DMA. no. 021. Issue Date: . 12-10-2023.

DMA no. 021
Issue Date: 12-10-2023

DMA RO Circular no. 021
Regarding the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification andWatch keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended

1.

Introduction
Implementation of the STCW Convention may raise various questions during Port State Control inspections because of differences in the application of the Convention in different countries.
The intention of this publication is to explain the procedures followed by the Danish Maritime
Authority.
The procedures comply with the provisions of the Convention, as amended. Furthermore, attention is directed to the IMO STCW.7 Circulars, which contain internationally agreed clarification regarding the application of the provisions of the STCW Convention, as amended.
Verification of the procedures described herein or any enquiries regarding the contents of thispublication that may arise during a Port State Control inspection may be directed to the DanishMaritime Authority, tel.: + 45 72 19 60 00, email: bevis@dma.dk.

2.

Explanatory note
Supplementary remarks to several regulations, etc. are given in the following appendix.
With this circular, the Danish Maritime Authority hopes to contribute to a smooth completion ofPort State Control inspections as far as they concern the application of the STCW Convention
in Danish ships and the manning of ships.
As stated in Article X of the STCW Convention, all possible efforts shall be made by Port State
officials to avoid a ship being unduly detained or delayed when exercising control. It is also
stated that, if a ship is unduly detained or delayed, it shall be entitled to compensation for any
loss or damage resulting therefrom.

3.

Minimum safe manning documents
For further information, please see “DMA RO Circular no. 020 regarding Minimum Safe Manning Document and the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification andWatch keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended”.

Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

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Appendix STCW Regulations
Certificate for- STCW endorsements are incorporated in the certificate format so that certifimats for Danish cate and endorsement is the same document; cf. STCW Regulation I/2, paraappropriate cer- graph 6.
tificates
The format differs from the standard format according to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, and the STCW Code, A-I/2.
The main variation is that the competencies held and functions which theholder is found competent to perform are not listed because these are unambiguously identified by the text in the certificate.
“Name of Holder has been found duly qualified in accordance with theprovisions of Regulation(s) of the above Convention ...”.
In which the relevant regulation(s) are inserted.
By specifying the regulations complied with unambiguously, the functions andlevels of competence covered by the Regulations are identified.
For ease of reference, the functions and levels of competence are as follows:
STCW regulation:
Remarks:
Regulations II/1 and II/3 – Functions at the operational level andRegulation II/2 – Functions at management level
Regulations II/1 and II/2 Officers holding Danish certificates of competency(BRM)
in accordance with Regulations II/1 and II/2 comply
with the competence requirements in Regulation
II/1 and II/2 – Tables A-II/1 and A-II/2 include, but
are not limited to, "Ship manoeuvring and handling"and "Bridge Resource Management".
Danish appropriate certificates issued in accordance with Regulations II attest compliance with therequirement stated above and separate course certificates are not issued.
Regulations II/1, II/2, Officers holding Danish certificates of competency
II/3
in accordance with Regulations II/1, II/2 and II/3(ECDIS)
without limitation comply with the requirement forElectronic Chart Display and Information System(ECDIS) training as described in Tables A-II/1, 2,and 3, and are not requested to provide documentary evidence of training in ECDIS, unless otherwise stated on the certificate of competency.
Danish appropriate certificates issued in accordance with Regulations II attest compliance with therequirement stated above and separate course certificates are not issued.
Regulation III/1 – Functions at the operational level andRegulations III/2 and III/3 – Functions at management level
Regulations III/1, III/2Officers holding Danish certificates of competency(ERM)
in accordance with Regulations III/1 and III/2 comply with the competence requirements in Regulation III – Tables A-III/1 and A-III/2 include, but are
not limited to, "Engine Room Resource Management".
Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

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Certificate for- STCW endorsements are incorporated in the certificate format so that certifimats for Danish cate and endorsement is the same document; cf. STCW Regulation I/2, paraappropriate cer- graph 6.
tificates
The format differs from the standard format according to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, and the STCW Code, A-I/2.
The main variation is that the competencies held and functions which theholder is found competent to perform are not listed because these are unambiguously identified by the text in the certificate.
“Name of Holder has been found duly qualified in accordance with theprovisions of Regulation(s) of the above Convention ...”.
In which the relevant regulation(s) are inserted.
By specifying the regulations complied with unambiguously, the functions andlevels of competence covered by the Regulations are identified.

