STCW & Seafarers Documentation

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It is mandatory for all seafarers serving onboard a St. Kitts & Nevis Ship, who are required according to the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate, to hold a "Continuous Discharge Certificate and Identity Document (CDC)", also commonly known as a Discharge Book or Seaman's book that has been issued by St. Kitts & Nevis. All others must hold a Seaman's Book to record their training & sea service.

A CERTIFICATE OF ENDORSEMENT (CoE) and CDC shall be issued to ALL Officers holding Certificates of Competency - (CoC) and title endorsement from a "White Listed" country under Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention 1978 as amended - whether they are listed on the Minimum Safe Manning Certificate or not - and is recommended for those Ratings holding appropriate certification from their home country or any "White Listed" country.

Attention is drawn to the Guidance Notes at the end of this notice for descriptions of Officers and Ratings and their required qualifications and duties.

The following is an index of sections within this page

PROCEDURE FOR APPLICATION FOR EITHER A CONTINUOUS DISCHARGE CERTIFICATE (CDC) OR A CERTIFICATE OF ENDORSEMENT (CoE)

We have two methods of applying for seafarer documents:

1) You can apply online using our online database http://www.sknseafarers.com if you have already received a password and username. This method is currently used by our Maritime Registrars only.
If you are a Maritime Registrar and you do not have a username or password, or you have lost your username and password, please contact our Seafarers Department by email on mail@stkittsnevisregistry.net

2) All other aplications, please follow the instructions below.

A Seafarer requiring a Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC) or a Certificate of Endorsement (CoE) from St Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), shall apply as below:
The following are to be submitted

  1. Application Form A15 (Application for Seafarers Documents) This Application Form should be downloaded from our website
  2. Copy of passport - showing personal details of Applicant as per those entered on this Application Form
  3. 2 x Passport size photos - with applicants name printed on the reverse.  Please see attached link for the standard requirements for these photos - http://www.photomat.eu/PLE03_web_Mar05.pdf
  4. Valid Medical Fitness Certificate (the medical examination must be carried out no more than 18 months before this application)
  5. Copies of training certificates (if applying for CDC only)
  6. Payment & Proof of payment of fees
  7. Any other documentation SKANReg may deem necessary for this application (if requested)
    In addition - for Continuous Discharge Certificate (CDC)
  8. Current CDC (if requesting renewal/replacement)  
    In addition - for Certificate of Endorsement (CoE)
  9. Copy of current Certificate of Competency (CoC)
  10. Copy of current additional Endorsement (GMDSS, Tanker, etc) (if applying for this)
  11. Proof of Sea Service - copy of sea service certificates or pages from seamen's book showing personal details and ranks served.
  12. Current CoE (if applying for extension)

NOTES:

  1. All information must be printed in CAPITAL LETTERS in black ink or by typing.
  2. Failure to complete the Application Form fully or submit the required documentation may result in rejection or delays in processing.
  3. Applicants must sign in the box shown, keeping their signature within the box lines.
  4. Passport - This must be a National Passport.  If a National Identity Card or Seamen's Passport is submitted, this must be recognised by the issuing authority as a travel document i.e. can be used in lieu of a National Passport.
  5. Applicants may initially submit their application by scanning the Application Form and supporting documents and submitting by email to   The original can be forwarded by mail/courier.
  6. All supporting documents submitted must be clear copies and legible.
  7. For an up to date status on the IMO "Whitelist" see www.imo.org
  8. Endorsements issued by SKANReg will have the same expiry date as the Certificate Whose recognition they attest, up to a maximum of 5 years.
  9. Applicants for Endorsements, must be in possession of, or have applied for, a St. Kitts & Nevis CDC.
  10. Application Fees will NOT be returned if incorrect information or documentation is submitted.
  11. For more information see the website www.StKittsNevisRegistry.net

Seafarers working on St. Kitts & Nevis fishing vessels are not required to have their Certificates of Competency issued under STCW-F endorsed according to STCW 78 (as amended) but are to apply for CDC.

The applications may be submitted to the office of the Department of Maritime Affairs, Maritime Registrar of St. Kitts & Nevis International Ship Registry for that region or to SKANReg direct . Where applications are made to a Maritime Registrar they shall check the originals and certify the copies as true copies

The Certificate of Endorsement shall only be issued after due verification by St. Kitts and Nevis International Ship Registry (SKANReg), of the authenticity of the documents submitted by the applicant.

If a negative answer regarding the authenticity of a document submitted in support of an application is received from the Administration/Issuing Authority the seafarer will be barred from obtaining an SKN certificate or any endorsement for 10 years from the date of the application and on conviction be liable to a fine according to the applicable provisions of the Merchant Shipping Act Cap. 7.05. SKANReg will inform IMO of such debarring.

REVALIDATION OF CoE'S

Seafarer's may apply to SKANReg for revalidation for their Certificate of Endorsement (CoE) as soon as their Home Country Certificate of Competency (CoC) has been revalidated by the Flag Administration who issue it:

The procedure is as follows:

  1. Submit via a Maritime Registrar (MR) to the Seafarer's Registration Department at SKANReg Head Office, a clear copy (by fax/email) of the revalidated home CoC.
  2. Payment of appropriate fees (Q-Form).
  3. SKANReg will check the validity of the revalidated CoC with the Home Country.
  4. When revalidation is authenticated, SKANReg will authorise the MR to revalidate the CoE on the reverse, with the new expiry date.
  5. MR to sign and stamp reverse of CoE accordingly.
  6. MR will send a copy of reverse of CoE showing revalidation to SKANReg Head Office. 

