In 2005 the IMO Maritime Safety Committee approved the recommended conditions for extending the period of validity of a certificate to clarify that extension of the period of validity of certificates should only be granted in very specific circumstances.

This attached circular states the conditions of these extensions.

This Marine Safety Advisory (MSA) of the Marshal Islands provides information on alternative arrangements where an auditor or inspector cannot attend due to restrictions imposed as a result of the Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. It applies to inspections, audits, and verifications coming due prior to 01 July 2020. Except as otherwise stated within this MSA, a Recognized Organization (RO) or Recognized Security Organization (RSO) must inform and obtain concurrence from the Republic of the Marshall Islands (RMI) Maritime Administrator (the “Administrator”) when utilizing these alternatives.

In response to the 2019-nCoV novel coronavirus outbreak, a number of countries, ports and organisations are publishing details of the measures being put in place.

Since the COVID-19 outbreak, IMO has been working in close consultation with WHO and other partners to assist member States to minimize relevant risks from the outbreak.

This document is to provide recommendations and guidance, based on relevant documents developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the International Maritime Organization (IMO), together with the experience gained by shipping companies, on the prevention and control of COVID-19 onboard ships, and on personal protection of
crew members.

IMO has been made aware of a number of concerns regarding
seafarers’ training and certification as a result of the coronavirus outbreak.
The actions taken worldwide as a result of the outbreak pose a serious challenge for Administrations to allow the continued training of seafarers, re validation of certificates, including medical certificates, and issuance of endorsements attesting recognition of certificates in
accordance with the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, as amended.