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Updated STCW certification notice to Seafarers (6/6)

In response to the recent discovery of the existence of questionable or invalid STCW Basic Safety Training (BST) certificates possessed by what appears to be a relatively small number of SIU members, a more secure certificate verification program has been jointly adopted by the union and the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education. It applies to both STCW certificates as well as documentation for STCW Basic Safety Training (BST). The new system is not burdensome on the Seafarer. However, the union and the Paul Hall Center believe the new process, properly followed, promises to be secure, accurate and verifiable. For the most part, the only Seafarers impacted by the updated structure are (a) mariners with prior SIU seatime (or NMU seatime) who do not have an STCW certificate on file with the Paul Hall Center and who have a BST certificate issued from a school other than the Paul Hall Center; and (b) mariners with no prior SIU or NMU seatime. Details are available at all SIU halls. If members are concerned that they may be in possession of invalid BST certification, those members may take advantage of a grace or amnesty period – beginning immediately and lasting through September 2003 – during which the bad certificates may be submitted at the halls or the Paul Hall Center. Members then may enroll for BST training at the Paul Hall Center (or at any other Coast Guard certified school). However, once the grace period ends (Sept. 30, 2003), any members found in possession of fraudulent certificates will have SAB charges brought against them. Further, the amnesty is only for SAB action and doesn’t preclude action by other (outside) organizations. As most recently demonstrated by our quick response to this situation, both the SIU and the Paul Hall Center remain committed to helping ensure the correct documentation of Seafarers. On the whole, our training and certification database already is considered one of the most accurate private maritime records in the nation. We intend to make it even more precise. ###