No. 74 - Certification of Able Seamen, 1946

Provisions

• All persons employed as able seamen are required to have undergone an examination and be certificated.
• No person may be engaged on any vessel as an able seaman unless he or she:
  • is a person who under national law is regarded as competent to perform any duty that may be required of a member of the crew serving in the deck department; and
  • holds a certificate of qualification as an able seaman granted in accordance with the provisions of this Convention.
• No person may be granted such a certificate unless he or she:
  • is at least 18 years old;
  • has served at sea in the deck department for at least 36 months (with certain defined exemptions); and
  • has passed an examination of proficiency in seamanship.
• The competent authority is required to make arrangements for the examinations and for granting the certificates of qualification. It may provide for certificates issued in other countries to be recognised.

Administered by

Maritime New Zealand

• Maritime Transport Act 1994
• Maritime Rules Part 32 - Qualifications and Amendments 1 and 2
• Maritime Rules Part 35 - Audits and Examinations

How New Zealand implements it

• Maritime Rules Part 32 - Qualifications and Amendments 1 and 2 set out sea service, age, examination and certification requirements in line with the provisions of the convention.
• The training of able seamen is undertaken by polytechnics.
• Representatives of seafarers, shipowners, government and the polytechnics meet regularly to discuss seafarer training standards.
• Inspections of New Zealand vessel are carried out on a regular basis by Maritime Safety Inspectors, and such inspections include the checking of crews' certification.

This Convention is not applicable to Tokelau.

Ratified - 5 December 1961

Total ratifications - 29

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