With reference to the above subject and further to our circular No14/2001 dated 29 June 2001, I wish to inform you the following:

The Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) during an extraordinary session (27 and 28 November 2001), confirmed that eight (8) additional Parties to the STCW Convention have communicated information pursuant to regulation I/7 of the STCW1978 Convention as amended which demonstrates that they give full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the aforementioned Convention. The revised so-called "White List" (List of countries found to give full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention) is shown in the annex of the attached MSC Circular No. 1018, issued by the International Maritime Organization. (Annex 1).

The Government of the Republic of Cyprus had until now accepted the certificates of competency issued by or on behalf of forty-nine (49) Parties to the STCW Convention, for the issue of Cyprus Identification and Sea Service Record Books and Endorsements Attesting the Recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency.

In view of the revised list of countries found to give full and complete effect to the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention and the signing of an undertaking, required by Regulation I/10 of the STCW,1978 Convention as amended, for the recognition of foreign certificates of competency, with a considerable number of Parties, this Administration now accepts the certificates of competency issued by thirty (30) additional Parties to the STCW Convention.

The revised list of Parties to the STCW Convention whose certificates of competency are presently accepted for the issue of Cyprus Identification and Sea Service Record Book and Endorsements attesting the recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency, is shown in Annex 2.

It should be noted that seafarers holding certificates of competency or training documentary evidence issued by or on behalf of the competent Authorities of Lebanon or Cape Verde, previously recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, may continue to serve on board Cyprus flag vessels until 30 January 2002.

In view of the new expanded list of Parties to the STCW Convention whose certificates of competency are accepted for the issue of Cyprus Seafarers Identification and Sea Service Record Books (SISRB) and Endorsements attesting the recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency and the findings of the study on fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and endorsements, conducted by the Seafarers International Research Centre (SIRC) of Cardiff University, this Administration in its effort to eliminate unlawful practices associated with Certificates of competency and endorsements, requires a more stringent procedure to be followed for the issue of Cyprus endorsements attesting the recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency to seafarers holding non national certificates of competency.

As from 27 December 2001, Companies are hereby required to follow the instructions shown in this section when applying for the issue of Cyprus endorsements attesting the recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency to seafarers holding non-national certificates of competency.

All Masters and Officers holding STCW95 Certificates of competency issued by or on behalf of a competent Authority recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, other than the competent Authority of the country of their nationality, when applying to this Administration for the issue of a Cyprus endorsement attesting the recognition of non-Cyprus certificates of competency must follow the “expanded” verification procedure shown in this Section.

Notwithstanding the above, holders of certificates of competency issued by Maritime Administrations of Member States of the European Union and nationals of the former States of U.S.S.R, holding certificates of competency issued by or on behalf of members to the European Union or of former States of U.S.S.R, recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, are not required to follow the “expanded” verification procedure for the issue of Cyprus endorsements attesting the recognition of non Cyprus certificates of competency.

Each application for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus certificate to a seafarer holding non-national certificate of competency must be submitted to the Headquarters of the Department on Form MS.TC. 7, “Application for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus Certificate to a seafarer holding a certificate of competency issued by competent Authorities other than those of the country of his /her nationality ” shown in Annex 3.

Applications may be obtained from the Headquarters of the Department, the Overseas Offices of the Department or may be directly downloaded from the “Training and Certification” section of the website of the Department at www.shipping.gov.cy.

It must be noted that the application form for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus certificate to a seafarer holding non national certificates of competency (Form MS.TC 7) will be revised from time to time. Applicants must use the latest version available at the time of application. Applications made with outdated versions of Form MS.TC 7 may be rejected.

It must also be noted that the Department will approve such applications only whenever it has established that the training and certification requirements followed, do not substantially deviate from the training and certification requirements provided by the Cyprus legislation.

The application form (MS.TC 7) must be completed in the Greek and English language or in the English language alone and the information must be printed legibly in capital letters. Failure to complete the application form properly, giving all the required information, may result in the rejection of the application or a delay in its processing.

The application form must be signed by the applicant himself. Failure of the applicant to reproduce the signature shown on his application form may result in the cancellation, withdrawal or suspension of the endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus certificate issued to the seafarer.

Each application for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus Certificate to a seafarer holding a certificate of competency which has not been issued by his country of nationality must be supported by the following:

1. Two passport size photographs.

2. A certified copy of the certificate and endorsement to be recognised.

3. Photocopy of the Medical fitness certificate.

4. Photocopies of national certificates of competency held. (If Any).

5. Photocopies of non national certificates of competency held.

6. Proof of maritime training (If Any).

7. Proof of sea service during the last five years.

8. Proof of sea service immediately prior to obtaining the highest grade certificate held.

9. Declaration regarding Cyprus legislation and national requirements.

10. Fees.

It should be noted that failure to submit all the required documents, photographs and fees, will result in the rejection of the application.

