Seafarers can ring-fence old domestic tickets

Seafarers can ring-fence old domestic tickets

29 August 2016
It is now easier for seafarers with most old and legacy tickets to continue working.

Seafarers can “ring-fence” their tickets, so they can retain them without the cost of moving into the new SeaCert framework.

Changes to the seafarer certification rules have been signed by Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss, and come into force on September 30 this year.
Under the new rule, seafarers can register from September 30, free-of-charge, to ring-fence any of more than 30 old or legacy domestic tickets.

Maritime NZ’s new seafarer certification system, SeaCert, was introduced in 2014, creating a single cohesive framework that provides seafarers with clear career pathways, and certificates that are recognised internationally.

But feedback from industry was that some seafarers with older domestic tickets wanted only to continue what they are doing, without adding to their operating privileges.

Some tickets will still need to be moved (or transitioned) to new certificates on the SeaCert framework, particularly tickets that enable seafarers to work in waters where international conventions apply.

Maritime NZ Director Keith Manch said the ability to ring-fence some old or legacy domestic tickets would suit many seafarers – and save them money.

“We’ve heard from industry that many seafarers with these old or legacy tickets just want to keep doing what they are doing, without increasing their operating limits or privileges,” he said.

“Ring-fencing will let them do this. And by not requiring them to move to a new SeaCert ticket they will save from $372 to $592.”

Advice for seafarers on how their tickets are affected is available on the Maritime NZ website at: www.maritimenz.govt.nz/legacy
Under the new rules:

Seafarers are able to ring-fence any eligible old or legacy certificates they hold, or have held in the past, even if they have expired.

These seafarers can still transition to a SeaCert ticket if they choose. They can also ring-fence a ticket and use the same ticket to transition into SeaCert at any time in the future.

For many seafarers, ring-fencing is the best option, but they must register the tickets they want to ring-fence by 1 September 2017. Any ticket not registered by this date will no longer be valid.

Seafarers can register from September 30 online or call 0508 669 734, or talk to a Maritime NZ maritime officer, for more information.

Seafarers who decide not to ring-fence a ticket, and want to move to a new SeaCert certificate, must also tell Maritime NZ what they are doing with their ticket by 1 September 2017.

Seafarers with AB or other ratings tickets do not need to ring-fence their tickets, and they no longer need to renew their tickets every five years.

If seafarers want to use a ring-fenced ticket to carry on working, or begin work immediately, they must obtain a medical certificate, within two years of the date of ring-fencing, (from any GP) confirming they are medically fit.
Medical certificates must be renewed every two years, if a seafarer is continuing to work.

If seafarers ring-fence a ticket for use at some time in the future, they must have a medical certificate confirming they are medically fit before they can use the ticket.

Seafarers can still choose at any time to transition a ring-fenced certificate to a SeaCert ticket using the usual transition process. If they choose to transition, they retain the ring-fenced certificate they have chosen to transition.

A seafarer who has both ring-fenced and transitioned to a new SeaCert ticket can decide at a future date to revert to the ring-fenced ticket.

Seafarers who have already transitioned a ticket that can now be ring-fenced (even if it had an expiry date that has passed) are still able to take advantage of the new rule.

Seafarers with a Skipper Restricted Limits ticket can now carry up to 19 passengers and can apply for an endorsement to enable them to go out to 100 nm from the New Zealand coast for a specified activity such as albacore trolling. Some ring-fenced ticket holders may also apply for this endorsement.These changes are made possible through amendments to Maritime Rules Part 32: Seafarer Certification (SeaCert), and to Part: 31 Crewing and Watchkeeping.

ENDS

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