New flexible pathways to obtaining Tanker certification

We have some great news for international seafarers wanting to work on tankers. Due to travel problems and difficulties attending UK colleges, there are changes to the UK Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) rules on courses.

In challenging times, it is important to look at any possible positives. For seafarers, the ongoing COVID-19 travel disruption and closure of training facilities have been a cause for concern. Thankfully there has been  a breakthrough change to rules over where training must be undertaken which will mean many more seafarers can access the essential qualifications needed to work onboard tankers and to gain MCA tanker certification.

This is great news for seafarers and shipping companies alike globally and has been brought about as the UK MCA recently changed its pre-requisite for MCA approved firefighting certificates to only be provided mostly by UK centres. The important concession and change now allow seafarers holding non-MCA firefighting certificates to finally gain MCA tanker certification, provided they have completed MCA tanker firefighting theory training.

We have now incorporated this training into Ocean Technologies Group (OTG) courses. As a result, OTG has obtained MCA approva l to include three new tanker firefighting theory modules, covering the MCA syllabus within our updated STCW oil, chemical and liquefied gas tanker training courses.

This means that for the first time we have made MCA certification of the STCW basic and advanced tanker training courses available to those who have existing firefighting certificates from a long list of alternative countries. This is massive news for all those who have wanted to sign up before, but were deterred or stopped by the requirements.

Now that these are accepted by the MCA as a pre-requisite to study, it opens the door for many more seafarers to enrol and work towards a highly respected MCA tanker training certificate. Our five tanker courses have all been revised as needed to enable more seafarers globally to obtain MCA [STCW] basic and advanced tanker training certification.

What does that mean for seafarers, and how can these changes and the embracing of training technology mean for those looking to advance in their careers? Well, a quick look at any recruitment website will tell you the answer.

With these qualifications, tanker jobs finally become accessible and attainable. A significant barrier to career progression has been removed, and it will really boost the chances of seafarers wanting to gain the training and certificates needed to switch to tanker careers. Prior to this change, the additional training and familiarisation required for tanker training, and the specialist technical knowledge needed to serve on oil tankers rested on the requirement that candidates had to satisfy strict MCA requirements for Basic Tanker Training with regards to where they conducted parts of their training. That is no longer the case.

For many seafarers, the journey from basic STCW training through to getting their tanker endorsements is a challenge, but it is worth it for those who want to work on tankers.

Seafarers often talk of the benefits which come from working on these vessels, with some experiencing enhanced pay and benefits, extremely high safety standards, and a chance to work for very respected and well-known companies. Now, the path to tanker qualification, promotion and exciting new jobs has opened up, and we expect more seafarers will be taking advantage of the opportunity.

We constantly hear from those at sea who want to switch ship types and find work on tankers, whether oil, chemical or gas and now we can bring them the courses they need to pursue their career goals.

For those working in crewing, this again is welcome news. We know that training departments value the flexibility of remote-first training that can be conducted without the cost and logistal challenges of travelling to training centres, especially when travel disruptions are ongoing.

The recent ICS Bimco workforce report has cited a current shortfall of 26,240 STCW certified officers and in particular a shortage of Management Level Deck Officers in the tanker sector. This welcome change to the flexibility of where training is conducted will provide them with much-needed flexibility to obtain the training and certification they need.

Courses can be taken via the Ocean Learning Platform or through pay as you go access from our new online shop.

For more information on these courses and hundreds more, go to the Ocean Technologies Group training library.