STCW Basic and Advanced Polar Code General, Sea Service, Renewal and Other Requirements by U.S. Coast Guard
The International Code for Ships Operating in polar waters (Polar Code) has been developed to supplement existing IMO instruments in order to increase the safety of ships' operation and mitigate the impact on the people and environment in the remote, vulnerable and potentially harsh polar waters. IMO has adopted the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) and related amendments to STCW Convention and STCW Code to make it mandatory under both the SOLAS and the MARPOL.
The Polar Code entered into force on 1 January 2017 and the National Maritime Center (NMC) will issue a Basic or Advanced Polar Code STCW endorsement to mariners who have voluntarily fulfilled the applicable STCW requirements.
Please note that these endorsements are not currently mandated by Coast Guard regulation but voluntary. However, any vessel entering into polar waters are subjected to foreign Port State Control and are required to comply with the regulations.
The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) entered into force on January 1, 2017
USCG Polar Code Requirements
- U.S. Citizenship
- Must hold valid STCW endorsement as Master, Chief Mate or OICNW as appropriate
USCG Basic Polar Code Operations Endorsement (STCW V/4-1) Requirements
- Coast Guard approved course in Basic Polar Code Operation, OR
- Proof of Completion of Training as specified in A-V/4-1 of the STCW Code (Note 1 applies)
Basic Polar Code Operations Revalidation (Renewal)
- Coast Guard approved or accepted refresher training the includes Basic Polar Code Operations; OR
- Evidence of a qualified instructor who has taught a USCG approved or accepted Basic or Advanced Polar Code Operations course at least twice in the previous 5 years; OR
- 60 days seagoing service as an deck officer with the previous 5 years operating within polar waters
USCG Advanced Polar Code Operations Endorsement (STCW V/4-2) Requirements
- Satisfactory evidence of meeting Basic Polar Code Operations, AND
- Coast Guard approved course in Advanced Polar Code Operations OR proof of Completion of Training as specified in A-V/4-2 of the STCW Code (Note 1 applies), AND
- 60 days of seagoing service at the management level or as OICNW while operating within polar waters
Advanced Polar Code Operations Revalidation (Renewal)
- Coast Guard approved or accepted refresher training the includes Advanced Polar Code Operations; OR
- Evidence of a qualified instructor who has taught a USCG approved or accepted Advanced Polar Code Operations course at least twice in the previous 5 years; OR
- 60 days seagoing service as an management level deck officer with the previous 5 years operating within polar waters
Notes
- Evidence of required training can be a U.S. training certificate or company letter. It may reference STCW AV/4-1 for Basic, or A-V/4-2 for Advanced, or CG-OES Policy letter 01-16, or MSC 95/22/Add.2 Annex 9. The letter must specify if the training completed meets the requirements for Basic, Advanced, or both
- Sea service must be documented in accordance with 46 CFR 10.232 and should include the number of days served and capacity served on a vessel operating in polar waters. Service in the capacity of Ice Pilot may be accepted as long as the appropriate STCW is currently held. Service as Ice Pilot did not have to be while holding any credential as long as the appropriate STCW capacity is currently valid for the endorsement sought
- Mariners issued Advanced Polar Code Operations (V/4-2) will also be endorsed with Basic Polar Code Operations (V/4-1)
- Polar Waters means Artic waters (greater than 60N) and/or the Antarctic waters (greater than 60S)
For more details on STCW Polar Code requirements, please visit our STCW Code section
Disclaimer: For general information purpose - please check with USCG for the latest requirements and accurate info