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Seafarer Certification, Training, and cooperation with Training Institutes
Dr Ivan Tabone Deputy Chief Officer Merchant Shipping Directorate
Alexandra Ellul – Manager in the Office of the CO Merchant Shipping Directorate
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Earlier this year, an agreement was signed between MCAST and MaritimeMT, which aimed at exploring avenues of cooperation and collaboration between the two institutes in a bid to offer the best experience and the highest quality of training for seafarers.
The signing of the agreement was presided by the Minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Capital Projects, Hon. Dr. Ian Borg, together with the Minister for Education, Hon. Dr Justyne Caruana. During the signing ceremony, Hon. Dr. Borg stated that,
The Government’s resolve on this matter was further emphasised by Hon. Dr. Caruana who announced that MCAST is investing more than half a million euro for a state-of-theart Maritime Unit, and that from the next academic year MCAST will start offering an Advanced Diploma in Deck Operations.
This article shall take a look at the educational aspects within the maritime sector, delve into Seafarer Certification and training, and explore a number of vocational institutions that provide such training. It shall also look at how cooperation has developed between Transport Malta and these institutions over the past years.
Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Convention
The ‘Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers’ (STCW) Convention came into force in 1978, setting for the first time uniform international standards in training requirements for seafarers engaged on merchant ships.
The adoption of the STCW Convention was part of an effort made by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to standardise maritime training across the world. Before 1978, certification and watchkeeping of officers and ratings were established by individual governments, usually without reference to practices in other countries, despite the global nature of the shipping sector. As a result, minimum standards and procedures varied widely, leading to instances where one country would not accept another’s training standards, resulting in extended delays of vessels in ports.
Following the entry into force of the STCW Convention, anyone wishing to work on commercial vessels larger than twenty-four metres would need to obtain STCW qualifications by following approved courses known as Basic Safety Training before seeking employment. The STCW Convention and code were amended in 1995 and again in 2010, while a separate treaty, known as STCW-F, came into force in 2012, thus extending the principles of the STCW Convention to fishing vessels over 24 metres in length.
Qualifications required depend on the rank desired by the seafarer and the position to be assigned on board the vessel. At the most basic level, training includes firefighting and fire prevention, personal and social responsibilities, personal survival techniques, elementary first aid, and proficiency in security awareness.
One particularly important feature of the Convention is that it also applies to when vessels flying flags of states who are not party to the Convention visit ports of states which are party to the Convention. The difficulties which could arise for ships of
states which have not acceded to the Convention is one reason why the Convention has received such a wide acceptance. By 2018, the STCW Convention had 164 Parties, representing 99.2 per cent of the world shipping tonnage.
Malta acceded to the IMO STCW 1978 Convention as amended. However, Maltese ships are additionally subject to the provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act and ancillary regulations concerning the competency of officers and seafarers.
The certification of seafarers falls within the responsibility of the Registrar General of Shipping and Seamen, and certification and training accreditation are handled by the Seafarer Department within the Merchant Shipping Directorate.
The Directorate issues internationally recognised certificates of competence after successful completion of approved courses and examinations conducted to very rigorous standards. Training is offered by twenty-six accredited training providers overseen by the Seafarer Department. Given the fact that there are no restrictions imposed on the nationality of the master, officers, and crew engaged on Maltese registered ships, the Seafarer Department regulates training centres in both Malta and abroad with training centres located in Greece, Italy and Turkey.
Further to the STCW Convention, the Malta Maritime Administration has entered into bilateral agreements with over 34 foreign maritime administrations for the recognition of certificates of competence issued to seafarers in compliance with the STCW convention. The Seafarer Department, on average, processes over 20,000 endorsement applications per annum from officers serving or wanting to serve on Maltese ships attesting the recognition of their certificate of competency issued by foreign Administrations.
New STCW Courses
As of November 2020, the Merchant Shipping Directorate developed new courses intended for seafarers working on superyachts. Superyachts are luxury yachts exceeding twenty-four meters in length. Over the past five years, the Maltese Ship Register has seen a 50% increase in the registration of these luxury vessels, peaking in 2020 with 850 superyachts flying the Maltese eight-pointed cross, making the Maltese Ship Register the largest superyachts Register in the world. Increased superyacht registrations also mean a higher number of seafarers working on these vessels. Training programmes have therefore been developed in conjunction with the industry and in accordance to the provisions of the STCW Convention and the Laws of Malta.
