PURPOSE: The mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates issued by the Member States.

LEGISLATIVE ACT: Directive 2005/45/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT: This Directive obliges Member States to recognise the seafarers’ certificates, which have been issued by another Member State in accordance with Directive 2001/25/EC. Specifically, each Member State should permit a seafarer having acquired his/her certificate of competency in another Member State, satisfying the requirement of Directive 2001/25, to take up or to pursue the maritime profession for which he/she is qualified, without any prerequisites other than those imposed on its own national. At the same time, the amending Directive is introducing a requirement that the STCW Convention on language will be introduced into Community law.

TRANSPOSITION: 20/10/2007

ENTRY INTO FORCE: 20/10/2005.

In adopting this resolution by Robert EVANS (PES, UK) by 619 votes in favour, 20 against, with 3 abstentions, Parliament welcomes Commission proposals on the recognition of seafarers' certificates as an important step towards more safety at sea and less fraud involving these certificates.

A range of compromise amendments were adopted. (Please refer to the summary dated 23/11/2004).

In adopting this resolution by Robert EVANS (PES, UK) by 619 votes in favour, 20 against, with 3 abstentions, Parliament welcomes Commission proposals on the recognition of seafarers' certificates as an important step towards more safety at sea and less fraud involving these certificates.

A range of compromise amendments were adopted. (Please refer to the summary dated 23/11/2004).

The committee adopted the report by Robert EVANS (PES, UK) approving the proposal under the 1st reading of the codecision procedure, subject to a number of amendments designed to tighten up and clarify parts of the directive:

- Member States should keep up their efforts in the context of the IMO to achieve strict and enforceable agreements on the worldwide combating of fraud involving seafarers' certificates, given that non-EU vessels and crews not covered by the directive also enter European ports and so constitute a risk to safety at sea in the Union;

- a new paragraph should be inserted clarifying the requirements for recognition of certificates;

- MEPs tightened up the provisions relating to confirmation of the authenticity of seafarers' certificates so as to impose a clear requirement on Member States to supply a written confirmation - or denial - to the host country if it requests one;

- after 5 years, the Commission should submit an evaluation report to Parliament and the Council analysing Member States' compliance with the directive and, where necessary, proposing additional measures.

PURPOSE : to facilitate the recognition of certificates of seafarers issued by the Member States and ensure thorough compliance with the existing training, certification and watch keeping requirements within the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT : Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT : there are two main reasons for submitting this proposal: first, the need to facilitate the recognition by all Member States of certificates of seafarers issued within the Union in accordance with the minimum requirements of Directive 2001/25/EC, as amended; and second, the need to ensure further thorough and continuous compliance with the existing requirements.

In addition, in its conclusions of 5 June 2003, the Council emphasised the need to foster the mobility of seafarers within the Union6, while both the European Parliament and the Council called for the need to confirm thorough respect by the Member States of the STCW requirements.

The Commission, therefore, puts forward specific provisions aimed at ensuring further full compliance with the existing training and certification requirements. The proposal provides for:

– the obligation for Member States to adopt measures to prevent and penalise fraudulent practices associated with certificates of seafarers, and

– the regular assessment of compliance of Member States with the requirements of

Directive 2001/25/EC, as amended.

PURPOSE : to facilitate the recognition of certificates of seafarers issued by the Member States and ensure thorough compliance with the existing training, certification and watch keeping requirements within the European Union.

PROPOSED ACT : Directive of the European Parliament and of the Council.

CONTENT : there are two main reasons for submitting this proposal: first, the need to facilitate the recognition by all Member States of certificates of seafarers issued within the Union in accordance with the minimum requirements of Directive 2001/25/EC, as amended; and second, the need to ensure further thorough and continuous compliance with the existing requirements.

In addition, in its conclusions of 5 June 2003, the Council emphasised the need to foster the mobility of seafarers within the Union6, while both the European Parliament and the Council called for the need to confirm thorough respect by the Member States of the STCW requirements.

The Commission, therefore, puts forward specific provisions aimed at ensuring further full compliance with the existing training and certification requirements. The proposal provides for:

– the obligation for Member States to adopt measures to prevent and penalise fraudulent practices associated with certificates of seafarers, and

– the regular assessment of compliance of Member States with the requirements of

Directive 2001/25/EC, as amended.