Vessel Operation TTNVQ is a bridge to 'Tonnage licence' skills, knowledge and behaviour

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Notice to Owners, Masters, Deck and Engineer Officers and Ratings of Merchant Vessels and those concerned with Maritime Training. 

Key Point 

This Notice gives information and guidance on the education and training schemes available to seafarers wishing to obtain merchant navy certificates of competency by either the Vocational Qualification (VQ).

1.0 Introduction 

1.1 The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 2023 (the Regulations) implement in Trinidad & Tobago some of the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended in 1995 (STCW 95)2, and its associated Code (STCW Code).

1.3 From January 2023, all new entrant deck officer cadets have been enrolled on approved training programmes which achieve these standards of competence by the attainment of a Vocational Qualification (VQ) based on continuous assessment of knowledge and performance.

2.0 Certificates of Competency 

2.1 The following STCW 95 certificates of competency are available:

Deck department – ships on near-coastal voyages 

• Officer in charge of a navigational watch (OOW) on ships of less than 500 gt (STCW Reg II/3) 

 • Master on ships of less than 500 gt (STCW Reg II/3)

THE VQ ROUTE TO STCW 95 CERTIFICATES 

4.0 General 

4.1 Merchant Shipping Notice No. M1634 introduced the concept of Vocational Qualifications (VQs) for merchant navy certificates. Essentially, a candidate for a certificate of competency who: 

.1 obtains an appropriate National Vocational Qualification (NVQ), or a specified group of units; 

.2 completes the required sea service; 

.3 is medically fit; and 

.4 pays the appropriate fee; 

will be granted entry to the MSD oral examination, success in which will result in the issue of the certificate of competency.

5.0 How it Works 

5.1 The key features of the VQ system are: 

.1 the accumulation of evidence that a candidate possesses relevant knowledge and skills to the standards laid down in the VQ and can apply them in practice; 

.2 the provision of a mechanism known as Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) whereby prior learning and experience can be taken into account, thus avoiding unnecessary repetition of previous training.

5.2 Achievement of the VQ involves: 

.1 approved education and training which includes the knowledge, understanding and proficiencies listed in the STCW Code;

.2 tuition in basic principles and underpinning knowledge; 

.3 completion of mandatory short training programmes; 

.4 on-board training, closely monitored and supervised by certificated officers and documented in a Record Book or Portfolio, whilst completing the necessary sea service; 

.5 assessment of evidence by specially trained and appointed staff at an approved assessment centre; currently, approved assessment centres are located at nautical colleges in Trinidad and Tobago. 

5.3 Award of the qualification is entirely dependent on the assessor being satisfied that the standards have been achieved. 

5.4 The assessment process is verified as part of the quality standards systems operated by the bodies which award the qualification. In Trinidad and Tobago, the awarding body is NTATT. 

5.5 As well as classroom teaching, SSNT offers other means of study, including distance learning and guided self study