PSC deficiency code 01201: Certificates for master and officers
Area 01 Certificates and documentation
Code 01201 covers the certificates of competency (CoC) of the master and the deck and engine officers, and the flag State endorsements that recognise a CoC issued by another country. The doubt is whether each officer is legally qualified for the job they're doing on this ship. Ratings' certificates, radio operators and tanker endorsements have their own codes.
What the inspector looks at
The officer works from the crew list and the safe manning document, usually checking senior officers and a sample of the rest.
- original CoC on board for each officer, valid on the inspection date
- a flag endorsement attesting recognition where the CoC was issued by another State, or proof that an application for one has been submitted
- capacity on the endorsement matching the position served and the terms used in the MSMD
- limitations on the CoC (tonnage, propulsion power, near-coastal) that rule it out for this ship
- expiry dates of separate endorsements, which can't run past the CoC itself
- wording and numbering that look genuine, checked with the issuing Administration if in doubt
Common findings
- Chief officer's flag State endorsement expired
- Second engineer serving on application receipt older than three months
- Master's CoC limited to ships of less than 3000 GT
- Original CoC not on board, only photocopy presented
- Capacity on endorsement does not correspond with position on board
- Third officer's CoC expired, not revalidated
The rule behind it
STCW regulation I/2 and section A-I/2 of the STCW Code set out how certificates and endorsements are issued, and chapters II and III set the standards for deck and engine officers. Regulation I/10 requires the flag to endorse any foreign CoC it recognises. A seafarer can serve for up to three months while the flag processes that endorsement, as long as documentary proof of the application is on board. Port State control of certificates is in regulation I/4. A.1185(33) appendix 11 guides the officer, including when an endorsement has expired or was never issued.
Action codes you are likely to see
If the flag can sort out the paperwork quickly, the finding is usually 17. The STCW section of the IMO list of detainable deficiencies includes seafarers failing to hold a certificate, to have an appropriate certificate or valid dispensation, or to provide proof that an application for an endorsement has been submitted. If the problem can't be fixed and no qualified replacement is available, the officer may treat it as a ground for detention (30), often after consulting the flag. See action taken codes.
How to close it
Crewing and the flag close this. Apply for the endorsement, or get the flag's written confirmation of the application, and send it to the ship. If that can't be done in time, arrange a qualified relief. Keep the endorsement or the flag's confirmation, crew change documents and the updated crew list with the Form B. Then find the gap in the pre-joining document check and record it under the ISM system.