1.         It has been reported that some Maritime Training Centers have been accepting seafarers for re-training on Basic Safety Courses as allegedly required by some manning/shipping agencies although said seafarers have already taken the courses in accredited maritime training centers.

2.         Please be reminded that the training certificates issued by accredited maritime training centers shall be recognized until 2002 per 1978 STCW Convention as amended in 1995 STCW 95; unless the hiders of those certificates have not boarded any vessel within five years from their dates of issuance.

3.         The practice therefore of requiring seafarers to re-take the Basic Safety Courses/similar courses will incur unreasonable duplication and additional expense on the part of the seafarers.

4.         In view of the foregoing, accredited maritime training centers shall refrain from accepting seafarers to re-take Basic Safety Courses/similar courses.

For strict compliance