Safety code for small commercial vessels operating in the Caribbean trade area (SCV Code 2021)
Safety code for small commercial vessels operating in the Caribbean trade area (SCV Code 2021)
Prepared for the Caribbean countries With the support of the International Maritime Organization
Caribbean trade area means the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea itself, including the bays and seas therein, and that part of the Atlantic Ocean bounded by a rhumb line from a point on the east coast of the United States of America at 32o 00′ north latitude to the intersection 20o 00′ north latitude, 59o 00′ west longitude; thence by a rhumb line to the intersection 7o 20′ north latitude, 50o west longitude; thence by a rhumb line in a southwesterly direction to the
eastern border of French Guiana
The Safety Code for Small Commercial Vessels (SCV Code) prescribes operational standards of safety, certification of seafarers, and welfare and protection of the marine environment for small commercial vessels operating in the Caribbean Trade Area (CTA).
The SCV Code applies to commercially operated vessels trading in the Caribbean trade area, with an overall length of 5 meters or more and a length (L) of less than 24 meters.
Passenger ships, according to this code, may: operate only at a distance of 20 miles or less from the nearest port or safe place of refuge; carry no more than 150 passengers; and if overnight accommodations are provided, carry no more than 50 passengers on overnight voyages.
Grades and area limitations of boating licenses.
A master’s certificate issued in accordance with Regulation X/4.1 shall bear the title “Master’s Certificate” and shall be of one of the following grades, which shall appear on the certificate:
Boatmaster License, Grade 1
Boatmaster License, Grade 2
Boatmaster License, Grade 3
Boat Engineer License, Grade 1
Boat Engineer License, Grade 2
The grade of permit appropriate for a vessel operating in waters specified in column (1) of Table X/5.2 & Table X/9.2 that is of the size or type specified with respect to those waters in column (2) of the table is the grade of permit.
(2) of the table is either the rank indicated in column (3) of the table with respect to those waters and that size or type of vessel or, where the rank so indicated is 2 or 3, a higher rank than the rank so indicated:
Protected watersshall mean an area designated as such by the competent authority for the small vessels in relation to its territorial waters, consisting of sheltered waters that do not present special hazards. If not designated as such, it is an area that is in no case more than 3 nautical miles from a safe place of refuge.
Port or safe haven: a harbor, inlet or other body of water usually sheltered from heavy seas by land that poses no particular danger and into which a vessel can safely enter and from which those on board can safely disembark. The suitability of a location as a safe place of refuge is determined by the competent authority.
Coastal waters means an area designated as such by the competent authority in respect of the territorial sea and contiguous zone, but in no case extending more than 20 nautical miles from a port or place of refuge. If not so designated, it means an area not more than 20 nautical miles from a port or safe haven.
Exposed (exposed) waters means all waters more than 20 nautical miles from a port or safe haven, or other waters designated as such by the competent authority.
When a vessel, whose master must hold a sailing certificate, has sails as its primary means of propulsion, a sail endorsement is required. The requirement for a sail endorsement is a practical test
on boat handling, as described in Appendix 11-1.3.
A certificate of any grade shall be subject to such restrictions as the Administration may establish as to the area or areas in which a vessel may be navigated under the command of the holder; any such restriction shall be entered in the certificate.
To obtain Boat Master grade 3, an applicant must:
- 18 years and older
- Valid Medical First Aid certificate (part of the course!)
- a valid medical certificate
- good health and physically able to participate in hands-on exercises.
- valid marine telephone certificate.
To obtain Boat Master grade 2, an applicant must:
- 20 years and older
- Have completed approved sailing time of at least two months
- a valid medical certificate
- good health and physically able to participate in hands-on exercises
- Possess Boat Master grade 3 / Boat Master grade III.
- Certificates: (available from DRTC Caribbean)
- Basic Sea Survival – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.19
- Elementary First Aid – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.13
- Basic Firefighting Course – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.20
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.21
To obtain Boat Master grade 1, an applicant must:
- 20 years and older
- Have completed approved sailing time of at least four months
- a valid medical certificate
- good health and physically able to participate in hands-on exercises
- In possession of Boat Master grade 2 / Boat Master grade II
- Certificates: (available from DRTC Caribbean)
- Basic Sea Survival – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.19
- Elementary First Aid – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.13
- Basic Firefighting Course – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.20
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.21
To obtain Boat Engineer grade 2, an applicant must:
- 18 years and older
- a valid medical certificate
- good health and physically able to participate in hands-on exercises
- Certificates (STCW Basic Safety Training): (available from DRTC Caribbean).
- Basic Sea Survival – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.19
- Elementary First Aid – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.13
- Basic Firefighting Course – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.20
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.21
To obtain Boat Engineer grade 1, an applicant must:
- 18 years and older
- a valid medical certificate
- good health and physically able to participate in hands-on exercises
- Be in possession of Boat Engineer grade 2
- Certificates (STCW Basic Safety Training): (available from DRTC Caribbean).
- Basic Sea Survival – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.19
- Elementary First Aid – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.13
- Basic Firefighting Course – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.20
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibility – e.g. IMO Model Course 1.21
Note
Passenger ships under this Code must
sail only at a distance of 20 miles or less from the nearest port or safe place of refuge;
may carry no more than 150 passengers; and
if overnight accommodations are provided, carry no more than 50 passengers on overnight trips.
Questions or looking for course dates?
DRTC Curacao [email protected]
DRTC Caribbean [email protected]
DRTC Flushing Headquarters [email protected]
DRTC Groningen [email protected]