NVIC 08-14: Basic Training qualification guidelines for STCW endorsements

Commandant US Coast Guard Stop 7509 United States Coast Guard 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave. SE Washington, DC 20593-7509 Staff Symbol: CG-MMC Phone: (202) 372-2357 Fax: (202) 372-1246 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721 NVIC 8-14 18 Sep 2019 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 8-14, CH-1 Subj: CH-1 TO GUIDELINES FOR QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS IN BASIC TRAINING (FORMERLY BASIC SAFETY TRAINING), NVIC 8-14, COMDTPUB 16721 Ref: (a) Guidelines for Qualification for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training), NVIC 8-14, COMDTPUB 16721

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to NVIC 8-14.

PURPOSE. This Commandant Change Notice publishes CH-1 to NVIC 8-14.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — ACTION. The Coast Guard will use reference (a), 46 CFR 11.302, and 46 CFR 12.602 to establish

whether mariners are qualified in Basic Training (BT). Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should also bring this notice to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones of responsibility.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — DIRECTIVES AFFECTED. With the release of this Commandant Change Notice, NVIC 8-14 is

updated.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — DISCUSSION.

a. NVIC 8-14 included grandfathering provisions for mariners to demonstrate continuing competency in BT that expired on January 1, 2017. This change notice removes the expired grandfathering provisions. b. The Coast Guard has become aware of confusion over whether mariners who serve on vessels that are in operation and do not get underway, including, but not limited to, vessels in reduced operating status (ROS), may use their service to demonstrate having maintained the standard of competence for some of the components of BT. This change notice adds language to clarify that this service may be used for this purpose if the vessels hold regular fire and emergency drills. c. Enclosure (1) of NVIC 8-14 incorrectly stated that mariners who cannot meet the requirement for 1 year of sea service within the last 5 years will be required complete an approved or accepted BT revalidation course. As specified in 46 CFR 11.302(e) and 12.602(e), these mariners must complete approved or accepted refresher training. This change notice corrects that error. DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 170 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X C X X D E X X F G H X X NON-STANDARD DISTRIBUTION: COMDTCHANGENOTE 16721

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — DISCLAIMER. This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a

regulation. It is not intended to, nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party. It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance with applicable law. You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — MAJOR CHANGES. This Commandant Change Notice revises the guidance found in Enclosure (1)

of NVIC 8-14 to: a. Remove grandfathering provisions that expired on January 1, 2017; b. Clarify whether mariners serving on vessels that do not get underway may use their service to establish having maintained the standard of competence for in BT; and c. Correct an error concerning the type of required training for mariners who cannot meet the requirement for one year of service within the previous five years. These mariners need to complete an approved or accepted Basic Training Refresher course.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS.

a. The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed under Department of Homeland Security Directive 023-01 and Environmental Planning COMDTINST 5090.1 (series) by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) from further environmental analysis under paragraph A3 in Table 3-1 of U.S. Coast Guard Environmental Planning Implementing Procedures 5090.1. Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #A3 is appropriate. b. This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — DISTRIBUTION. No paper distribution will be made of this Commandant Change Notice. An

electronic version will be located at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic.

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — PROCEDURE. Remove and insert the following pages of Enclosure (1) to NVIC 8-14:

Remove Insert Enclosure (1) Enclosure (1) CH-1

CH-1 to Guidelines for Qualifications for STCW Endorsements in Basic Training (Formerly Basic Safety Training) — RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. This Commandant Change Notice has been

thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with the Federal Records Act (44 U.S.C. Commandant 2703 Martin Luther King Jr. Ave.SE United States Coast Guard Washington, DC 20593-7501 Staff Symbol: CG-CVC-4 Phone: (202) 372-2357 E-Mail: MMCPolicy@uscg.mil COMDTPUB 16721 NVIC 08-14 17 JAN 2014 NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 08-14 Subj: GUIDELINES FOR QUALIFICATION FOR STCW ENDORSEMENTS IN BASIC TRAINING (FORMERLY BASIC SAFETY TRAINING) Ref: (a) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), Regulation VI/1 and Section A-VI/1 thru 4 of STCW Code, incorporated into regulations at 46 Code of Federal Regulations

(CFR) 12.103 1.

PURPOSE.

This Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circular (NVIC) provides guidance for qualification and revalidation in Basic Training (BT). 2.

ACTION.

The Coast Guard will use this NVIC to establish that candidates are qualified in BT as specified in 46 CFR 11.301(b) and 46 CFR 12.601(c).

Officers in Charge, Marine Inspection (OCMIs) should bring this NVIC to the attention of the maritime industry within their zones.

This NVIC is available on the World Wide Web at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvic/.

The Coast Guard will distribute it by electronic means only. 3.

DIRECTIVES AFFECTED.

This NVIC cancels NVIC 05-00, Guidance on Performance Measures Used to Assess Seafarers’ Proficiency in Programs in Basic Safety Training Meeting the Requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, and National Maritime Center (NMC) Policy Letter 12-01, Continuing Competency in Basic Safety Training (BST). 4.

