Processing Applications for National Officer/Rating Endorsements that Expire on March 24, 2019

The Coast Guard amended regulations to qualify for national officer and rating endorsements in a final rule titled Implementation of the Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, and Changes to National Endorsements (78 FR 77796).  The rule was published on December 24, 2013.  The portions applicable to national endorsements became effective on March 24, 2014.

The final rule provided grandfathering provisions for mariners who began the service and/or training for their endorsement before March 24, 2014.  Under these grandfathering provisions, mariners who began service or training for a national endorsement may qualify for the endorsement under the regulation and polices existing before March 24, 2014, provided they apply for the endorsement before March 24, 2019.

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RNLI in Action – 30 years ago

30 years ago, the volunteer crew of Portrush Lifeboat launched in dreadful conditions to reports of two Spanish trawlers in difficulty - This was when the famous Portrush picture was taken by photographer Ian Watson- Crew member Mark Mitchell tells the story:

On a February afternoon in 1989, when I was 21, we were asked to go to the aid of two Spanish trawlers floundering off Donegal. Nothing unusual - except for the weather. The wind speed indicator at the top of the mast was screaming at 113.5mph. I had done several call-outs but this was the most dangerous to date.

We sat at the harbour entrance for what seemed like a lifetime as we strapped in and prepared. We were all well-experienced seafarers, but we knew this one was going to be bad.

As one mountainous wave after another surged past the harbour mouth, the Coxswain saw his chance - he was looking for a trough we could get ourselves into - and slammed the throttles forward. Almost a thousand horsepower launched us into the maelstrom. I was terrified. But we weren't allowed to say so because we were men in a man's world. In those days we couldn't show our fear.

Seconds later, the *seventh wave caught us and we were now suddenly on our side, surfing down a wall of white water towards the trough.

In a lesser boat we would have been dead, but the legendary stability of the **Richard Evans Arun Class Lifeboat pulled us back to something resembling an even keel and we turned to face the next one.

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Port Facility Security Assessments & Port Security Assessments 01/07/2019 - 30/06/2024

Marine Notice No. 03 of 2019

Notice to Port Authorities, Port Security Officers and Port Facility Security Officers, Recognised Security Organisations (Ports)

The Department wishes to inform Port Authorities, Port Security Officers and Port Facility Security Officers of the procedure and arrangements in place for the completion and review of security assessments required for the period 2019 -2024 as per the requirements of Directive 65/2005/EC and Regulation 725/04/EC (ISPS).

Port Security Assessment

A new Port Security Assessment (PSA) template has been developed pursuant to the European Communities (Port Security) Regulations 2007 (transposing Directive 2005/65/EC). See PSA template.  The port authority or the entity responsible for the port will organise the PSA to be carried out by a Recognised Security Organisation (Ports).   A single PSA document must be completed for each port and is to be submitted by the Port Authority / Company to the SafeSeasIreland (SSI) portal.  (This is to be submitted in SSI using the page corresponding to the “Main Facility” in each port).

Port Facility Security Assessment

A new Port Facility Security Assessment (PFSA) template has been developed pursuant to Regulation (EC) No 725/2004 (ISPS).  See PFSA template.  This is to be completed for every port facility. The port facility security officer will organise the PFSA to be carried out by a Recognised Security Organisation (Ports). This template also includes the waterside assessment of the port facility area.  The PFSO should liaise with the Port Security Office / Harbour Master, to ensure as far as possible, that the waterside assessment for the facility is complementary to the waterside assessment for the wider port area contained in the PSA.  The completed PFSA is to be submitted by the Port Authority / Company to the SafeSeasIreland (SSI) portal.

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