New Oman regulations to require certificates for sailors, officers

Muscat: Ships’ captains and officers should obtain a valid competence certificate issued by the Maritime Authority, according to the Ministry of Transport and Communication, in a decision issued to regulate the training and licencing of sailors.
Twelve types of certificates were announced by the Ministry of Transport and Communication for sailors working aboard ships that require them to obtain such certifications.
The 12 certificates are granted to sailors, depending upon their job titles, as the ministry stated the qualification required to obtain each certificate. The decision also stated that all sailors working aboard Omani ships should obtain three compulsory certificates, including basic safety training, lifeboats and rescue boats, and advanced fire fighting.
The decision stated that the Maritime Authority is responsible for issuing and attesting to certificates for ships’ captains and officers, eligibility certificates for qualified sailors, and identification documents in Arabic and English languages.
Additionally, the regulations call for the Maritime Authority to determine the routing of coastal cruises near the coast of Oman and,when the area overlaps with the boundaries of another country, then the Maritime Authority, in agreement with the maritime authority of the other country, will determine the trade area and cruise routes for
each country.
The decision also stated that the Maritime Authority can accept certificates issued from another country for sailors working in coastal cruises near the Sultanate’s coast.
Further, the new regulations call upon the Maritime Authority to start an investigation when a certificate holder endangers the lives or properties of others. The Maritime Authority also will refer falsified certificate holders to the public prosecutor for further legal actions.