List of countries recognised by The Bahamas in accordance with STCW Regulation I/10
The Bahamas Maritime Authority (BMA) published a marine notice revising the list of the countries recognised by The Bahamas in accordance with STCW Regulation I/10.
This notice was published on March 22nd, 2023, and became effective on the same date.
It is addressed to all ship owners, managers, masters, approved nautical inspectors, recognised organisations, and surveyors.
This Notice supersedes BMA Information Bulletin No. 121.
1. Purpose
1.1. This Marine Notice provides guidance on the countries with which The Bahamas has signed an agreement, in accordance with the provisions of Regulation I/10 of The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW), to recognise certificates and issue Bahamas Flag State Endorsements (FSE) to a Master, Officer, GMDSS Radio Operator or other applicable seafarer, who are certified by the recognised country.
1.2. This Marine Notice should be read in conjunction with IMO MSC.1/Circ. 1163 as revised, BMA Information Bulletin Nos. 86, 103, 104, 105, 106, 118, 127, 130, 137, 140, 147 and any other BMA Information Bulletins relating to training and certification of seafarers.
2. Application
2.1. This Marine Notice applies to:
- All Bahamian ships to which STCW is applicable;
- All persons serving or intending to serve on Bahamian ships to which STCW is
applicable and whom require a STCW FSE; - Companies employing, recruiting or selecting the seafarers noted above, for service on board Bahamian ships.
3. General
3.1. The list of countries recognised by The Bahamas is contained in the Annex.
3.2. All parties should note that the process for recognition can only be carried out with a country, or the Maritime Administration acting on behalf of a country, that is a party to STCW.
3.3. A Company seeking to employ a person as noted in 2.1 who has a certificate from a STCW country that is not recognised by The Bahamas should engage with that country.
3.4. Notwithstanding that a country is part to STCW, it remains the prerogative of The Bahamas as to whether an STCW recognition agreement will be entered into with a country and if so, the conditions relating to the same.