Almost all crew who are employed on a ship are required to hold certificates according to STCW regulations. For deck officers and ratings, the requirements are determined by the gross tonnage of the ship. The requirements are also determined by the ship voyage.
A person with a Master Class 3 Certificate can sail as a master on a ship less than 500 tons provided that the ship stays within coastal waters of that country. The same ticket can enable him to travel as a second mate on international voyages of unlimited gross tonnage. A breakdown of serving capacity can be found in schedule 1 of the STCW regulation 2(1).
To join a Ship.
The WG Ships Agency and the personnel officer would ensure that every seaman has the following documents before joining the ship.
– Valid Passport: Check that the seaman passport is valid for not less than one year before expiry.
– Check that the seaman has a valid medical certificate and that no endorsement of illness or allergies is reported.
– Ensure that the seaman carries with him his seamen’s record bill as well as his certificate of competency.
– The certificate of competency must comply with the safe manning certificate of the vessel, enabling the seamen to serve on the ship up to the stipulation of his certificate.
– If the seaman is joining a foreign registered vessel, depending on the condition of entry and immigration act, he should possess a valid working visa of the Flag State of the vessel.
Personnel Officers Duties and Responsibilities.
The Personnel Officer assigned to work on behalf of ship owners should maintain comprehensive files that include the qualifications, contact details of next of kin and other relevant information relating to the seaman.
The personnel officer would also:
– Arrange medical check-ups for officers and crew to STCW and local government requirements.
– Maintain duty roster for officers and crew.
– Arrange for travel, visas, passports for crew as necessary and ensure they travel on time.
– Liaise with the Fiji Maritime College with respect to all schooling courses, and certification of the seaman.
– have an understanding of certification requirements of international tanker vessels.
Moreover, the utmost importance to the Personnel Officer is to develop and maintain a good working relationship with the officers and crew.
Visa Requirements in Fiji.
Under the Fiji Immigration Act, section 7 – exemptions paragraph (f) states that any person arriving into Fiji on the ship on which he/she is expected to depart within seven days after its original arrival does not require a visa. However, if the time period exceeds seven working days then the agent would be required to submit an application applying for a visa on behalf of the ship owners.
There are lists of countries that have exemptions to visa requirements thus enabling the captain and crew to stay for a period of up to maximum of 3 months without a visa. These countries, are generally Commonwealth countries, the first world countries and all of our Island neighbours.
Notable countries that are not on the exempted list are:
– China
– Vietnam
– All communist countries.