Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1979. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the discussions he or his Department have had with the Department of Transport to have marine qualifications and experience in the fishing industry recognised by the merchant navy and vice versa on a like-for-like basis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1384/22]
View answerCertificates of Competency are issued by the Department of Transport for service as officer on fishing vessels. Bord Iascaigh Mhara (BIM) one of my Department's marine agencies, deliver courses for the Irish catching, aquaculture and seafood processing sectors by training new entrants and upgrading the skills of existing practitioners. BIM has an established history in the area of training and skill development for the Irish Seafood Industry operating two national fisheries colleges; at Greencastle, Co Donegal and Castletownbere, Co Cork as well as mobile training units which deliver training in seafood harbours around the coast. BIM offer a range of programmes to deliver Department of Transport approved courses / certificates of competency and are internationally recognised qualifications that have been approved for the fishing sector, which also enable the holder to be employed across a range of maritime settings.
Holders of fishing vessel certificates of competency can obtain restricted STCW 78 Merchant Navy Certificates of Competency to allow for employment in standby, seismic survey or oceanographic research vessels which are certified by the Marine Survey Office. All STCW (Standards of Training, Certification of Watchkeeping) short course certificates which are offered by BIM and approved by the Department of Transport, including marine fire fighting, radio and personal survival techniques, are internationally recognised and support transferability of skills across the marine sector including the merchant marine.
BIM will continue to work closely with the Marine Survey Office in the Department of Transport with respect to transferable marine skills supporting the implementation of the Task Force Report.
