The Cyprus Deputy Ministry of Shipping (DMS) has announced that, in accordance with Regulation V/4 of The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended, with effect from 1 January 2020 masters, chief officers and officers in charge of a navigational watch serving on board Cyprus-flagged vessels operating in polar waters are required to hold the appropriate certificate of proficiency in training for ships operating in polar waters, as required by the International Maritime Organization's International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.
Persons who have successfully completed an approved course of training can apply for the issue of a certificate of proficiency using the application form on the DMS website, and for the first six months of 2020 seafarers who have accumulated the requisite experience in polar waters will also be able to apply for the issue of a certificate of proficiency. The Cyprus authorities will accept certificates of proficiency issued by countries whose certificates of competency they recognise.
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