Derogation to the STCW qualification for function occupied onboard

In accordance with the provisions of art. 06 of Decree no. 2015-723 of 24 June 2015 on the issuing of maritime vocational training qualifications and the conditions for performing duties on board ships, in circumstances of extreme necessity, the head of the RIF Office (or, by delegation of signature, an executive of the GU RIF) may grant a derogation from the conditions of maritime professional qualification for the exercise of a capacity on board a vessel registered in the RIF.

This derogation may be granted to a seafarer holding the maritime vocational qualification required to perform the capacity immediately below that for which the derogation is requested. Where a derogation request relates to support functions and there is no immediately lower certificate of competency, it may be granted to a seafarer whose level of qualifications and experience is equivalent to that required for the capacity for which the derogation is requested.

The derogation is granted for a period not exceeding 6 months.

On board commercial yachts registered in the RIF, no derogation can be granted for the ranks of master or chief engineer, except in circumstances of force majeure. In such case, the derogation validity is conditioned on the duration of this circumstance and ne peut, en tout état de cause, dépasser 2 mois.

No derogation may be granted for the criteria on maritime professional qualifications for the rank of radio-electrical officer or radio-communications operator.