Maritime professions: four new qualifying qualifications introduced

4) Commander of the vessels used for mooring services (and therefore responsible for assisting ships on arrival, whilst at berth and on departure).

Each of these roles obviously requires authorisation. Such authorisation can only be obtained by demonstrating compliance with the requirements set out in the decree.

The coastal traffic commander is in charge of vessels used for for the carriage of goods and/or passengers, or of tugs, not exceeding 500 gross tonnes, which sail between national ports and within twenty miles of the coast. To obtain this qualification, the following is required:

(a) be registered in the first-class seafarers’ register (which includes personnel assigned to deck, engine and technical services on board, such as officers, petty officers and seamen);

(b) hold the rank of deck cadet;

c) have been certified as physically fit for seafaring and have no criminal record;

d) have completed 12 months’ seagoing service on deck watch on ships for maritime navigation recorded in the Training Record Book or on-board training logbook, a register documenting the training and duties carried out by a cadet or officer whilst on board, certifying compliance with international standards;

e) hold valid certificates for basic training, advanced fire safety training, standard radar observer training, ARPA radar training, Leadership and Teamwork, obtained from authorised institutions, organisations and companies. Not only that: a First Aid certificate issued or recognised by the Ministry of Health is also required;

f) have successfully passed, at the end of the required period of sea service and training, a theoretical and practical examination to assess technical and professional competence (the examination must be taken at the maritime authorities and in accordance with ministerial procedures).

But the requirements do not end there. To board vessels intended for the carriage of passengers, the master must also hold a valid certificate of education and training for personnel serving on that type of vessel. Furthermore, if the captain is to perform duties relating to on-board radio services, they must have obtained a radio operator’s certificate or an equivalent document, depending on the station in question, issued or recognised by the Mimit. The same applies if they are to serve on vessels equipped with an electronic chart display and information system or with life-saving appliances that require the qualification of ‘seafarer qualified to operate life-saving appliances other than fast rescue boats’: in these cases too, proof of having undergone the necessary training is required.

Last but not least: the coastal traffic officer who has also obtained the engine room rating may simultaneously hold both roles on board, within the limits of the qualifications held, provided that the on-board instruments are suitable and the vessels’ technical requirements have been assessed.

The second qualification covered by the decree is that of chief engineer. This is the role responsible for managing the technical aspects of ships carrying cargo and/or passengers, with a gross tonnage not exceeding 500 tonnes, and which are always engaged in navigation between Italian ports and up to twenty miles from the coast. In this case too, the eligibility requirements are numerous (and, for the most part, do not differ from those laid down for the post of captain for coastal traffic). The following are therefore required:

(a) be registered on the register of first-class seafarers;

(b) hold the rank of engine cadet;

(c) be physically fit and have no criminal record;

d) have completed 24 months’ seagoing service as an engineer on ships engaged in maritime navigation;

e) hold valid certificates in basic training, advanced fire safety, Leadership and Teamwork, as well as a first-aid certificate;

(f) have successfully passed the theoretical and practical examination to assess technical and professional competence.

Here too, as with the previous entry, the chief engineer who boards ships assigned to passenger transport must hold a valid certificate of education and training for personnel serving on this type of vessel. Furthermore, if they are to serve on vessels equipped with lifesaving appliances for which the presence of operational personnel holding the qualification of ‘seafarer qualified to operate lifesaving appliances other than fast rescue boats’ is required, they must also hold this training certificate.

Two ‘special’ titles also stand out on the list: engine room officer on vessels used for pilotage and master of watercraft used for mooring services. 

As regards the first category, the holder may operate vessels used for pilotage services with a gross tonnage not exceeding 50 tonnes and a power output not exceeding 900 kW per installed engine. To obtain this qualification, the following is required:

(a) be registered on the seafarers’ register;

(b) have completed compulsory education;

c) be aged 18;

(d) be physically fit and have no criminal record;

e) have obtained a valid certificate of basic training and a first-aid certificate;

f) have completed at least twelve months’ seagoing service , of which nine months must have been spent on deck or in the engine room on any type of vessel, and three months on board pilot vessels;

g) hold the qualification of engineer seaman or higher.

However, there is one exception: anyone who, on the date the decree comes into force, has already completed at least twelve months’ service on pilot vessels within the last 48 months, automatically qualifies for the qualification.

As for the second role, however – that is, the captain of the vessels assigned to mooring duties – the requirements remain largely the same.

Members listed as mooring operators in the relevant register, who have obtained the professional certificate of competence and attended the relevant course, automatically acquire the professional qualification. This qualification therefore allows the holder to operate the vessels owned by mooring co-operatives, regardless of tonnage or engine power.

In this case too, although the requirements are less stringent – as these qualifications must be obtained where required for operational purposes – a first-aid certificate, a certificate of competence as a ‘seafarer qualified to operate rescue craft other than high-speed rescue boats’ and a radio operator’s certificate are required.

Not only that: those who, upon the decree coming into force, are registered as mooring operators, trainee mooring operators or apprentice mooring operators will only be awarded the qualifications for boatmaster for domestic traffic and qualified engineer after attending a specific training course. Both qualifications are valid for subsequently obtaining the professional mooring operator qualification.

Anyone holding a certificate of competence as a deck officer, which is still valid, may obtain the title of master for coastal trade if they have completed at least six months’ seagoing service as a deck officer or as a master (this must be recorded in their seaman’s book) within the four years prior to the entry into force of the decree and the training certificates. The seagoing service requirement may be fulfilled within 24 months of the legislation coming into force.

The same applies to holders of the boatmaster’s certificate who, in order to become skippers, must:

(a) physically fit and with no criminal record;

b) equipped with training certificates (valid);

(c) have completed twelve months’ seagoing service as a master during the four years prior to the decree coming into force, all of which must be recorded in the seaman’s service record book. The 24-month extension also applies in this case.

As regards the qualification of chief engineer, engine officers may apply for this qualification if they have completed six months’ sea service in the role or in the duties of chief engineer during the four years preceding the decree, and hold the relevant training certificates (the 24-month extension also applies here). Finally, chief engineers seeking the title of chief engineer may only be eligible if they are physically fit, have no criminal record, hold the required training certificates and have completed twelve months’ sea service in the role of chief engineer.

The application for the chosen professional qualification must be completed and submitted by the applicant to the harbour master’s office of registration within 24 months of the decree coming into force. The qualification documents will be issued by the maritime district of registration.