OCIMF REQUIREMENT
SIRE 2.0 explicitly requires periodic and systematic verification of the competencies of both onboard and office staff.
” Had the vessel operator or implemented a Behavioural competency assessment program on board and was evidence available that assessment was being conducted for navigation, cargo, mooring, and engineering operations by an approved assessor?”
TMSA REQUIREMENT KPI 3.4.1
“Procedure to assess crew members for job competency “.
Regular crew appraisal procedures adopted by an employer will help identify those individuals who work well as a team and can be used to ensure crew members are provided with programs of continuous professional development suitable for their own, and the company’s objectives.
A continuous appraisal should be used to identify and correct weaknesses in competence.
Why this new requirement?
Companies are required to develop and implement a program aimed at improving safety culture leading to the reduction of accidents whose identified causal factor is related to human element issues.
The Competency Assurance Program provides a structured process and model for mitigating or closing identified short-, medium– and long-term gaps in seafarer performance through the implementation of comprehensive improvement plans.
Personnel work in high-risk environments where competencies and skills play a key role in performance at both the individual and organizational levels.
Skills can be difficult to assess. For this reason, OCIMF – MTMSA – SIRE 2.0 and Intertanko call for a system to assess staff competencies, emphasizing that behavior and attitude are key elements of a safety culture and company policy.
Caution This is not a CBT or video training to be installed on board but is an actual program to assess personnel during various on-board activities through assessments that are conducted by observing personnel.
This program is not to be confused with the periodic “performance” audit that is conducted by the CO and Crew Manager.
These verifications must be done by personnel accredited as approved maritime assessors ( IMO Model Course 1.30 and meet the competency standards for Qualified Maritime Assessors specified in Sections A-I/6 & B-I/6 of STCW).
DRY – Bulk Management Standard
Competency Assessments are a requirement of DRY – Bulk Management Standard in the Section of Processes – Items 20 & 21 in the Advanced Stage, Therefore, Seafarer Competency Assessments with Reports are required under a Program, and this is an advantage of the company to conform with Charterers and INTERCARGO requirements and thus facilitate vessels commercial issues.
In real terms, after some time of implementation of the Seafarer Competency Assessment Program, the company will note improvement in the Performance of Seafarers especially by Junior Officers and those due for promotion. Also, this will cover the company and limit its liability against charterers potential and future claims for incompetence or negligence of crew members since the competency performance assurance program will be in place as an ongoing project and will be an additional shield covering the company that it has taken every step to ensure competency standards of crew members.
I believe this is the most important factor that needs to be explained to owners from the commercial point of view of trading the company’s fleet vessels. The Program should cover at least the main vessel operations i.e. Navigation, Cargo, Mooring (including Anchoring), and Engine Operations. Also, the Program can be implemented gradually by implementing only Navigation Assessments in the first year and then each year after to implement the rest of the competency assessments for the other vessel operations (i.e. cargo, mooring, and engine). This will also depend on the company’s priorities and needs.
How to comply
At Marine Surveyor Consultant we can help you with behavioral competence assessments, audits, and obtaining certification for SIRE 2.0 compliance.
