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An essential criterion for safe navigation is adequate manning of vessels
with qualified seafarers. The International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (1978) as amended on 7 July 1995
(STCW Convention) set minimum standards for the qualification of seafarers and
the issue of Certificates of Competency. The BSH has the following responsibilities
under the provisions of the Convention:
- verification of German certificates of competency, certificates of equivalent competency, and endorsements of recognition
- to provide advice to masters, officers, and ratings in professional
matters
- issue of "On Board Training Record Book" (distribution
agents / report)
- issue of radio operator's certificates (info leaflet in
German / application form in German / application
form for revalidation in German)
- General Operator's Certificate (GOC)
- Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC)
- VHF Radio Operator's Certificate (UBZ)
- issue of endorsements of foreign Radio Operator's Certificates (info
leaflet / application form)
- issue of certificates of competency to ratings forming part of a navigational
watch (bridge and engine room) (info leaflet in German / application form
in German)
- issue of certificates for service on board oil, chemical, and liquified
natural gas tankers (info leaflet
in German / application form
in German)
- issue of certificates for service on board passenger ships other than
ro-ro passenger ships (info leaflet in
German / application form
in German)
- issue of a certificate of proficiency as a ship security officer (SSO) (info leaflet in German / application form in English)
- to maintain a register of seafarers' certificates and provide information
to foreign and domestic authorities and shipping companies
- certification and assessment of training of personnel serving on certain
ship types (tankers / ro-ro passenger ships / passenger ships other than
ro-ro passenger ships)
- assessment of the qualification and experience of older masters and
officers in conjunction with the replacement of superseded Certificates
of Competency and training documents
- recognition of military professional training, certification and employment
in the German Navy (ratings, navigation or engineering service) for civilian
employment
- handling of individual cases in which the official requirements regarding
professional training and seagoing service required for admission to a navigation
school or the issue of a Certificate of Competency are not fully met (e.g.
duration of training or service) (non-compliance with official training
requirements)
- issue of German Certificates of Competency to foreign nationals
- assessment of foreign Certificates of Competency and other certificates
of service, recognition of their equivalence to German Certificates of Competency
and certificates of service
Please download the required application form (Word or PDF).
The issue of Certificates of Competency, certificates of service and other
certificates and documents as well as notifications is subject to payment of
a fee.
Since 1 August 2002, compliance with the STCW Convention has been strictly
enforced according to the Paris and Tokyo MOU (Memorandum of Understanding)
(pdf file, see Paris MOU, Tokyo MOU).
In
case you have any additional questions, please contact our Collegues.
In case you have any questions relating to small-craft licences, please contact
Deutscher Seglerverband (DSV) or Deutscher Motoryachtverband (DMYV).
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