Nautilus members benefit from sea time verification and validation remotely
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has given the green light to digital sea-time verification for Nautilus superyacht members.
The move is a temporary step to ensure continued service during the Covid-19 pandemic to yacht crew who require sea-time verification for certificates of competency and to assist the MCA with the revalidation process.
Yacht members can now send Nautilus a signed and stamped scanned copy of testimonials via email. Nautilus will verify the testimonials as per standard procedures and lodge that with the MCA.
“We are pleased the MCA is supporting Nautilus and supporting yacht crew with digital verification of sea-time during the Covid-19 pandemic,” strategic organiser Rachel Lynch said. “This will provide seafarers with peace of mind during this time of great uncertainty.”
Digital verification will be available to all seafarers needing to revalidate Certificates of Competency (CoC) and Certificates of Equivalent Competency (CEC) during the current pandemic.
Seafarers can also send testimonials electronically for verification to keep on top of their sea time but will be required to send in their Service Record Book (SRB) and original testimonials later.
Nautilus House has been closed as per government advice during the pandemic with staff now working from home. Members are requested to cease sending SRBs, testimonials or other documents to Nautilus House until further notice.
Members are also urged to check their ship owner’s responsibilities under flag state laws, including those imposed under implementation of the MLC on matters such as health and safety, medical care, sick pay and repatriation.
Flag states that have ratified the MLC are required to ensure that ship owners provide their seafarers with adequate measures for protection of their health, and that they have access to prompt and adequate medical care whilst on board. This reflects the general duty of care of employers to provide a safe place and system of work for their employees.
If your flag state does not uphold its responsibilities under MLC it can be reported to the International Labour Organization (ILO). Contact your union for help in this situation. If your ship owner does not comply with its MLC responsibilities, you can make a complaint to your manager/master, flag state or port authority.
Why join?
Nautilus International is the first truly trans-boundary trade union for maritime professionals, reflecting the global nature of the industry. We negotiate with employers on issues including pay, working conditions, working hours and pensions to secure agreements which recognise members’ skills and experience, and the need for safety for the maritime sector. They offer Legal Services, Workplace Support, Certificate Protection, International Representation, plus other benefits you could need. In the past few years, Nautilus have been extremely successful in making sure yacht crew employment rights are upheld.
Nautilus members who are concerned or are experiencing difficulties related to the coronavirus outbreak are advised to contact their industrial organiser for assistance or the Nautilus 24/7 helpline.
www.nautilusint.org/en/assistance/nautilus-247
More Nautilus assistance and our coronavirus resource hub can be found on our Assistance page.
www.nautilusint.org/en/assistance/nautilus¬coronavirus-resources