Information bulletin for seafarers and shipping companies: validity of seafarers’ competency and medical certificates extended

The Finnish Parliament approved a government proposal concerning temporary amendments to legislation in the administrative branch of the Ministry of Transport and Communications. (External link) The purpose of the amendments is to facilitate, for example, the renewal of maritime certificates of competency because of the effects of the coronavirus epidemic.

The changes entered into force on 1 July 2021.

Renewal of seafarers’ medical certificates

Under the Act on Medical Fitness Examinations of Seafarers (1171/2010, section 10), Traficom may, for compelling reasons, grant a seafarer a permit to temporarily serve on board without a valid medical certificate, if the medical certificate has expired recently. Such a permit is valid until the next port of call where an examination can be performed, but no longer than three months.  

In such cases, the shipowner must contact the Traficom team responsible for maritime qualifications at merimiesyksikko(at)traficom.fi. Please note that this only applies to vessels flying the flag of Finland. In other cases, the shipowner should contact the flag state in question.

Extending the validity of maritime certificates of competency or proficiency beyond their expiry date

In order to mitigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, temporary amendments have been made to legislation. The changes entered into force on 1 July 2021. The amendments allow for an extension of the validity of fixed-term certificates of competency and certificates of proficiency that expire no later than 31 December 2021. The extension is valid for six months from the original expiration date, and no application is required. The extension also applies to certificates whose validity has already been extended; for these certificates, the new period of validity will begin from the expiration date of the previous extension. No separate application is needed for the extension.

Dispensations

Traficom may also grant dispensations regarding certificates of proficiency referred to in section 98 of the Act on Transport Services, if this is necessary because of a disruption caused by the COVID-19 epidemic or some other circumstance of exceptional necessity. A dispensation may be granted, if it does not put life, property or the environment at risk. Dispensations may be valid for a maximum of six months at a time. Shipowners must apply for the dispensation and declare the circumstances of exceptional necessity. The provisions are in force until 31 December 2021.

Endorsements attesting recognition

During the COVID-19 epidemic, if a foreign competent authority extends the validity of a certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency referred to in section 98, subsections 3 and 4 of the Act on Transport Services granted to a person serving on board a Finnish vessel, the endorsement issued by Traficom will expire on the same date as the certificate of competency or certificate of proficiency recognised by the endorsement, but no later than 30 April 2022.