Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela

Ministry of People’s Power for Transport
National Institute of Aquatic Spaces

The National Institute of Aquatic Spaces (INEA), in the exercise of the Aquatic Authority and Administration, as the governing body authorized to certify Merchant Marine personnel through the issuance of titles, licenses, endorsements, and seafarer certifications, in accordance with International Conventions and National Legislation governing the matter, and being the competent body to recognize the education, training, and instruction of Seafarers, issues this Instruction pursuant to the provisions of Circular No. 014 dated October 25, 2025, in order to inform the entire Aquatic Sector, especially Seafarers and Nautical Education Institutions, of the following:

1. As of January 1, 2026, the amendments to Part A of the Seafarers’ Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code (STCW Code), Chapter VI “Standards regarding emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions”, Section A-VI/1 “Mandatory minimum requirements for familiarization and basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers” entered into force.
2. As of January 1, 2026, the certificate for IMO model course 1.21 “Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities” must reflect on its reverse side the content of the following competence:

   “Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including bullying, harassment, and sexual assault”
   “Understand and take necessary measures to control fatigue”

3. Nautical Education Institutions are urged to incorporate the competence indicated in item number 2 of Circular No. 014 as content within the same IMO Model course certificate and to cite, on the front face, Resolution MSC.560(108) dated May 23, 2024.
4. The respective content must be delivered as an update for those participants who require renewal and demonstrate that they remain at sea, in accordance with Regulation I/11, Section A-I/11 of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW 78).
5. Seafarers who have not been at sea for five (5) years and related activities personnel who require renewal must take the IMO model course 1.21 “Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities”, including the competence corresponding to:
   “Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including bullying, harassment, and sexual assault”
6. Seafarers and related activities personnel who hold a valid certificate for IMO model course 1.21 “Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities” must receive refresher training on the competence:
   “Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and harassment, including bullying, harassment, and sexual assault”

   And they will be issued the course certificate in accordance with the guidelines provided in items 2 and 3 of this circular.

7. Seafarers who present a seaman’s book with embarkation entries matching the IMO model course 1.21 certificate, demonstrating that they received the onboard update regarding the aforementioned competence but have an expired course certificate, may request the inclusion of the competence in the course certificate from the nautical education center. The course certificate will then be issued as a renewal, which must reflect the details described in items 2 and 3.
8. Seafarers who present a seaman’s book with embarkation entries matching the IMO model course 1.21 certificate, demonstrating that they received the onboard update regarding the aforementioned competence and hold a valid course certificate, may request the inclusion of the competence in the course certificate from the nautical education center. The course certificate will then be issued as a refresher training certificate, and the certificate must reflect the details described in items 2 and 3.
9. All Seafarers and related activities personnel who obtain the course certificate with the update on the aforementioned competence must attach the respective course certificate to the seafarer’s file in the SINEA administrative system.
10. All Seafarers and Related Activities Personnel have up to 30 days from the publication of this Instruction to update the IMO model course 1.21 “Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities” and attach the respective course certificate to the seafarer’s file in the SINEA administrative system.
11. All Seafarers who hold a valid certificate for IMO model course 1.21 “Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities” and whose Certificate of Proficiency and/or Title Endorsement are currently on board or have an upcoming embarkation, have up to 30 days from the publication of this Instruction to update the IMO model course 1.21 and attach the respective course certificate to the seafarer’s file in the SINEA administrative system.

The Aquatic Authority, through the General Management of the Marina and via the Seafarer Management Department, will ensure compliance with this Instruction.

Notify the content of this Instruction through all dissemination mechanisms.

Caracas, April 28, 2026