Information toIMO

Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

For ease of reference, the functions and levels of competence are as follows:
STCW regulation:
Remarks:
Regulations II/1 and II/3 – Functions at the operational level andRegulation II/2 – Functions at management level
Regulation II/4
If an issued Danish Certificate of Proficiency as anable ship's assistant is endorsed according to theSTCW Convention, regulation II/4, no separate II/4certificate is required or issued.
Regulation V/1-1, para- Compliance with familiarization requirements forgraph 2.2, and regula- service on oil and chemical tankers, cf. regulation
tion V/1-2, paragraph
V/1-1, paragraph 2.2, and gas tankers, cf. regula2.2
tion V/1-2, paragraph 2.2, is certified on certificatesissued under chapter II for deck officers and III for
engineer officers by reference to regulation V/1-1,
paragraph 2.2, and regulation V/1-2, paragraph
2.2.
Alternative certificaCertificates include the text:
tion, chapter VII“and authorized to perform the following additional
function or functions at the levels specified, subject
to any limitations indicated:”
This is for certifying additional functions in accordance with chapter VII of the STCW Convention. If“None” is specified under Function, it means thatthe holder is not certified in accordance with chapter VII.
As required by the STCW Convention, specimen certificates were included in
the Danish submission of information to the Secretary General of the IMO,
which were evaluated for establishment of the white list, and no objections
have been raised.
According to the STCW Convention, regulation I/8 and section A-I/8, the evaluation will be conducted at intervals of not more than 5 years.

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Certificate for- STCW endorsements are incorporated in the certificate format so that certifimats for Danish cate and endorsement is the same document; cf. STCW Regulation I/2, paraappropriate cer- graph 6.
tificates
The format differs from the standard format according to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, and the STCW Code, A-I/2.
The main variation is that the competencies held and functions which theholder is found competent to perform are not listed because these are unambiguously identified by the text in the certificate.
“Name of Holder has been found duly qualified in accordance with theprovisions of Regulation(s) of the above Convention ...”.
In which the relevant regulation(s) are inserted.
By specifying the regulations complied with unambiguously, the functions andlevels of competence covered by the Regulations are identified.
For ease of reference, the functions and levels of competence are as follows:
STCW regulation:
Remarks:
Regulations II/1 and II/3 – Functions at the operational level andRegulation II/2 – Functions at management level
Documentation Documentation on Danish ships for compliance with basic training requireon Danish ships ments in section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, and Danish certificates of competency
for compliance are certificates of competency issued to officers, cf. Annex towith Basic
STCW.7/Circ.24/Rev.1
Training for of- Seafarers holding a valid Danish certificate of competency comply with basicficers
training requirements (regulation VI/1, the STCW Code, section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, on basic training as specified in tables A-VI/1-3 and A-VI/1-4) andseparate certificates are not issued.
A separate certificate of proficiency for having attended refresher courses in
the operation of survival craft and rescue boats, except for fast rescue boats,
STCW Reg. A-VI/2 table 1 as well in advanced fire-fighting on board ships,
STCW A-VI/3 table 1- can only be required for seafarers who have been listed
on one of the vessel’s relevant muster lists.
Ordinary andable ship’s assistants

Seafarers having fulfilled Danish training as ship’s assistants comply with thebasic training requirements (regulations II/4, II/5, III/5, V/1-1, paragraph 2.2,V/1-2, paragraph 2.2, VI/1, the STCW Code, section A-VI/1, paragraph 2, on
basic training as specified in tables A-VI/1-1, A-VI/1-2, A-VI/1-3 and A-VI/1-4,and VI/6-4).
In Denmark, the necessary education and training is part of mandatory shorebased training.
The Danish Maritime Authority and approved maritime education training institutes issue certificates for ordinary and able ship’s assistants according toregulations II/5 and III/5.

IMDG CodeContact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

According to regulation I/11, no date of expiry is added to certificates for ratings who have signed on as ship’s assistants.
Certificates of competency in accordance with the provisions of regulations
II/1, II/2, II/3, III/1, III/2, and III/3 meet the requirements of the STCW Code,
Section B-V/c.
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Certificate for- STCW endorsements are incorporated in the certificate format so that certifimats for Danish cate and endorsement is the same document; cf. STCW Regulation I/2, paraappropriate cer- graph 6.
tificates
The format differs from the standard format according to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, and the STCW Code, A-I/2.
The main variation is that the competencies held and functions which theholder is found competent to perform are not listed because these are unambiguously identified by the text in the certificate.
“Name of Holder has been found duly qualified in accordance with theprovisions of Regulation(s) of the above Convention ...”.
In which the relevant regulation(s) are inserted.
By specifying the regulations complied with unambiguously, the functions andlevels of competence covered by the Regulations are identified.

