The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) informs that four new certificates of competency for seafarers working on commercial motor yachts will be introduced in Australia from early 2016.
After consultation between AMSA the commercial yachting Industry, Yachting Australia, the Australian Maritime College and the Transport Logistics Industry Skills Council, these new qualifications will see Australian motor yacht worker’s skills recognized with an official AMSA certificate of competency.
The four new qualifications include Watchkeeper Deck <3000GT Yachts with deck rating endorsement, Chief Mate <3000GT Yachts with deck rating endorsement, Master <500GT Yachts with Able Seafarer endorsement and Master <3000GT Yacht with Able Seafarer endorsement.
Announcing the new qualifications last week at the Australian Superyacht & Marine Export Industry Conference on the Gold Coast, AMSA Deputy CEO Gary Prosser said, “These new certificates will give formal recognition to these highly skilled seafarers and a pathway to further their careers in the maritime industry.”
The qualifications provide seafarers with a career path that allows them to upgrade qualifications to larger vessels by undertaking further study.
Similar qualifications have existed in the United Kingdom for some time, and Marine Order 74 will allow AMSA to recognize equivalent certificates issued by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
AMSA said it is currently drafting Marine Order 74 (Master and deck officer yachts) to give effect to these new qualifications and anticipates that the order will be complete in the first quarter of 2016.