MARINE GUIDANCE NOTE
MGN 7 (M)
TRAINING AND CERTIFICATION GUIDANCE – PART 7
Alternative certification – dual certification
Notice to Owners, Masters, Deck and Engineer Officers and Ratings on Merchant Vessels and
those concerned with Maritime Training
This Note should be read in conjunction with Merchant Shipping Notice No MSN 1692 (M) (or subsequent
amendments)
Summary
This Marine Guidance Note (MGN) is part of a series which gives guidance regarding the
application of the Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997 1.
In order for the guidance to be easy to use and to keep up-to-date, the individual Parts will retain
the same Part number but the MGN number may change if and when revisions are necessary.
The front sheet of any revised Part will list the latest MGN numbers. Any reference to “Part” in
this Note relates to this series of Guidance Notes as listed below.
Key Point
STCW 95 provides for certificates of competency combining deck, engineer and radio competencies
to be issued under Regulation VII/1 – Alternative Certification. However, the UK has decided to
continue to issue separate deck and engine certificates under STCW 95 Regulations II and III for
those participating in combined deck and engine training programmes (dual schemes)
LATEST INDEX TO PARTS
Part No. Subject Latest MGN Issue Date
Number
1 General requirements for certification and medical fitness MGN 91 (M) April 2000
2 Certificates of competency – deck department MGN 92 (M) April 2000
3 Certificates of competency – engine department MGN 93 (M) April 2000
4 Certificates of competency – radio personnel MGN 94 (M) July 1999
5 Special training requirements for personnel on certain MGN 95 (M) April 2000
types of ship
1 SI 1997/348 as amended by SI 1997/1911
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6 Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and MGN 96 (M) April 2000
survival functions
7 Alternative certification – dual certification This Note April 2000
8 Education and training schemes MGN 8 (M) April 2000
9 Procedure for the issue and revalidation of certificates of MGN 9 (M) April 2000
competency, marine engine operator licences and tanker
endorsements.
10 Ratings MGN 97 (M) April 2000
11 Conduct of MCA oral examinations MGN 69 (M) April 2000
12 Safety training for concessionaires working on MGN 120 (M) April 2000
passenger ships
13 Use of fishing vessel certificates of competency in standby, MGN 121 (M) April 2000
seismic survey and oceanographic research vessels –
revised arrangements
14 STCW 95 application to certificates of service MGN 116 (M) April 2000
15 Certification of inshore tug personnel MGN 117 (M) April 2000
16 Certification of inshore craft personnel (other than tugs) MGN 126 (M) Not yet issued
Seafarer Standards Branch
Maritime and Coastguard Agency
Spring Place
105 Commercial Road
Southampton SO15 1EG
Tel: 02380 329231
Fax: 02380 329252
E-Mail: exams section@mcga.gov.uk
April 2000
MC 124/1/026
An executive agency of the Department of the
ã Crown copyright 2000 Environment, Transport and the Regions
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The references to “Parts” in this document are to other Parts of this series of Training and Certification
Guidance Notes
1.0 Introduction
1.1 The Merchant Shipping (Training and Certification) Regulations 1997 (the Regulations) implement
in the United Kingdom some of the requirements of the International Convention on Standards of
Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978, as amended in 1995, (STCW 95)2 and
its associated Code (STCW Code).
1.2 Chapter VII of STCW 95 – on Alternative Certification – allows for officers to be issued with a
single certificate of competency combining deck, engineering and radio competencies subsequent
to approved education, training and assessment.
1.3 However, the United Kingdom, whilst approving training schemes for officers who wish to
combine deck and engineering training, has decided at this time not to issue certificates of
competency under Chapter VII (Regulation VII). Officers successfully participating in combined
deck and engineering training programmes (dual schemes) will be granted separate deck officer
and engineer officer certificates of competency issued in accordance with Chapters II and III
(Regulations II and III) of STCW 95 as set out in Parts 2 and 3 of this series of Guidance Notes.
2.0 Further Information
2.1 Further information, if required, is available from the MCA at any MCA Marine Office or at the
address given at the beginning of this Guidance Note.
2 Available from the Publications Department, the International Maritime Organization, 4, Albert Embankment, London SE1 7SR
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