Circular No. 012 of the year 2020, Extension of Seafarers’ Documents
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Ministry of People’s Power for Transport
National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
(Special Notice – 008 COVID-19)
In the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 78, numeral 1 of the Decree with Status, Value, and Force of the Organic Law of Aquatic Spaces, in conjunction with Articles 73, numerals 1 and 2, and 74, numerals 3, 4, and 5 ejusdem, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 17 of the Organic Law of Administrative Procedures.
CONSIDERING That the measures adopted to address the emergency of the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak create a problem regarding the revalidation process for licenses and certificates, including medical certificates, as well as the endorsements of licenses in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention), 1978, as amended, and pursuant to the recommendations of IMO Circular No. 4204/Add.5 dated March 17, 2020.
HEREBY DECIDES
- To grant an extension until June 30, 2020, for the titles, certificates, and endorsements mentioned in the previous preamble, issued to seafarers by this Administration for those crew members who, due to any circumstance, are unable to complete the procedure in accordance with the provisions stipulated by the Aquatic Administration.
- Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) shall accept the extension measures adopted by other administrations for this type of seafarers’ documentation when conducting inspection procedures in accordance with Article X (Control) and Regulation I/4 (Control procedures) of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended.
- The Aquatic Authority, through the Institute’s General Management of Operations, shall ensure strict compliance with this Circular.
Please notify and disseminate the content of this Circular.
In Caracas, on the 20th day of the month of March, 2020.
President of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
Decree No. 2,874 dated May 18, 2017
Official Gazette No. 41,153 dated May 18, 2017
Reprinted due to a clerical error, according to Official Gazette No. 41,166 dated June 6, 2017
