That in accordance with the provisions of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a party, the States must verify that Seafarers have the aptitudes and competencies in accordance with the law, and must promote education and training programs.

Pursuant to the provisions of the Decree with Rank, Value and Force of Law on Marinas and Related Activities, the holders of titles and licenses who aspire to obtain a higher title or license, may opt for them, provided they prove that they have complied with the requirements established by law.

That it is an attribution of the National Institute of Aquatic Spaces, in the exercise of the Aquatic Authority and Administration, to grant the endorsements of the qualifications of Seafarers, for the purposes of their international validity, on the basis of the model established in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, provides in Article VI that the certificates of Master, Mate or Seaman shall be issued to applicants who, according to criteria deemed satisfactory by the Administration, meet the necessary requirements as to seagoing service, age, physical fitness, training, competence and examination, in accordance with the provisions of the Annex to the Convention.

That the mandatory embarkation periods required by law are of paramount importance for the purpose of acquiring the skills, abilities and learning the tasks of the officer, necessary for the applicant to reach the level of competence required by law, so that when properly planned and structured, they will allow reaching optimum levels in the development of the training processes of the applicant, for the purpose of acquiring and putting into practice the necessary skills with a view to the evaluation of the competencies.

That the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, in its Article III, paragraph c, to which the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela is a party, establishes that the computation of embarkation periods shall include the period in which seafarers render services in maritime navigation vessels entitled to fly the flag of a Party, excluding from such computation the time they render services in: Pleasure Yachts not engaged in trade.