Certification as
radio operator

Watch keeping
certificates for
ratings

Watch keeping
certificates forengine ratings

Certificates ofcompetency issued by theGovernment of
the Faroe Islands
Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

For ease of reference, the functions and levels of competence are as follows:
STCW regulation:
Remarks:
Regulations II/1 and II/3 – Functions at the operational level andRegulation II/2 – Functions at management level
Certification as a radio operator is by separate certificate and endorsement,
which includes evidence of compliance with requirements from both theSTCW Convention and the Radio Regulations, cf. regulation I/2, paragraph 2.
When issuing Flag State Endorsement Certificates for non-Danish Seafarer’s
Certificates of Competency, regulations II/1 and II/2, the Danish Maritime Authority will also include recognition of GMDSS Radio Operator Certificate, regulation IV – in the Danish Endorsement Certificate – stating that the holder ofsuch endorsement has been authorized to be in charge of GMDSS radio communications.
Watch keeping certificates for deck ratings issued in accordance with regulation II/6 of the STCW Convention in force before 1 February 1997 (STCW 78)
are valid for service after 1 January 2017 as equivalent to an II/4 certificate
issued in accordance with the STCW-95 Convention, as amended.
If an issued Danish Certificate of Proficiency as an able ship’s assistant isendorsed in accordance with regulation II/4, no separate certificate is needed
or issued.
According to the STCW Code, A-VIII/2, engine watch keeping for ratings isnot required.
In Danish vessels, engine ratings do not take part in an engine-room watch,thus watch keeping engine ratings are not prescribed in minimum safe manning documents, and watch keeping certificates for engine ratings issued inaccordance with regulation III/4 of the STCW Convention are not required inDanish vessels nor issued.
The Danish Maritime Authority accepts Certificates of Competency issued
by the Government of the Faroe Islands, and such certificates are exchangeable with certificates issued by the Danish Maritime Authority. Therefore recognition of Certificates of Competency issued by the Government ofthe Faroe Islands is unnecessary.
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Certificate for- STCW endorsements are incorporated in the certificate format so that certifimats for Danish cate and endorsement is the same document; cf. STCW Regulation I/2, paraappropriate cer- graph 6.
tificates
The format differs from the standard format according to regulation I/2, paragraph 10, and the STCW Code, A-I/2.
The main variation is that the competencies held and functions which theholder is found competent to perform are not listed because these are unambiguously identified by the text in the certificate.
“Name of Holder has been found duly qualified in accordance with theprovisions of Regulation(s) of the above Convention ...”.
In which the relevant regulation(s) are inserted.
By specifying the regulations complied with unambiguously, the functions andlevels of competence covered by the Regulations are identified.
For ease of reference, the functions and levels of competence are as follows:
STCW regulation:
Remarks:
Regulations II/1 and II/3 – Functions at the operational level andRegulation II/2 – Functions at management level
Ships fitted with On ships fitted with ECDIS, watch keeping officers must comply with theECDISSTCW Code, table A-II/1, about the competent use of ECDIS to maintainsafety of navigation.
Persons holding Certificates of Competency as a Watch keeping officer withthe limitation “Not valid for ships fitted with ECDIS” must not serve as Watch
keeping officers on ships fitted with ECDIS.

Medical standards

If no limitation regarding ECDIS is stated on the Certificate of Competency
as a deck officer, the holder fulfils the STCW Code, table A-II/1 – table A.
All seafarers on board Danish ships must hold a valid health certificate
whereby the seafarer is found fit for ship service, possibly with limitations.
The Danish health certificate is in full compliance with the Maritime Labour
Convention (MLC) and the STCW Convention.

Verification ofauthenticity

Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

Seafarers are required to bring on board only the health certificate, and not
the medical certificate, which contains the result of a Danish medical examination.
STCW certificates can be verified online at www.verify.dma.dk

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Appendix STCW Regulations

Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

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Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

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Contact: bevis@dma.dk
www.dma.dk

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