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The revalidation of Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Proficiency (CoP) is a mandatory statutory requirement under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) 1978, as amended. Specifically, Regulation I/11 and Section A-I/11 of the STCW Code dictate that every master, officer, and radio operator holding a certificate issued or recognized under any chapter of the Convention must, at intervals not exceeding five years, establish continued professional competence and medical fitness to continue sea service. In India, this process is governed by the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in accordance with the Merchant Shipping (STCW) Rules and relevant MS Notices, such as MS Notice 16 of 2020. To establish continued professional competence, a seafarer must meet one of the following sea service criteria: 1. Approved seagoing service, performing functions appropriate to the certificate held, for a period of at least twelve months in total during the preceding five years; or 2. Approved seagoing service for a period of at least three months in total during the preceding six months immediately prior to revalidation. In instances where a seafarer does not meet these sea service requirements, they must successfully complete an approved revalidation course or serve in a supernumerary capacity for a specified period as determined by the DGS. The revalidation procedure involves several critical components: 1. **Refresher and Updating Training (RUT):** Under the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments, seafarers must undergo Refresher and Updating Training to stay abreast of technical advancements and regulatory changes. This includes mandatory refresher courses for basic and advanced safety training if the original certificates are older than five years. These courses typically include Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSCRB), and Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF). For those holding tanker endorsements, specific refresher requirements for oil, chemical, or liquefied gas tanker operations must be satisfied. 2. **Medical Fitness:** Applicants must possess a valid medical fitness certificate issued by a DGS-approved medical examiner. This ensures compliance with STCW Regulation I/9 and the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006, confirming the seafarer is physically fit to perform shipboard duties. 3. **Application via e-Governance Portal:** The administrative process is strictly digital. Seafarers must ensure their 'Seafarer Profile' on the DGS e-Governance portal is fully updated. All maritime training institutes (MTIs) must have uploaded the candidate’s course completion data directly to the DGS database. The applicant then selects the 'Revalidation of CoC' option, uploads the necessary supporting documents—including the existing CoC, Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) entries, passport copies, and the medical certificate—and pays the prescribed processing fee. 4. **Verification and Issuance:** The application is scrutinized by the jurisdictional Mercantile Marine Department (MMD). Upon verification of the sea service, training records, and medical status, the MMD approves the revalidation. The revalidated CoC is typically issued with a five-year validity, often in a digital format with a QR code for global verification, aligning with the ISM Code’s requirements for companies to ensure all personnel are properly certified. Failure to revalidate the CoC renders the officer unqualified to serve in the capacity specified, which can lead to vessel detention under Port State Control (PSC) and is a violation of both flag state regulations and the ship's Safety Management System (SMS).
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💬 Community Answers(2)
Revalidation of your STCW certificates, bhai, is a crucial process, especially as they approach expiry. The first step is to ensure you have sufficient sea time – typically one year in the last five, or three months in the last year, served in the capacity appropriate to your certificate. Without this, you'll need to complete a Refresher and Updating Training course for your specific endorsements like PST, FPFF, AFF, and PSCRB. Next, you'll need to apply online through the DGS shipping portal. You’ll select the relevant MMD (Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, or Kochi are common) for your assessment. Gather all your original certificates, sea service testimonials (signed by companies like Great Eastern, SCI, or Synergy), medical fitness certificate (DGS approved doctor), and passport. The MMD will verify your documents and sea time. Once approved, you pay the fees online and receive your revalidated certificates. My practical tip: start this process at least 6 months before expiry; delays happen, especially with document verification. Good luck!
I’ve been through this dance more times than I care to count, and the golden rule is always to start at least six months before your tickets expire. Last year, I saw a chief mate get stuck at home because he miscalculated his sea time for his revalidation. You need to prove at least twelve months of sea service in the last five years, or three months in the last six months immediately before revalidating. Get your testimonials signed off by the Master, and make sure those dates match your discharge book exactly, down to the day. If you’ve been ashore or lack the sea time, you’ll have to take the long route through refresher courses. Even with enough sea time, you still need valid updated proficiency certificates for Advanced Firefighting and Survival Craft, which usually means booking a quick run through the local academy for the practical drills. Don't forget your medical fitness certificate either; it must have at least a few months of validity left when you apply. Personally, I keep a digital folder on my laptop with scanned copies of everything. Submit online as soon as your window opens, because some administrations take ages to process paperwork, and the last thing you want is missing a lucrative contract because your ticket is stuck in some bureaucrat's inbox.
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