Professional Skipper - Free Sample issue (July/Aug 2011)

MARITIME TRAINING THE FINAL QUALIFICATION FRAMEWORK – INITIAL THOUGHTS BY TIM WILSON, DIRECTOR, NEW ZEALAND MARITIME SCHOOL M aritime New Zealand has just released the "final" version of the proposed Qualifications and Operational Limits Framework, or QOL. The final part indicates further consultation is disappointingly but perhaps understandably not being sought prior to proceeding to rule development. The release of the draft rule at some point in the future will, however, give all of us a final opportunity to have our input into requirements that will have the most profound impact on the operation of our industry. My initial reaction is Maritime NZ has responded perhaps as well as it could to many of the initial issues raised during consultation, given the diversity of stakeholder interests. A fuller understanding of the real implications will come over a little more time. Andrew Clapham, who inherited the Qual Review project for Maritime NZ, and those who supported what are some fundamental changes from those initially proposed, deserve some rare recognition from the industry for their constructive approach. Of course, we will not all agree on the "final" version. That is the way of our industry, but I do believe a far better balance has been achieved between the interests of all the stakeholders. Positive changes include restricting the application of full STCW provisions outside restricted limits to vessels of at least 24m. This removes a number of onerous and largely irrelevant requirements on much of the small commercial fleet in the coastal and offshore areas. Operators of vessels under 24m in length will no longer require full STCW certification or have their engineering requirements based on the combined power of multiple-engine vessels. Proposed non-STCW compliant certificates in these operating areas have also been dropped. The discretion of the director of Maritime NZ to approve alternative certification to operate larger vessels within restricted limits has now been limited to 3000 tonnes and must now be supported by a transparent process. The outcome is that pragmatic requirements for smaller domestic vessels can now be developed without threatening the employment internationally of New Zealand seafarers. This is a great outcome, given the implications of the initial proposal. The framework provides a linear progression from lowest to highest-level certification, with a number of new entry points and reduced sea service requirements for initial certification. This is excellent. CONTINUED ON PAGE 74 Your fi rst choice in maritime training NEW ZEALAND MARITIME SCHOOL Maritime training designed to meet your company's needs: - Customised training - Maritime consultancy - Flexible learning options including blended delivery for 'Inshore Launchmaster' and 'New Zealand Offshore Watchkeeper'. Maritime New Zealand Licences Marine Engineering STCW '95 Basic Training Mate and Master Yacht Licences. Contact us now for a list of our 2010 courses or for further information: Level 3, 2 Commerce St, Auckland 0800 744 722 • maritime@manukau.ac.nz • www.nzmaritime.com July/August 2011 Professional Skipper r 55 7072 000162 PS VIP.S73

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