If the documents required are not in the Greek or English language, an official duly certified translation of the documents into Greek or English must also be submitted with the application. The translations must identify the translator for verification purposes.

Two passport size (3.5 x 4.5 cm) photographs, facial front view of the applicant, taken within a year preceding the application, with the applicant’s name and surname printed on the reverse side.

A certified copy of the certificate and endorsement to be recognised, issued by a foreign Administration in accordance with the relevant provisions of the STCW 1978, Convention as amended and in force at the time of application. The copy of the certificate and endorsement must be certified by the issuing Authority or by a Cyprus Consul or a Cyprus Honorary Consul or by a Marine Surveyor or any other Officer of the Department of Merchant Shipping.

Notwithstanding the above, if the authenticity and the validity of a certificate can be verified via the Internet, by direct access to an electronic database maintained by the Certificate issuing Authority, a copy of the certificate and endorsement to be recognised, is sufficient.

Photocopy of the medical fitness certificate issued in accordance with the relevant provisions of the ILO Medical Examination (Seafarers) Convention, 1946 (No.73) and the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW78, as amended, by or on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus or any other competent Authority the certificates of competency of which are recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus at the time of application.

The medical fitness examination must be carried out not more than 18 months before the date of submission of this application.

Clear photocopy of all national certificates of competency issued to the applicant until the date of application, regardless of whether they have expired or not.

Clear photocopy of all certificates of competency issued to the applicant by competent Authorities of countries other than that of his nationality until the date of application, regardless of whether they have expired or not, other than the certificate of competency for which a Cyprus recognition endorsement has been requested.

Clear photocopy of diplomas, or any other documentary evidence of successful completion of maritime training leading to the issue of a national or non national certificate of competency to the applicant.

As a proof of sea service, a copy of sea service certificates issued by the flag-states of the vessels on which the applicant has served, or a copy of the pages of the applicant’s seaman’s book in which the personal identification details and the relevant sea service of the applicant are shown, issued by or on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus or any other competent Authority the certificates of competency of which are recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus at the time of the application are accepted.

As a proof of sea service, a copy of sea service certificates issued by the flag-states of the vessels on which the applicant has served, or a copy of the pages of the applicant’s seaman’s book in which the personal identification details and the relevant sea service of the applicant are shown, issued by or on behalf of the Government of the Republic of Cyprus or any other competent Authority the certificates of competency of which are recognised by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus at the time of the application are accepted.

Masters, Chief Officers, Chief Engineers and Second Engineers must also submit a signed declaration concerning their knowledge of Cyprus legislation and requirements relevant to their position and duties.

It should be noted that Officers in charge of a navigational watch and Officers in charge of an Engine room watch must also submit the above declaration if their certificate of competency allows them to serve on board a vessel at a higher capacity.

The required declaration (Form MS.TC.3) to be submitted, is shown on the last page of the Guidance Document, entitled, “Familiarisation with National Maritime Legislation and Requirements”.

Masters, Chief Officers, Chief Engineers and Second Engineers must have the aforementioned Guidance Document with them, while serving on board Cyprus flag vessels.

The above Guidance Document and the declaration form (Form MS.TC.3) may be obtained from the Headquarters of the Department, the Overseas Offices of the Department or may be directly downloaded from the website of the Department at www.shipping.gov.cy.

It must be noted that the “Familiarisation with National Maritime Legislation and Requirements” Guidance Document and Form MS.TC 3 may be revised from time to time. Applicants must use the latest version available at the time of application. Declarations made on outdated versions of Form MS.TC 3 may be rejected.

The required fees shown on Form MS.TC. 7 (Annex 3) in Cyprus pounds or the equivalent amount in a foreign currency must be paid in cash or by a Banker’s Draft or a Cyprus based Bank cheque in favour of “The Director of Department of Merchant Shipping”, to the Department of Merchant Shipping or to any diplomatic mission or a Maritime Office of the Republic abroad

4. Revision of Form MS. TC 1, (Application for Seafarer’s Identification and Sea Service Record Book), Form MS. TC 2 (Application for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus Certificate) and Form MS. TC 3 (Familiarisation with National Maritime Legislation and Requirements)

In view of the new Form MS.TC. 7 and the revised list of Parties to the STCW Convention whose certificates of competency are recognized by the Government of the Republic of Cyprus, Form MS. TC 1, (Application for Seafarer’s Identification and Sea Service Record Book), Form MS. TC 2 (Application for the issue of an endorsement attesting the recognition of a non Cyprus Certificate) and Form MS. TC 3 (Familiarisation with National Maritime Legislation and Requirements) have been amended. The revised forms are shown in Annexes 4 to 6 and may be obtained from the Headquarters of the Department, the Overseas Offices of the Department or may be directly downloaded from the website of the Department at http://www.shipping.gov.cy.

• Attached file