Review of European Maritime Certification of Competence Practices

Abstract

This paper specifically highlights the various elements of the national practices that are routinely carried out at project partner national administration level with respect to Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers (STCW) training and endorsement of seafarers in the Certification and Competency (COC), particularly within the European Union. The methodology used in this paper contains the research mainly conducted with 6 partner countries (Bulgaria, Romania, Spain, Turkey, Ireland, Slovenia) with a series of questions designed to capture information as much as possible in the early stages for the project, information around maritime training of seafarers and their certification in various roles and competencies. The chapters represent the current practices at national level for partners of the project and the target audience responded provided to compare specific requirements and training practices with reference to international standards. This information is used to investigate any barriers that are currently present for seafarers certificate of competency in endorsement or recognition of their professional qualifications.