Derogation to the STCW qualification for function occupied onboard

In circumstances of extreme necessity, the head of the RIF Office may grant a derogation from the criteria on maritime professional qualifications to fulfill a function on board a ship.

This derogation may be granted to a seafarer who holds the maritime professional training certificate required to exercise the rank immediately below that for which the derogation is requested.

When a derogation request relates to support functions and in the absence of an immediately lower rank, it may be granted to a seafarer whose level of qualifications and experience is equivalent to that required for the rank 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.