BACKGROUND.

DISTRIBUTION – SDL No. 162 a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z A B X X X X X C X X D X X E X X F G H NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 08-14 a.

The STCW Convention and STCW Code set forth standards for training and certification for merchant mariners, including BT for mariners serving with assigned duties for safety and/or pollution prevention. b.

In order to implement the 1995 amendments to STCW, the Coast Guard published NVIC 05-01 and NMC Policy Letter 12-01 providing guidance on requirements for BT. c.

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) amended the STCW Convention and STCW Code on June 25, 2010.

These amendments entered into force for all ratifying countries on January 1, 2012. d.

The Convention is not self-implementing; therefore, the U.S., as a signatory to the STCW Convention, must initiate regulatory changes to ensure full implementation of the amendments to the STCW Convention and STCW Code.

The U.S. implements these provisions under the Convention and under the authority of United States Code, Titles 33 and 46. e.

The Coast Guard published a final rule on December 24, 2013 (78 FR 77796) that implements the STCW, including the 2010 amendments.

The Coast Guard is publishing this NVIC to provide guidance on complying with the new regulations and is cancelling previous policy.

Accordingly, this NVIC cancels NVIC 05-01 and NMC Policy Letter 12-01. 5.

DISCUSSION. a.

The following policy regarding BT is in this NVIC.

Enclosure (1) discusses competency requirements for BT; Enclosure (2) contains the national assessment guidelines for BT; and Enclosure (3) contains relevant excerpts from the STCW Convention and STCW Code. b.

As specified in 46 CFR 15.1105, all mariners serving in positions that must be filled as part of the required crew complement or who are assigned a responsibility on the muster list,must produce evidence of having achieved, and maintained at 5-year intervals, proficiency in BT.

Training courses and programs designed to meet 46 CFR 15.1105 submitted to the Coast Guard for approval, must provide assessment guidelines or performance measures to assess mariners’ proficiency.

Lastly, the Coast Guard has developed national assessment guidelines for standardizing assessments of mariners in the four elements of BT: 1) Personal Survival Techniques; 2) Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting; 3) Elementary First Aid; and 4) Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities.

NAVIGATION AND VESSEL INSPECTION CIRCULAR NO. 08-14 c.

Training institutions submitting a course should state either that the guidelines in Enclosure (2) will be used or provide the alternative guidelines it proposes to use. d. 46 CFR 11.302(b) and 12.602(b) also include requirements for mariners to maintain the standard of competence for BT every five years.

Mariners may demonstrate having maintained competence through a combination of seagoing service and Coast Guard approved training ashore.

The components that must be demonstrated in approved training are discussed in Enclosure (1) and the specific assessments that must be demonstrated are identified in Enclosure (2).

The remaining components may be demonstrated by completion of seagoing service.

To show continued competence in BT, the mariner should submit sea service documentation and/or BT course completion certificate(s)to the Coast Guard when applying for the renewal of or a change of endorsements on their Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC).

The Coast Guard recommends that the mariner retain a copy of these documents for his or her records. 6.

DISCLAIMER.

This guidance is not a substitute for applicable legal requirements, nor is it itself a regulation.

It is not intended to nor does it impose legally-binding requirements on any party.

It represents the Coast Guard’s current thinking on this topic and is issued for guidance purposes to outline methods of best practice for compliance to the applicable law.

You can use an alternative approach if the approach satisfies the requirements of the applicable statutes and regulations. 7.

ENVIRONMENTAL ASPECT AND IMPACT CONSIDERATIONS. a.

The development of this NVIC and the general policies contained within it have been thoroughly reviewed by the originating office, and are categorically excluded (CE) under current USCG CE # 33 from further environmental analysis, in accordance with Section 2.B.2. and Figure 2-1 of the National Environmental Policy Act Implementing Procedures and Policy for Considering Environmental Impacts, COMDTINST M16475.1

(series). Because this NVIC implements, without substantive change, the applicable Commandant Instruction or other federal agency regulations, procedures, manuals, and other guidance documents, Coast Guard categorical exclusion #33 is appropriate. b. This NVIC will not have any of the following: significant cumulative impacts on the human environment; substantial controversy or substantial change to existing environmental conditions; or inconsistencies with any Federal, State, or local laws or administrative determinations relating to the environment. All future specific actions resulting from the general policies in this NVIC must be individually evaluated for compliance with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), DHS and Coast Guard NEPA policy, and compliance with all other environmental mandates. 8. RECORDS MANAGEMENT CONSIDERATIONS. This NVIC has been thoroughly reviewed during the directives clearance process, and it has been determined there are no further records scheduling requirements, in accordance with Federal Records Act, 44 U.S.C. 3101 et seq., NARA requirements, and Information and Life Cycle Management Manual, COMDTINST M5212.12 (series). This policy does not create significant or substantial change to existing records management requirements.