WRITTEN QUESTION E-1726/01

by Mihail Papayannakis (GUE/NGL) to the Commission

(14 June 2001)

Subject: Training of seafarers

The German Automobile Association (ADAC) has carried out a survey of Greek ferries, making a positive assessment in its subsequent report. However, apart from the positive comments, the results of the extra emergency drills which were held specially for the Greek crews were found to be disappointing. These results are attributable to inadequate crew training and the fact that the regular training exercises take place only on paper and not in practice.

In the light of the fact that a warning letter was sent to Greece on 20 August 1999 concerning the implementation of Directive 98/53/EC(1) on the minimum level of training of seafarers, will the Commission say to what extent that Directive is implemented in Greece? Does the Commission consider that Greece has complied with the abovementioned letter?

(1) OJ L 172, 17.6.1998, p. 1.

Answer given by Mrs de Palacio on behalf of the Commission

(6 September 2001)

In order to improve the safety of maritime transport and establish a minimum level of training of seafarers in the Community, on 21 November 1994 the Council adopted Directive 94/58/EC of 22 November 1994 on the minimum level of training of seafarers(1). This was amended by Council Directive 98/35/EC of 25 May 1998(2) and, on 4 April 2001, Parliament and the Council adopted Directive 2001/25/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers(3), consolidating and repealing the two earlier directives.

These texts apply to seafarers serving on board vessels designed for maritime navigation and flying the flag of a Member State. The provisions concerning the training required in order to obtain the certificate are based on those of the IMO Convention on standards of training for seafarers (STCW Convention, 1978).

As regards the transposition of these texts by Greece, the Commission has instituted procedures for failure to notify national transposition measures within the time limits set for each of the two directives. Following the notifications of transposition of the texts into Greek legislation, these two procedures were shelved in December 1996 and March 2000 respectively.

In the framework of examining the conformity of the measures notified by the Greek authorities, the Commission opened a procedure concerning the effective transposition into Greek law of obligations to control communications among crew members and with the passengers, especially in critical situations. The Greek authorities gave satisfactory explanations regarding the interpretation of Presidential Decree 210/96 and the Commission was able to shelve the dossier in December 1998.

Finally, according to the information communicated to the Commission by the Greek authorities in October 2000, control of conformity and application of the measures undertaken to transpose the directives has been entrusted to the merchant shipping inspectorate and the port authorities.

These two services are authorised to inspect ships and their crews and they can take any steps necessary to ensure that the obligations arising out of these texts on minimum training levels for seafarers are complied with, particularly if crews are unable to show that they have the necessary professional aptitude.

(1) OJ L 319, 12.12.1994.

(2) OJ L 172, 17.6.1998.

(3) OJ L 136, 18.5.2001.