asked the Minister for Communications the Government's policy in relation to a future merchant shipping industry; if they realise that there is a necessity for a foreign-going service under that control; if they appreciate that the effect of the liquidation of Irish Shipping will be that there will be no qualified certificated foreign-going personnel and no trainees now that a new international regulation states that certs expire after five years ashore; if there is an EC requirement for a minimum foreign-going tonnage per member country and if so, what it is in relation to Ireland.
Written Answers. - Merchant Shipping Industry.
702.
In the aftermath of the liquidation of Irish Shipping Limited my Department are carrying out a review of policy in relation to the Irish merchant shipping industry. I am not yet in a position to make a statement in the matter.
The International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW) was ratified by Ireland on 11 September last and will come into force for Ireland with effect from 11 December next. The provisions of the STCW Convention in relation to the continued proficiency and updating of knowledge of masters and deck and engineer officers are set out in Marine Notices Nos. 23 and 24 of 1984 which were issued by my Department. Briefly, a certificate of competency or service held by a master, deck officer or engineer officer will remain valid for sea-going service for a period of five years from entry into force of the Convention or from the date of issue of the certificate, if later, subject to the holder being medically fit for such service. Thereafter, the certificate will remain valid for sea-going service for a further five year period if the holder has served in his certificated capacity in sea-going ships of any flag for the last 12 months (which need not be continuous) during the preceding five years. Alternatively, satisfactory completion of an approved shore-based updating course or three months sea-going service of a specified kind may be sufficient to revalidate a certificate. The foregoing requirements, moreover, may be waived in certain circumstances e.g. if the holder of a certificate has served in certain employments which provide equivalent experience to sea service. Marine Notices 23 and 24 of 1984 set out the relevant details.
There is no EC requirement for a minimum foreign-going tonnage per member country.