Jamaican and Panamanian seafarers can now seek Canadian recognition of their STCW certificates

Matko Rak -

Transport Canada has issued a ship safety bulletin (SSB) informing that Jamaican and Panamanian seafarers can now seek Canadian recognition of their STCW certificates.

Purpose

The bulletin is to let you know that Canada has signed reciprocal arrangements with Jamaica and the Republic of Panama.

Jamaican and Panamanian seafarers holding a valid STCW certificate* can now apply for a Canadian endorsement.

*STCW certificate means a certificate issued in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping, 1978, as amended, and excludes any certificate or endorsement issued under the provisions of Regulation I/10.

Scope

This bulletin applies to owners and operators of Canadian-flagged vessels and seafarers from Jamaica or from the Republic of Panama who want a Canadian endorsement.

What you need to know

Seafarers with a valid STCW certificate issued by either the Maritime Authority of Jamaica or the Panama Maritime Authority can now apply for a Canadian endorsement.

This is similar to reciprocal arrangements Canada has already signed with Australia, France, Norway, Ukraine, Georgia, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.

Canadian seafarers can also seek a Jamaican endorsement of a valid Canadian STCW certificate by writing to the Maritime Authority of Jamaica using the following email address: safety@jamaicaships.com.

Canadian seafarers wishing to obtain a Panamanian endorsement of a valid Canadian STCW certificate are advised to consult the information available on the Panama Maritime Authority website (website only available in Spanish) or contact the Panamanian consulates in Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver (website only available in English and in Spanish).

Documents you need to apply

To apply for a Canadian endorsement, please download and follow the instructions contained within the following Transport Canada forms:

You are invited to visit the following website which provides relevant information regarding the Recognition of a Foreign Certificate Through a Reciprocal Arrangement.

How to apply

Send your completed application and supporting documents, using one of the following methods:

Transport Canada, Seafarer Certification (AMSP),
330 Sparks Street, Place de Ville, Tower C,
Ottawa ON K1A 0N5

This bulletin (No. 16/2023) was issued on 26 July 2023.

For more information, please see the document below (available only to subscribers):Jamaican and Panamanian Seafarers Can Now Seek Canadian Recognition of Their STCW Certificates

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