The Merchant Shipping Directorate has also developed a framework and syllabus, in accordance with the STCW Convention, intended to assist accredited training centres
in developing training programmes leading to the certification of Officers in Charge of Navigational Watch on yachts of less than three thousand gross tonnage (GT) and of Masters on Yachts of less than 500GT.
New non‑STCW Courses
The Maltese registered yacht fleet exceeds 5000 vessels under twenty-four metres in length. To certify the crew that works on these yachts and improve career opportunities for these seafarers, the Merchant Shipping Directorate has developed five model courses to assist accredited training centres in developing their own training programmes leading to non-STCW certificates intended to be used on yachts and workboats.
The new training programmes include courses leading to the certification of Recreational Skippers competent to skipper pleasure yachts up to thirty-five nautical miles from safe haven within the Mediterranean Sea, without any restriction on the engine horsepower.
Additionally, new Master certificates have been introduced for Master on Yachts of less than two hundred gross tonnage for voyages limited to sixty nautical miles in non-tidal waters, for voyages of one-hundredfifty nautical miles from safe haven, and for unlimited voyages. These certificates may also be topped up by a workboat training module, which would give trainees the essential education and training to skipper a workboat of less than two hundred gross tonnage, carrying less than twelve passengers and any other operational limitations. These new courses shall be added to the one hundred sixty-five maritime training courses already approved and overseen by the Merchant Shipping Directorate. Vocational Institutions with strong historical cooperation with the Transport Authority.
Over time, a number of vocational institutions came to the fore to provide courses and training for seafarers and mariners. T-21 caught up with a number of institutes to discover more what this sector is offering.
MaritimeMT – Seafarers’ Development
Derived from the Malta Maritime Pilots Co-operative Society (MMP) which had a long-standing relationship with the ex-Malta Maritime Authority (MMA) now forming part of Transport Malta, the MaritimeMT brand was launched in May 2018 and builds on the work and experience of the Mediterranean Research and Training Centre (MMRTC), which was established in July 2010 as the training arm of the MMP. Mr. Joseph Meli, Marketing and Operations Manager within MaritimeMT, gave T-21 an overview of the institute.
Officially set up in March of 2003 and made up of 16 Master Mariners and Pilots sharing common values, the MMP Coop provides marine vessel pilot services in Malta’s main ports; the Grand Harbour, the Port of
Marsaxlokk, the Port of Marsamxett, and the Port of Mġarr in Gozo.
The main objective of the MMRTC Coop is to plan, develop, prepare, and deliver courses and programmes that will enhance the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of those endeavouring within the maritime industry. Together, the Cooperatives also provide consultancies relevant to pilotage, navigation, and seafaring.
Since its inception, the MMRTC Coop has obtained certification through Det Norske Veritas (DNV) as a certified facility, while Transport Malta has fully accredited the organisation as an accredited maritime training centre. Today, operating under the brand name of MaritimeMT, the centre is a onestop-shop for training, education, information, research, and ancillary services for seafarers and shorebased personnel.
The MaritimeMT Training Centre provides vocational services, not only for the Maltese Maritime Sector but also for the International Maritime Community. The Training Centre carries out STCW Training & certification, Ship Handling courses, accredited training on Commercial Vessels, Super Yacht courses, basic maritime training for recreational skippers, and any other bespoke training targeting both seafarers and shore-based personnel. MaritimeMT’s objective is to provide a holistic maritime curriculum development, in an ongoing exercise with industry stakeholders and the Authority of Transport in Malta.
In October 2019, MaritimeMT officially moved its operations into the newly built Training Centre facility in Ħal Far. It houses two Full Manoeuvring Bridge Simulators that are used for research, consultancy, and training purposes. These simulators, which are intuitive and offer real-time navigation, are run in conjunction with MARIN (Maritime Research Institute Netherlands), and are also approved by DNV.
At MaritimeMT, courses are carried out by qualified training providers who are evaluated in line with the demands of the maritime industry. Clients’ constructive feedback also helps shape and update the training experience.
Training is offered via a Blended Learning approach with courses offered to participants through a Digital Learning Management System. This approach allows participants to either complete full certificates remotely, either through
c. MCAST
e-Learning and/or guided learning, or else, to complete segments of their training remotely and only visit the training centre facility for those modules which require practical training and/or examination.
