 1 February deadline. In December, with the support of industry and the officers' union NUMAST, the MCA issued an Advice Note that enables dispensations to be applied for up to 31 January 2002, with a maximum validity of up to 31 July 2002. These are issued under Article VIII of STCW 95, are ship specific, non-renewable and apply only to officers serving below the ranks of Master and Chief Engineer, enabling them to complete the necessary courses. The number of those applying for these dispensations will not be known until later in February.