November 7, 2013

First Canadian Training Certificate Issued for Vessel Personnel With Security Responsibilities

MacDonnell Group of Halifax made history today by issuing the first Training Certificate for a Vessel Personnel With Security Responsibility in Canada. The recipient John Cooney is a seafarer aboard the North Ocean 105 with McDermott Canada. John is among many seafarers who will be receiving their certification with companies like, McDermott Canada and Anglo Eastern Group in Montreal. The new certification is part of an international training and certification program initiated by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and recently expanded to include all vessel personnel.

Company President Ralston MacDonnell commented “This milestone represents the first of thousands of Canadian seafarers that will be trained and certified over the coming months. as this company, under approval from Transport Canada, embarks on a robust schedule to help the Canadian seafarer community meet the deadline of January 1^st 2014 imposed by pending regulations.”

Canada’s marine laws are greatly influenced by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to which Canada is a member state. The lead federal department, Transport Canada (TC), works closely with the shipping industry and international partners to ensure that Canada’s marine transportation system remains one of the safest and most secure in the world. Moreover, TC develops and promotes risk-based marine security requirements through regulations and other instruments as appropriate to achieve acceptable levels of marine security.

In December 2002, in response to the events of September 11, 2001, the IMO adopted the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code (ISPS Code) as well as amendments to the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974 (SOLAS) to significantly enhance the deterrence, prevention and detection of acts that threaten security in the marine transportation sector. The ISPS Code sets out a framework that gives member states a common way to measure risk, reduce threats and make vessels and marine facilities less vulnerable through well-defined security levels and procedures. All SOLAS-contracting states, including Canada, were required to adopt the ISPS Code on or before July 1, 2004. Canada implemented the Code through the Regulations, which came into force on July 1, 2004, established under the authority of section 5 of the Marine Transportation Security Act.