Bahamas: Requirements for seafarers on ships with IGF Code

The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) has issued a marine notice on the training and certification requirements for seafarers sailing on ships subject to the IGF Code.

This notice was issued on 8 June 2023 and became effective on the same date. It supersedes BMA Information Bulletin No. 162.

It is addressed to all ship owners, managers, masters, approved nautical inspectors, recognized organizations, and surveyors.

Purpose

1.1. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) and the International Code of Safety for Ships using Gases or other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF) require person’s onboard ships subject to the IGF code to have appropriate training and certification.

1.2. This Marine Notice outlines the mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code.

1.3. This Notice should be read in conjunction with relevant Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) Marine & Information Notices, and any subsequent notices or international guidelines relating to manning, seafarers or training.

Application and Interpretation

2.1. This Marine Notice applies to:

i. All Bahamian vessels to which the IGF Code is applicable,
ii. All persons serving or intending to serve on Bahamian ships to which the IGF Code is applicable in a capacity for which additional training is required.
iii. Companies employing, recruiting or selecting the seafarers noted above for service on board Bahamian ships to which the IGF Code is applicable.

Definitions

3.1. For the purpose of this Marine Notice the following definitions apply:

i. Approved sea service is sea service carried out on board a ship subject to the IGF Code. The sea service must include a minimum of three bunkering operations.
ii. Approved training is training that satisfies the requirements of STCW Code A-V/3 and has been approved by The Bahamas or an STCW party.
iii. Company is the entity who has accepted responsibility for the assignment of the seafarers for service on board Bahamian registered ships in accordance with the provisions of STCW Regulation I/14. The “ISM Company,” as defined below, shall report the full name and details of such entity (e.g., manning agents) to the Seafarers and Manning Department of the BMA. This notification, as well as any changes of the entity, shall be made either by completing the ‘Manning’ section of the Bahamas form R104 or submitting a letter of declaration to that effect. (The letter shall be on the headed paper of the Registered Owner or Manager).
iv. The ISM Company is the entity, designated under SOLAS Chapter IX/1.2 that assumes the duties and responsibilities imposed by the International Safety Management (ISM) Code.
v. A Senior Officer is a person assigned to the vessel as a Master, Chief Officer, Chief Engineer, or Second Engineer.
vi. A person with "immediate responsibility" is dependent upon the scope of operational, with respect to fuel operations, duties assigned to that person on board an IGF Code ship. The BMA recognizes that on some ships, officers other than senior officers may be assigned such 'immediate' responsibility for engineering watch or bunkering operations. The ISM Company should make clear definitions within its Safety Management procedures (fuel and bunkering operations) where a junior officer that works under the instructions of the chief Engineer is expected to undertake such "immediate responsibility." This may be, for example, in circumstances where an officer in nominal overall control is unavailable through limitation of hours of work or rest procedures.

Training and Certification Requirement

4.1. General

4.1.1. A Bahamas Flag State Endorsement (FSE) is not required for any training or instruction carried out under STCW Chapter V/3.

4.1.2. In accordance with the STCW Requirements, The Bahamas requires all applicable persons serving onboard ships subject to the IGF Code to have a valid Certificate of Proficiency that relates to the IGF training appropriate to their assigned shipboard duties.

4.1.3. IGF training shall satisfy the requirements specified in STCW Code A-V/3.

4.2. Basic Training

4.2.1. Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board the ships shall ensure that they hold a certificate in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code. The safety duties in relation to fuel handling should be clearly defined in the ISM Company’s Safety Management System (SMS).

4.2.2. Seafarers who are required to hold a certificate in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall have either:

i. Basic IGF training Certificate of Proficiency issued by the BMA; the Administration of a STCW party; or a country that is party to STCW, or
ii. Certificate of basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations in accordance with STCW A-V/1-2 paragraph 1.

4.3. Advanced Training

4.3.1. Masters, engineer officers and all personnel with immediate responsibility of the care and use of fuel systems on the ship shall ensure that they hold a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code.

4.3.2. Seafarers who are required to hold a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall have, in addition to the basic training requirements noted in 3.31 above, the following:

i. Completed approved advanced IGF Code training that satisfies the requirement of STCW Code A-V/3.2; and
ii. Completed at least one month of sea service that includes a minimum of three bunkering operations on board ships subject to the IGF Code. Two of the three bunkering operations may be replaced by approved simulator training on bunkering operations subject to the simulator training being a part of the advanced IGF Code training.

4.3.3. Seafarers who hold a Certificate of Proficiency for advanced training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations (STCW Regulation V/1-2.4) shall be considered as satisfying the requirements for IGF advanced training if the seafarer has satisfied all the additional requirements specified in STCW Regulation V/3 9.1, 9.2, and 9.3.

4.3.4. Seafarers who are deemed qualified on the basis of their existing training as specified above shall hold a Certificate of Proficiency in Advanced training for IGF Code ships.

Application Process for the Issuance of A Bahamas Certificate of Proficiency (CoP) or a Bahamas Flag State Endorsement

5.1. Applying for a Bahamas CoP

5.1.1. Any person who does not hold either a Basic or Advanced CoP but otherwise satisfies the training and certification requirements of STCW Code A-V/3 may apply for a Bahamas CoP.

5.1.2. Applications for a Bahamas CoP for Basic training shall include the documents as specified in 3.3.1 above.

5.1.3. Applications for Bahamas CoP of Advanced training shall include the documents noted in 3.4.1.

5.1.4. Where a seafarer is applying for a CoP on the basis of holding a CoP for liquefied gas operations, the BMA will require a letter (including the name and IMO number of the affected ship) from the Master or Company confirming that the seafarer has:

i. Participated with bunkering operations onboard an IGF ship or carried out cargo operations onboard a liquefied gas tanker AND
ii. Completed at least three months of service in the previous five years on either:

a) Ships subject to the IGF Code; or

b) Tankers carrying as cargo, fuels covered by the IGF Code; or

c) Ships using gases of low flashpoint fuel as fuel.

5.2. Applying for a Bahamas FSE

5.2.1. A Bahamas Flag State Endorsement (FSE) is not required for any training carried out under STCW Chapter V/3.

5.2.2. Notwithstanding 4.2.1, any person who holds a Certificate of Proficiency for Basic or Advanced training, issued by an administration with whom The Bahamas has an STCW recognition agreement, may apply for a Bahamas FSE of that document.

5.2.3. All seafarer applications must be submitted through The Bahamas On-Line Registration Information System (BORIS).

5.2.4. Full details of BORIS and the application process are contained in BMA Information Notice 15.