May 2016
Classes Designed to Help Mariners Meet Basic Training, Other Requirements
In order to help mariners stay up-to-date with the latest U.S. Coast Guard requirements stemming from the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping (STCW), the Paul Hall Center for Maritime Training and Education (PHC) has added two new courses to the 2016 schedule. Both classes, explained below, are designed with the intention of helping mariners meet STCW requirements as quickly and hassle-free as possible. Both have been approved by the U.S. Coast Guard.
According to PHC Director of Training Priscilla Labanowski, “These courses allow mariners to complete the required training needed under the STCW Final Rule, and in a short time frame. Basic Training (BT) Revalidation, as long as members continuously sail and maintain their one year of sea time in the past five years, takes a five-day class and reduces it to be completed in one day to revalidate. The BT/Advanced Firefighting Revalidation course cuts three weeks off original training and revalidates it in one week. In other words, without our newly approved BT/Advanced Firefighting Revalidation class, it would take four weeks to complete all the components separately (BT, Proficient in the use of Survival Craft, and Advanced Firefighting).”
BT Revalidation (SHLSOS-718) is a one-day class and transportation is reimbursable upon successful completion. The class is designed for mariners who possess a current U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) endorsed with Basic Training (VI/1).
Applicants must provide proof of one year of sea service within the last five years. This course revalidates the STCW requirement for Basic Training and Basic Fire Fighting every five years and can be used in lieu of the full one-week BT course. Those enrolled will have to complete pool assessments, so a swimsuit is required.
BT/Advanced Firefighting Revalidation (SHLSOS-823) is a five day course, and transportation will be reimbursed upon successful completion. The course has been designed for mariners who:
-Successfully completed a USCG-approved STCW Basic Training course
-Successfully completed a USCG-approved Advanced Firefighting course
-Successfully completed a USCG-approved Proficient in the Use of Survival Craft (PSC) course
-Can provide evidence of at least one year of sea service in the last five years
-Possess a current U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) with Advanced Firefighting, Basic Training and Lifeboatman/Proficient in the use of Survival Craft (PSC) endorsements.
The class meets the STCW revalidation requirement for Basic Training and Advanced Firefighting every five years. It also meets the continued competence requirement for Proficient in the Use of Survival Crafts (PSC) every five years. This course will be required at the first MMC renewal after January 1, 2017, for anyone holding the previously listed endorsements. Students will have to complete pool assessments, so a swimsuit is required.
On a related note, and as previously reported in the LOG, on the international page of one’s MMC, (normally page 4), if a mariner has the Basic Safety Training/ Basic Training endorsement there will be Roman numerals. VI/1 means the MMC is endorsed with Basic Training. Some MMCs only contain the Roman numeral while others show VI/1 and the wording Basic Training. (The wording was added beginning in October 2012, initially saying Basic Safety Training and now Basic Training).
Beginning in January 2017, in order to renew a merchant mariner credential with an STCW Basic Training endorsement (VI/1), an applicant must show proof of having completed a Coast Guard-approved BT class within the last five years.
It is important for Seafarers to make sure their Basic Training endorsement in their MMC is up-to-date, in order to help ensure that they are eligible to ship after January 1, 2017. More information about STCW requirements is available from the SIU-affiliated Paul Hall Center (admissions office) and on the Coast Guard’s National Maritime Center website: http://www.uscg.mil/nmc/
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