The two Full Manoeuvre Bridge Simulators are complimented with a further four Kelvin Hughes ECDIS Simulators, a five-station GMDSS Simulator for Radio Communication training, and a three-station Liquid Cargo Simulator for Advanced Oil Tanker Training, installed and powered by Konsberg, one of the sector’s leading providers of equipment and technology on-board vessels. The new setup also houses six immersive classrooms, a seamanship and engineering workshop, as well as a hospitality training facility in the form of a galley with a deck that mimics the realities found onboard super yachts. Through continuous investment, MaritimeMT aims to become an international centre of excellency which will in turn help nurture and re-kindle a strong interest in the Maltese maritime sector, both in Malta as well as internationally. The MCAST Centre for Maritime Studies
The Centre for Maritime Studies (CMS), or Maritime Centre as it is commonly referred to, forms part of the Institute of Engineering and Transport (IET) at the Malta College for Arts, Science and Technology (MCAST), which is the main institution in Malta which provides vocational education.
Mr. Eugenio Busuttil, Deputy Director within the Centre for Maritime Studies, states that, “FOR MANY DECADES AND SINCE THE AMALGAMATION OF MCAST WAY BACK IN 2001, THE MARITIME CENTRE HAS BEEN OFFERING A RANGE OF EDUCATIONAL MARITIME PROGRAMMES AT DIFFERENT QUALIFICATION LEVELS, SUPPORTING BOTH LOCAL AND INTERNATIONAL DEMANDS IN THE MARITIME INDUSTRY THROUGH PROVEN QUALIFIED AND EXPERIENCED LECTURERS AND MENTORS.”
The CMS offers both full-time and part-time courses. Subjects taught include a three-year introductory course leading to a Diploma in Deck Operations (MQF Level 3). This Diploma can be built upon by successful students, to progress to ranking officers such as Officer-inCharge of Navigational Watch, Chief Mate, and even to Master Mariner (Captain), achieving the ultimate full qualification as required by the maritime industry.
Courses include local training at MCAST and training at sea on board ocean-going ships around the World. Successful
completion of these courses leads to an internationally recognised Certificate of Competence issued by Transport Malta’s Merchant Shipping Directorate.
The Maritime Centre also offers Marine Engineering courses where one can commence with an Advanced Diploma in Marine engineering and continue stepping up to a BSc (Hons) in Maritime Engineering. Each course is spread over three academic years, during which workshops are also available for students to carry out practical exercises as well as their thesis.
Besides students spending time in their classrooms attending regular lectures, simulation exercises are also offered as these are a crucial element to understanding and familiarising themselves with reallife situations and operations before moving out to actual life at sea. This gives opportunities to practice in difficult and/or emergency situations where strict control of the vessel comes into force. MCAST has invested and set up three simulators, a state-of-the-art Bridge, GMDSS, and ECDIS. The Maritime administration is now considering setting up a maritime engine room simulator for the engineering department.
A significant number of students, averaging to 55 candidates, are currently reading the deck course, whereas 30 candidates read the engineering courses annually.
In addition, the Maritime Centre offers STCW ancillary short courses and licences required to operate sea crafts in local waters. These include licences for owners and operators of all kinds of boats. Other short courses are intended for port workers and local maritime entities where a significant training level is required.
Furthermore, the MCAST CMS is building capacity to be able to deliver three suits of courses related to the super yacht industry with an Advanced Diploma in Deck Operations, an Advanced Diploma in Marine Engineering, and an Advanced Diploma in Yacht Interior and Hospitality Operations. These courses will be pegged at MQF Level 4 and will be delivered through both face-to-face and blended learning modes.
c. Xone
The Centre for Maritime Studies is committed to support and deliver careers in navigation, marine, engineering, management of ships, and exclusive positions within the maritime industry.
Xone Superyacht Academy
On his part, Mr. Levent Baktir, Managing Director of Xone Superyacht Academy, told T-21 that, “Xone Superyacht Academy has aimed to acquire the highest, innovative, and creative standards of training in the Yachting Industry since 2011. To achieve this goal, we have worked with distinctive instructors who have a recognised academic background, vast experience in yachting, teaching qualifications, and certifications, as well as being accredited by internationally recognised institutions, indicated below”.
Xone Superyacht Academy has held its Quality Management System ISO 9001:2015 certification from the Lloyds Register QA for more than 10 years, separately for both Malta and Gocek branches.
