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* Worldwide – Guidance on seafarers’ security certification agreed
* Hong Kong, Hong Kong – Marine Site Investigation at Tai O
DATE: February 26, 2014
COUNTRY: Worldwide
Guidance on seafarers’ security certification agreed
Guidance on training and certification requirements for ship security
officers and seafarers with designated security duties has been agreed by
IMO [the International Maritime Organisation], to address practical
difficulties seafarers have reportedly experienced in obtaining the
necessary security certification under the 2010 Manila amendments to the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and STCW Code.
The guidance recommends that, until 1 July 2015, relevant training under
section 13 (Training, drills and exercises on ship security) of the
International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code should be
accepted as being equivalent to that required under the STCW Convention and
Code.
The guidance was agreed by the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and
Watchkeeping (HTW), meeting for its first session from 17 to 21 February
2014, which expressed its concern that large numbers of seafarers were
reportedly unable to have access to approved training courses or were
unable to be issued certification of security-related training in
accordance with the STCW regulations.
The Sub-Committee approved an STCW circular on Advice for port State
control officers, recognized organizations and recognized security
organizations on action to be taken in cases where seafarers do not carry
certification required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the STCW
Convention and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code after 1
January 2014.
It also approved an STCW circular on Advice for port State control
officers, recognized organizations and recognized security organizations
clarifying training and certification requirements for ship security
officers and seafarers with designated security duties, which agrees that
ship security officer (SSO) training encompasses the competence
requirements of the STCW Code (section A-VI/6). Therefore, holders of SSO
certificates should not be required to undergo further training and obtain
certification.
(For information about operations worldwide, contact the respective GAC
office. For country specific details, go to ‘GAC Worldwide’ at gac.com)
Source: International Maritime Organisation (www.imo.org) Briefing dated 25
February 2014
DATE: February 26, 2014
COUNTRY: Hong Kong
PORT: Hong Kong
Marine Site Investigation at Tai O
For approximately 3 months, marine site investigation works involving
drilling of boreholes will be carried out [at Tai O] within the area
bounded by straight lines joining the following co-ordinates (WGS84 Datum)
from (A) to (K):
(A) 22 deg. 15.347’N / 113 deg. 51.035’E
(B) 22 deg. 15.114’N / 113 deg. 51.182’E
(C) 22 deg. 15.196’N / 113 deg. 51.464’E
(D) 22 deg. 15.229’N / 113 deg. 51.678’E
(E) 22 deg. 15.179’N / 113 deg. 51.701’E
(F) 22 deg. 15.124’N / 113 deg. 51.601’E
(G) 22 deg. 14.894’N / 113 deg. 51.643’E
(H) 22 deg. 14.786’N / 113 deg. 51.538’E
(I) 22 deg. 14.777’N / 113 deg. 51.481’E
(J) 22 deg. 15.086’N / 113 deg. 51.131’E
(K) 22 deg. 15.320’N / 113 deg. 50.985’E
The works will be carried out by one flat top barge and one jack-up
platform. One tug and one work boat will provide assistance. The number of
vessels engaged in the works will change from time to time to suit
operational requirements.
A working area of approximately 50 metres will be established around the
barge. Yellow markers buoys fitted with yellow flashing lights will be laid
to mark the positions of the anchors extending from the barge.
A working area of approximately 25 metres will be established around the
jack-up platform. Yellow flashing lights will be installed at the four
corners of the platform to indicate the position of the platform.
The hours of work will be from 0700 to 1900 hours. No works will be carried
out on Sundays and public holidays. Vessels employed for the works will
stay in the works area outside the hours of work.
Vessels engaged in the operations will display signals as prescribed in
international and local regulations.
Vessels navigating in the vicinity should proceed with caution.
(For information about operations in Hong Kong contact GAC Hong Kong at
shipping.hongkong@gac.com)
Source: Government of Hong Kong SAR Marine Department Notice No.29 of 2014
dated 25 February 2014
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