Marine Order 3 Consultation Draft
Marine Order 3 – Seafarer Certification (MO3) is the key piece of regulation under the Navigation Act 1912 that sets AMSA’s training and certification standards for seafarers to work on Australian ships. It provides the framework for:
- training and qualification,
- revalidation and endorsement of Certificates of Competency for Masters, Deck and Engineer Officers,
- Certificates of Proficiency for ratings, and
- Certificates of Recognition for certificates issued by foreign countries.
Key principles outlined within MO3 are derived from the International Convention of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). STCW is a Convention of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) that Australia ratified in 1983.
This Convention applies in 153 countries and ensures minimum training and certification standards for the world’s 1.2 million seafarers are applied internationally. The STCW Convention was amended in 2010 at the Manila Conference.
This MO3 Consultation Draft brings into effect the changes to the Convention arising from the Manila amendments and also modernises the seafarer certificate structure to allow a more streamlined career pathway for seafarers.
An electronic version of the MO 3 Consultation Draft can be obtained here: www.amsa.gov.au/shipping_safety/marine_orders/MO3_Consultation/MO3_issue-111208A.pdf or by contacting mo3@amsa.gov.au
The MO3 Consultation Draft is supported by a number of explanatory documents to help explain the changes.
Fact Sheet 3 – Structure and Format
Fact Sheet 4 – Transition Arrangements
Information sessions were held in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne and Fremantle during 30 January – 2 February 2012, with approximately 150 people attending.
Attendees varied from seafarers (Deck, Engineers and Ratings), shipping operators, union association and training representatives.
A copy of the presentation may be found below, along with an explanation diagram of the IR Training Program and a table detailing what STCW short courses may be completed onboard and onshore to demonstrate continued competence for revalidation of Certificate of Competencies beyond 31 December 2016.
The period for public comment has closed and AMSA is considering all feedback.