National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
INEа
CIRCULAR N° 023
(Special Notice – 17 COVID-19)
In exercise of the powers conferred by article 78 numeral 1 of the Decree with Rank,
Value and Force of the Organic Law of Aquatic Spaces, in accordance with the provisions of
Articles 73 paragraphs 1 and 2 and 74 paragraphs 3, 4 and 5 ejusdem, in accordance with
articles 160 and 283 of the Decree with Rank, Value and Force of Law of Marinas and Related Activities
and as provided in articles 42 of the Decree with Rank, Value and Force of Law
Organic Law of Public Administration in article 17 of the Organic Law of Administrative Procedures
.
CONSIDERANDО
That the measures adopted to address the emergency of the outbreak of the COVID 19 Coronavirus,
represent an impact in terms of the process of revalidation of degrees and certificates,
including medical certificates, as well as in the endorsement of qualifications in accordance with
with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Qualification for the
Seafarer’s Watch, 1978, as amended, and in accordance with the
recommendations of IMO Circular No. 4204/Add.5 dated March 17, 2020,
CONSIDERANDО
That the extension of the validity of the titles, certificates and mandatory endorsements issued to
seafarers by this Aquatic Administration, beyond the three months allowed by the treaty regime of the International Maritime Organization for those crewmembers who by reason of
circumstances are unable to carry out the procedure in accordance with the stipulations of the
The legal system is the responsibility of the flag States,
CONSIDERING
That the Secretary General of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), in Circular No.
4204/Add.19 2 June 2020 on Coronaviruses (COVID-19) – Guidance for States of the Americas (COVID-19)
flag, in connection with the recognition and renewal of certificates during the period of the
pandemic of COVID-19; believes that the extension of the validity of the certificates beyond the
should only be considered in extraordinary circumstances, so that the maximum regulatory maximum should only be considered in extraordinary circumstances.
should be limited to specific situations caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and that the
relevant decisions should be taken on a case-by-case basis, encouraging States of
flag to establish a limit for such certificates or other measures
The extraordinary expenses, which should be revised periodically, taking into account the evolution of the
pandemic, so seafarers’ documents should be renewed as soon as possible.
in accordance with current regulations,
CONSIDERANDО
That the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for the
The Convention on the Law of the Sea (Training Convention), 1978, as amended, provides in Rule 1/9,
paragraph 7 that in cases of urgency, the Administration may permit a seafarer to work without
a valid medical certificate until the next port of call where a
medical practitioner recognized by the Party is available, provided that the validity of such permit does not exceed
three months and that the seafarer concerned holds a medical certificate expired on a recent date
.
JURїП CONSULTANCY
Bolivarian Government
of Venezuela
Ministry of People’s Power
for Transportation
National Institute
of Aquatic Spaces
Grana Transportation
Venezuela
National Institute of Aquatic Spaces
INEA
CONSIDERING
That the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for
(Training Convention), 1978, as amended, provides in Section A1/9, paragraph 4, that medical examinations of seafarers are to be carried out by
experienced and appropriately qualified medical practitioners recognized by the Party and that all the
Parties shall develop arrangements for the recognition of practitioners and shall maintain a
The register of recognized medical practitioners, which shall be made available to other Parties, the
companies and seafarers who request it,
CONSIDERANDО
That the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces shall issue the titles, licenses, endorsements and
certifications of seafarers’ competencies, in accordance with national standards
and international regulations governing the matter and must submit to the National Institute of Space
The maritime medical certificate that evidences the physical and mental aptitude of the person in charge of the aquatic activities must be presented.
mental capacity to perform the duties of their respective functions on board ships,
CONSIDERANDО
That seafarers have suffered from the collateral effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, due to
the travel restrictions that have left thousands of seafarers stranded on ships, or
unable to return to their jobs 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 Exception of Alarm
throughout the National Territory, given the social circumstances that seriously endanger the public health and safety of the citizens of the
Bolivarian Republic, in order for the National Executive to adopt the necessary urgent, effective and
necessary measures to protect and preserve the health of the Venezuelan population.
This Office,
1.
2.
DECIDES
Recognize, for the issuance of titles, licenses, endorsements and certifications of the following

seafarers’ competencies, current medical certificates issued by an experienced and duly qualified medical practitioner or medical practitioner recognized by a State
Party to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW), 1978, as amended, whose details of
registration of the recognized practitioner are available to other Parties for verification.
Current medical certificates issued by an experienced physician or medical practitioner, and
duly qualified and recognized by a State Party shall contain at least the following information
medical information as set forth in Rule 1/9 Section A-1/9 of the International Convention
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Convention) (Convention of
Training), 1978, namely:
2
JU CONSULTANCY
Bolivarian Government
of Venezuela Ministry of People’s Power
for Transportation
National Institute
de los Espacios Acuàticos
Granego Transporte Venezuela
Instituto Nacional de los Espacios Acuàticos
INEA
a.
b.
Competent authority and the provisions governing the issuance of the document.
Seafarer’s data.
C.
.
Name: (last name, first names)
Date of birth: (day/month/year)
Sex: (male/female)
Nationality
Statement of recognized physician.
Confirmation that identity documents were examined at the place of
examination: YES/NO
Does hearing meet the standards of section A-Il/9: YES/NO
Is hearing satisfactory without hearing aids? YES/NO
Does visual acuity meet the standards of section A-I/? YES/NO
Does color vision* meet the standards of section A-l/9? YES/NO, plus date
of last color vision test.
Suitable for lookout duties? YES/NO
Are there any limitations or restrictions on physical fitness?
YES/NO, if
answer is “YES”, give details of any limitations or restrictions.
Is the seafarer free from any medical condition which might be aggravated by
service at sea or render him/her unfit for such service or endanger the health of others on board? YES/NO
Date of examination: (day/month/year)
Date of expiry of certificate: (day/month/year)
d. Details of the issuing authority
Official seal (including name) of the issuing authority
Signature of authorized person
lo
e. Signature of the seafarer – I confirm that I have been informed of the contents of this
certificate and of the right to request a review of the opinion in accordance with
provided for in paragraph 6 of section A-1/9
3. Medical certificates shall be drawn up in the official language of the issuing country. If the
language used is not Spanish or English, the text shall include a translation into English.
4. The Aquatic Authority, through the General Marine Management of the Institute, shall ensure
strict compliance with this Circular.
Notify and disseminate the contents of this Circular.
In Caracas, on the 19th day of the month of October, 2020. Years 210°, 161° and 21°.
ELADIO JIMÉNÉZ RATTIA
PRESIDENT (E) OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF AQUATIC SPACES
Designated according to Decree No. 4.309 dated September 15, 2020
Official Gazette of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela No. 41.965 of the same date