Singapore Operations Office:10 Anson Road #25-16, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Tel: (65) 6224 2345 Fax: (65) 6227 2345
Email: info@tvship.com Website: www.tvship.com

MARINE CIRCULAR
MC-1/2009/10/12/3
2/2024
FOR: Ship Owners, Ship Managers, Ship Operators, Ship Masters, Ship Officers
SUBJECT: FAILURE TO APPLY FOR TUVALU CREW ENDORSEMENTS IN ACCORDANCE TO
STCW REG I/10
DEFINITIONS:▪
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“COC” – Certificate of Competency in accordance to the STCW
“COE” – Certificate of Endorsement (issued against an officer’s COC / GOC / DCE / SSO)
“DCE” – Dangerous Cargo Endorsement (e.g. Advance Oil/Chemical Tanker Certificate)“GOC” – GMDSS Operator Certificate“MSMC” – Minimum Safe Manning Certificate“PCOE” – Provisional COE“PSC” – Port State Control“PSCO” – Port State Control Officer“SSO” – Ship Security Officer Certificate“STCW” – International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers, 1978, as amended

The following terms shall mean:▪

“Administration” shall mean the Tuvalu Ship Registry.

PURPOSE:This Marine Circular serves to inform ship owners / operators that all Tuvalu-flagged vessels that have
STCW certificated officers serving on board including those beyond and above what is stipulated on
the MSMC shall hold either PCOE or COE prior to obtaining Permanent Registration through thesubmission of a Crew List for the Administration to verify that all applicable crew hold PCOE/COE.
REFERENCES:(a) Tuvalu Registry Circular RC-5/2012/1 - Crew Endorsement Application Procedures(b) International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers,
1978, as amended
APPLICATION:
This Marine Circular applies to all ship officers and radio operators issued with COC / DCE / GOC /SSO by other STCW member States serving on board Tuvalu flagged vessels.

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Singapore Operations Office:
10 Anson Road #25-16, International Plaza, Singapore 079903
Tel: (65) 6224 2345 Fax: (65) 6227 2345
Email: info@tvship.com Website: www.tvship.com
CONTENTS:This Administration firmly believes that the lack of PCOE/COE for officers serving on Tuvalu-flaggedvessels, which may lead to PSC detention and compromise the safety of the vessel and the marineenvironment, as something that is unacceptable and completely avoidable. As such, please be
reminded of the following:
1. STCW Requirements
1.1.

All officers including radio operators serving on board Tuvalu ships regardless of thevessel’s operational status (unless prior exemption / dispensation has been granted) shallbe required to have their COC / DCE / GOC / SSO endorsed by Tuvalu.

1.2.

This Administration shall recognise the COC / DCE / GOC / SSO issued by a STCW
member State through the issuance of a Tuvalu COE.

1.3.

All officers and radio operators are to ensure that their original COC / DCE / GOC / SSO
and accompanying COE are with them when they embark on board the vessel without fail.

1.4.

All officers and radio operators shall to the best of their ability ensure that their COC / DCE/ GOC / SSO and corresponding COE remain valid for the duration of their intended service
on board a Tuvalu flagged vessel.

1.5.

Due to the time required for the Administration to process and issue the original COE, theAdministration shall issue a PCOE (valid for 3 months) upon receipt of a COE application inorder to allow an officer or radio operator to serve on board a Tuvalu flagged vessel while
waiting for the issuance of the Tuvalu COE.

1.6.

A copy of the PCOE/COE may be either printed or saved in its electronic form and ready to
be presented to any requesting authority together with his/her original COC / DCE / GOC /SSO.

1.7.

Please refer to RC-5/2012/1 for the procedures for application of Tuvalu COE.

2. Penalty Imposed on Failure to Comply with STCW I/10
2.1.

Should a Tuvalu flagged vessel be detained by a PSC authority for failure to comply with
STCW I/10 based on the instructions provided above, then the Administration may imposea penalty of no less than US$ 5,000 on the ship owner / ship operator / ship manager
responsible.

2.2.

This Administration believes that good management shall easily avoid any failure to comply
with STCW I/10 and so long as the vessel has all the proper crew documentation on board,
there should be no need for ship owner / operators to be concerned of the penalty.

Yours sincerely

Deputy Registrar
Tuvalu Ship Registry

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