Where the CoC has been reissued by the Home Country with a serial/issue number different to that of the original CoC (this can be in cases where this is the Home Countries policy or a new CoC has been issued for a higher rank) this should be treated as a new application for a CoE.

The process then is as follows:

  1. After checking the application the MR may issue a Certificate of Processing an Endorsement (CPE) and then forward a copy of the CPE and the CoC to the Seafarers Registration Department at SKANReg Head Office.
  2. Payment of appropriate fees (Q-Form).
  3. SKANRegwill check the validity of the revalidated CoC with the Home Country.
  4. When the CoC is authenticated, SKANReg will issue a new CoE and forward to the MR for passing to the seafarer. 

SHIP SECURITY OFFICERS

See link to security page for our requirements

INDIAN SEAFARERS - INDOS NUMBER (INDIAN DEPARTMENT OF SHIPPING NUMBER)

As a matter of bilateral understanding with the Directorate General of Shipping (DGS) in India, it has been agreed that to assist the DGS all Indian Seafarers applying for our seafarers documents, MUST have an INDOS number-

Use of the Indos number allows us to check the validity of Certificates of Competency online, which speeds up the issuing of Certificates of Endorsement.

Please be guided accordingly.

GUIDANCE NOTES - These do not form part of the Merchant Shipping Act Cap. 7.05 and are for guidance only

Officer Qualifications

A person is qualified as an officer where he holds a Certificate of Competency issued by St. Kitts & Nevis or a Certificate of Competency, which has been duly recognised and endorsed in accordance with the STCW Convention 1978 as amended, in one of the following capacities -

(a) Master;
(b) Chief Mate;
(c) Officer in charge of a navigational watch;
(d) Chief Engineer Officer;
(e) Second Engineer Officer;
(f) Officer in charge of an engineering watch; or
(g) Radio Operator

Ratings Qualifications

(1)       Every rating forming part of a navigational watch on a ship of 500 GT or more, other than ratings under training and ratings whose duties while on watch are of an unskilled nature, shall hold a St. Kitts & Nevis Certificate or one issued by or under the authority of another STCW country.

(2)       Every rating forming part of an engine-room watch or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room on a ship powered by main propulsion machinery of 750 kW propulsion power or more, other than ratings under training and ratings whose duties are of an unskilled nature, shall hold a St. Kitts & Nevis Certificate or one issued by or under the authority of another STCW country.

Radio Communication Personnel Qualifications

(1) Every ship shall carry a person or persons -

    (a)  qualified for distress and safety radio communication purposes and

    (b)  who are holders of a Radio Operators certificate issued by St. Kitts & Nevis or one issued by or under the authority of another STCW country, as appropriate and one such person shall be designated by the master to have primary responsibility for radio communications during distress incidents.

(2) On Area A1 ships the person mentioned at (1a) above shall hold at least a GMDSS Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC)

(3) On ships operating in Areas A1/A2, A1/A2/A3 and A1/A2/A3/A4, the person mentioned at (1b) above shall hold a GMDSS General Operator's Certificate (GOC)

Other Seafarers

St. Kitts & Nevis does not issue Certificates of Competency or require Endorsements for the following seafarers: 

These seafarers do need a Continuous Discharge Certificate and Identity Document (CDC).

CREW ARTICLES of AGREEMENT

The Crew Articles of Agreement (Crew Agreement) to be used onboard St. Kitts & Nevis ships are as shown here. Owners & Masters should familiarise themselves with Part V of the Merchant Shipping Act No. 24 of 2002 and especially the sections relating to Engagement & Discharge of Crews and Wages.

 Adobe   Word 
Articles of Agreement Articles Part 1 Articles part 1(Word)
Seafarer's Articles Articles Part 1 Articles part 2(Word)
Seafarer's Certificate of Service Articles Part 3 Articles part 3(Word)
The Merchant Shipping (Crew Agreement) Regulations 2012 Crew Agreement

Policy for Fraudulent Applications

Skanreg are obliged to check the validity of certificates issued by other states of seafarers serving on our ships.

In accordance with Regulation I/10 of the STCW Convention 1995, Paragraph 1.1 Skanreg will ensure that individual foreign certificates are valid and authentic by making necessary checks with the issuing government.

If a certificate is advised by the issuing government to be fraudulent / forged / invalid then the Maritime Registrar / Ship Owner / Managers will be notified accordingly. No Certificate of Endorsement will be issued. The Ship Owners / Managers will be told to remove the seafarer from the duties he was employed to undertake and to remove him from the ship at the next available port.

As per Regulation I/5, Paragraph 3.3

"A person who has obtained by fraud or forged documents an engagement to perform any function or serve in any capacity required by these regulations to be performed or filled by a person holding a certificate or dispensation."

Replacement Seafarer Documents

If you lose or damage your CDC or COE, please read the following instructions to ensure there are no delays in gaining a replacement.

Please get in touch with Skanreg, the Maritime Registrar or Ship Owners as soon as possible for the document to be cancelled which will enable you to obtain a replacement. There is a fee for issuing replacement documents.

To apply for a replacement:

Please fill in Application Form A15 and indicate in the box provided under "Type of Application" that you require a replacement or renewal. Please also fill in box no 52 explaining the reasons for the missing documents.

Skanreg shall then endeavour to get these replacement documents to you as soon as possible.

We have signed I/10 Agreements with the following countries:


Australia

Bangladesh

Beliza

China

Commonwealth of Dominica

Denmark

Federal Republic of Germany

Georgia

Honduras

Indonesia

Italy

Latvia

Pakistan

Panama

Philippines

Republic of Cyprus

Romania

Singapore

Sri Lanka

United Kingdom
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