QSS on Trailer Hopper Suction Dredgers
The Gaining of Qualifying Sea Service (QSS) for Deck Personnel on Trailer Hopper Suction Dredgers Operating in Ports, Inshore and Limited Near-Coastal Areas.
Introduction
For the information and future reference of operators of, and for Masters, Deck Officers and Ratings employed upon, TRAILER SUCTION HOPPER DREDGERS (TSHD).
After consultation and research, what follows is the determination of qualifying sea service (QSS) by the Manager, Ship Operations & Qualifications, AMSA (Manager), as equivalent sea service under Marine Orders Part 3 (MO3) provision 15, with respect to QSS for deck officers and ratings serving on a TSHD.
Scope
The determinations are for seafarers serving on TSHDs ONLY with the “stated operations” being that of a dredger whilst involved in dredging operations within coastal waters or port locations in Australia or at any other stated coastal waters or port in the world.
When voyaging under its own propulsion from one port, or area of the world, to another during a vessel re-location, a TSHD is considered as a normal trading vessel of it’s gross tonnage, and formally logged and evidenced sea service during this time at sea, will be counted appropriately as qualifying sea service.
Whilst performing the stated operations TSHDs are normally operating on a 24-hour basis, any departure from this operational mode must be declared to the Manager for assessment.
In regards to radio communications onboard, even though fitted with GMDSS, the nature of the work dictates that the equipment is rarely utilized when the TSHD is on stated operations, apart from required testing, and it is assumed that any radio communications during the stated operations, would generally be conducted by VHF radio.
The following applies to the assessment of equivalent sea service on the vessel for seafarers wishing to gain QSS towards the issue or revalidation of an AMSA certificate listed in this document. The determinations are confined to only those areas of the MO3 relevant to the seafarers likely to be involved in employment on a TSHD.
QSS towards an un-restricted Watchkeeper (Deck)(DWK) CoC
Deck Cadets with service on a THSD during the stated operations
- As part of the overall qualifying sea service requirements of MO3, section 25.7(b)(i), AMSA will accept up to a maximum of 15 months sea service as a deck cadet on a trailer suction dredger of the required gross tonnage (GT) during the stated operations, as equivalent sea service towards the deck cadet qualifying sea service requirement of 18 months to gain an unrestricted Deck Watch-keeper certificate of competency, and
- The remaining 3 months must be served on trading vessels of the required GT, on voyages of 24 hours or more in duration, (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port), and
- 3 months of the required officer of the watch understudy service (6 months) must be served on trading vessels of 500GT or greater, on voyages of 24 hours or more in duration, (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port),
- The maximum of 15 months equivalent sea service as a deck cadet on a TSHD of the required GT during the stated operations, can also be applied to a “Front Ended” trained deck cadet, but when applied to this training program, the cadets equivalent sea service on a TSHD during the stated operations, must be split into 9 months during the first sea-going phase and 6 months during the second sea-going phase, leaving the balance of 3 months to be served on trading vessels of the required GT, on voyages of 24 hours or more in duration, (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port). The understudying of the officer of the watch service (6 months), which is completed during the second sea-going phase, must include at least 3 months served on trading vessels of the required GT, on voyages of 24 hours or more in duration, (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port),
Integrated Ratings (IR’s), AB’s and other Deck Ratings applying for Watchkeeper (Deck) CoC with service on a THSD during the stated operations
- As part of the overall qualifying sea service requirements of MO3, section 25.7(b)(ii) &(iii), AMSA will accept all service as a rating on a TSHD of the required GT during the stated operations, to count as equivalent sea service towards the qualifying sea service requirements to gain an unrestricted Deck Watch-keeper certificate of competency, as long as at least 3 months of the required officer of the watch understudy service (6 months) must be served on trading vessels of the required GT, on voyages of 24 hours or more in duration, (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port),
Holders of State certificates or lower grade AMSA certificates applying for Mate and Master < 500GT CoC
Service on a TSHD of the required GT during the stated operations,
- Will be allowed in full as equivalent sea service, of the QSS required, as long as the service is served legally (ie the person holds a certificate or endorsement with the capacity to serve in the position held, and
- Of the required 12 months on voyages of 24 hours or more duration, service on the dredger will be allowed in full as equivalent sea service.
QSS towards a Chief Mate CoC for the holders of a Watch-keeper (Deck) CoC, or a certificate considered equivalent by the Manager
Service on a TSHD of the required GT during the stated operations,
- Will be allowed in full as equivalent sea service, of the QSS required, whilst holding a Deck Watch-Keeping certificate, or equivalent, and
- Of the required 12 months on voyages of 24 hours or more duration, service on the dredger will be allowed in full as equivalent sea service.
QSS towards a Master CoC for the holders of a Chief Mate CoC, or a certificate considered equivalent by the Manager
Service on a THSD during the stated operations
- Will accrue at full rate up to a maximum 30 months equivalent sea service, of the required 36 months QSS since holding a Deck Watch-Keeping certificate, or equivalent, and
- Will be allowed in full as equivalent sea service, of the QSS required, (minimum 12 months) to be served whilst holding a Chief Mates certificate, and
- Of the required 24 months on voyages of 24 hours or more duration, equivalent sea service on the vessel will accrue at full rate, up to a maximum of 20 months QSS. The remaining 4 months QSS must be served on appropriate ships on voyages of 24 hours or more duration (this can include service on a dredger when not on stated operations, ie re-locating to another port).
QSS towards an IR Certificate of Proficiency
Trainee IR (Australian Seafarer Trainee) & Bridging IR Trainees
- As part of the overall qualifying sea service requirements of MO3, section 38.2.1(c)(i)(ii)&(iii), AMSA will accept all of the sea service stipulated in each case, served as a trainee on a TSHD of the required GT during the stated operations, to count as equivalent sea service towards the qualifying sea service requirements necessary to gain an IR certificate of proficiency, with the proviso that the trainee is to complete logged bridge and lookout duties of at least 3 months QSS.
QSS for Revalidation Purposes
Deck Certificates of competency
Service on a THSD during the stated operations
- Applicants for revalidation who have completed at least 12 months in the preceding 5 years service on a TSHD during stated operations, may apply to the Manager in respect to the “equivalent functions” criteria detailed on the AMSA website at: http://www.amsa.gov.au/Marine_Qualifications/Certificate_Revalidation/
- Approved qualifying sea service for revalidation required by MO3, section 10.1(a)(ii), will not be satisfied by service on a TSHD, and to satisfy this requirement all 3 months of the QSS immediately pre-ceding application for revalidation, must be completed on a trading ship of appropriate tonnage to the CoC being revalidated, on voyages of greater than 24 hours (this can include service on a TSHD when not on stated operations, i.e. re-locating to another port).
GMDSS General Operators Certificates (GMDSS GOC)
Service on a THSD during the stated operations
- Sea service only on a TSHD will not satisfy the 12 months sea service in the preceding 5 years, required to revalidate a GMDSS GOC under Marine Orders Part 6, section 8.3, and such persons wishing to revalidate their GMDSS GOC will need to complete an AMSA approved GMDSS revalidation course (3 days).