Circular No. 020 of 2020, Extension of Seafarers’ Document Validity
Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela
Ministry of People’s Power for Transport
National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
(Special Notice – COVID-19)
In the exercise of the powers conferred by Article 78, paragraph 1 of the Decree with the Rank, Value, and Force of the Organic Law of Aquatic Spaces, in conjunction with Articles 73, paragraphs 1 and 2, and 74, paragraphs 3, 4, and 5 ejusdem, and in accordance with the provisions of Article 42 of the Decree with the Rank, Value, and Force of the Organic Law of Public Administration and Article 17 of the Organic Law of Administrative Procedures.
CONSIDERING That the measures adopted to address the emergency of the Coronavirus COVID-19 outbreak impact 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, 1978, as amended.
CONSIDERING The recommendations of IMO Circular No. 4204/Add.5 dated March 17, 2020.
CONSIDERING That seafarers have suffered the collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic due to travel restrictions, which have left thousands of mariners stranded on board vessels, or made it impossible for them to report to their duty stations on board or to be repatriated to their homes.
CONSIDERING Decree No. 4,286, published in the Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 6,570 dated September 6, 2020, which extends the State of Emergency of Alarm throughout the National Territory, given the circumstances of a social nature that gravely endanger public health and the safety of the citizens residing in the Bolivarian Republic, so that the National Executive may adopt urgent, effective, and necessary measures for the protection and preservation of the health of the Venezuelan population, in order to mitigate and eradicate the epidemic risks related to the coronavirus (COVID-19) and its potential strains, ensuring timely, effective, and efficient medical care for any cases that may arise.
HEREBY DECIDES
- To extend the validity extension granted in Circular No. 016 dated June 21, 2020, until December 31, 2020, for the licenses, certificates, and endorsements referred to in this Circular, issued to seafarers by the Aquatic Authority, for those crew members who, due to any circumstance related to the state of emergency of alarm, are unable to complete the administrative procedure as stipulated by the Aquatic Administration.
- Port State Control Officers (PSCOs) shall accept the extension measures adopted by other administrations regarding this type of seafarers’ documentation when conducting inspection procedures, pursuant to Article X (Control) and Regulation I/4 (Control procedures) of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
- The Aquatic Authority, through the Institute’s General Directorates of Maritime Affairs and Operations, shall ensure strict compliance with this Circular.
Please notify and disseminate the content of this Circular.
Done in Caracas, on the 29th day of the month of September, 2020.
Acting President of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
Decree No. 4,309 dated September 15, 2020
Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 41,965 of the same date.
