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Important Message for Seafarers (5/30)

SIU Statement on Corrective Measures Stemming from Invalid STCW Credentials Members Asked to Submit Original Certificates from ‘Outside’ Training The Seafarers International Union has learned of the existence of questionable or invalid STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) certificates possessed by what is believed to be a relatively small number of SIU members. All of the questionable training certificates reflect training purportedly received outside the union’s affiliated Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. That is, all of the STCW training certificates issued by the Paul Hall Center are verified and valid. The problem with some of the “outside” certificates was identified through routine checks and balances that are part of the system for updating and verifying the membership training database jointly managed by the union and the Paul Hall Center. Strong efforts are under way to protect the system’s integrity and to further discourage anyone from submitting false information. With that in mind, all Seafarers who are taking STCW Basic Safety Training outside the Paul Hall Center are requested, upon completion, to immediately submit the original training certificate to the Paul Hall Center admissions office for verification. Likewise, all Seafarers who in the future take BST anywhere except the Paul Hall Center should submit the original training certificate to the admissions office at: Paul Hall Center Attn: Admissions P.O. Box 75 Piney Point, MD 20674 The paperwork may be submitted through the SIU hiring halls or directly to the school. Registration and shipping will not be impacted while documents are being verified. The school will make every effort to return the original paperwork in a timely fashion. Meanwhile, neither the school nor the union halls will accept anything other than original training certificates for validation. While the SIU and the Paul Hall Center are outraged at those individuals who knowingly participated in the issuance or acquisition of invalid STCW credentials, we believe it is fair to consider the following:  Falsification of STCW training certificates is an issue worldwide, and the penalties for such falsification are severe. There are an estimated 160 STCW training providers in the U.S. and many more around the world.  The number of questionable or invalid STCW training certificates possessed by SIU members is a very small percentage of the overall tens of thousands of Seafarers who have completed STCW training.  Further options for strengthening the union’s and school’s verification system are being considered and will be disclosed at the proper time. The SIU and the Paul Hall Center remain committed to helping ensure the correct documentation of Seafarers. Seafarers are asked to check this web site and the Seafarers LOG for further updates on this subject.