As the world is now rediscovering the Yachting Industry including all related commercial activities, all
c. Xone the IMO member Flag States have mutually agreed that this activity is to be regulated under requirements and codes similar to Merchant Shipping.
“Therefore, as days go by, it is becoming absolute priority to comply with all the regulations, conventions, and codes in place. Xone Superyacht Academy is one of a limited number of training providers presently accredited to deliver courses leading to STCW Certificates of Competency by the Flag Administrations of Malta, The Marshall Islands, and Turkey. At Xone Academy, we are actively offering and giving all these courses and training as we have been doing for the last 15 years”.
On the other hand, apart from our Training Department and our valuable and experienced lecturing team and coordinators, Xone Superyacht Group is growing over time and approaching its target with each step taken.
In addition to holding accreditation as Registrar of respected Flag States, Xone is a well-preferred Superyacht Management firm, that completed over 110 managementrelated projects, including new builds. It presently also holds full management of 19 Superyachts, accommodating 14 office employees including top-class surveyors, wellexperienced Project Managers, and Crewing Managers. Xone is also a yacht recruitment firm with more than 2,500 crew databases, and holds an MLC 2006 Compliance certificate from IACS member Class Society of Bureau Veritas.
“At Xone we try to be all inclusive in an industry that sometimes lacks diversity in its field. We support and work with SheFarers and have launched a SheXone campaign where we strive to encourage women to take the step towards the deck department and thus create a world where we see more women becoming captains, engineers, and leading Crewmembers”.
“Our campaign also gives special discounts to women for our Superyacht Deckhand packages and strives to create a community where women, in a male driven department, become the new norm and diminish the sexualised gap that has been created in the industry, while allowing support from other women in the industry through our Crew Zone. We are establishing our Crew zone Facebook page to become a safe place where those interested can ask all their questions, seek guidance, and allow for a community of support in order to move forward”. “Since expanding our company to Malta in June 2019, Xone continued to work closely with Transport Malta to develop and deliver premium superyacht courses and guidance to those new to the industry and to the more advanced ‘Salty Seadogs’”.
“Along with Transport Malta, we also provide qualifications/certifications and accreditations by internationally recognised institutions such as PYA, MCA, IYT Worldwide, QualSafe, and IMO white List flag states of Marshall Islands and Turkey.” Courses offered at Xone Superyacht Academy, in accordance with Transport Malta, and approved by the Malta Flag State, include:
• STCW II/1 Less than 3000 GT Officer in Charge of a
Navigational Watch Certificate of Competency (Malta); • STCW II/2 Less than 500GT
Superyacht Master Certificate of Competency (Malta); • TM 200 GT SUPERYACHT
MASTER 150 nm • AEC – Accredited Engine (Rating) Course • GMDSS - GOC (General
Operator Certificate) Course • RADAR/ ARPA- Automatic
Radar Plotting Aid; and • EDH – Efficient Deck Hand. • “Xone is also in the process
c. Xone
of establishing, a soon-to-beaccredited Transport Malta Nautical Licence course which is aimed to be offered before this summer.”
The Malta Maritime Forum
In the meantime, the Malta Maritime Forum in conjunction with MaritimeMT and the full endorsement of Transport Malta, will also be running a Marine Induction Course over the month of April. It is aimed at attracting persons already working in the Maritime Industry as well as people who are interested to work in the Maritime Industry.
The Course is designed for shorebased personnel working in the Port Authority, in Ship Agency Services, or as Freight Forwarding Agents, Terminal Operators, and other maritime related service providers.
The objectives of this course are:
• To create awareness to newly employed personnel in landbased jobs of the shipping industry • To impart a sense of situational awareness in the candidates so as to reduce accidents • To familiarise new candidates with ships and port regulations so as to avoid unnecessary mistakes and to increase efficiency; and • To familiarise new candidates with a ship’s working procedures and personnel so as to have a better working relationship.
Expected Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this course, the candidates will have gained the necessary knowledge in the following topics:
• An introduction to the shipping industry, including vessel types, trades and terminology • Health and Safety on board and in terminals • Security and safe movement in ports and ships • Legislation • Environmental protection; and • Maintaining an effective working relationship.
For further information, contact can be made on the following e-mail addresses/websites:
Maritime MT: www.maritimemt.edu.mt or send an email to info@maritimtemt.edu.mt.
MCAST: MCAST – The Malta College of Arts, Science & Technology
