Australia seeks rationalisation of superyacht qualifications

Australia seeks rationalisation of superyacht qualifications

Marine qualifications in the superyacht sector was a key issue raised during the 1st Australian Superyacht and Marine Export Conference (ASMEX) in Sanctuary Cove last month.

According to Superyacht Australia, the country is losing skilled industry personnel whose qualifications and experience gained overseas are not recognised in Australia. Alternatively, Australian qualifications are not recognised internationally.

The primary issue concerning Australian crew is the lack of reciprocity of qualifications between those with MCA (yachting) qualifications and those with Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) qualifications.

"In Australia, 'Recognition of Prior Learning' for state certificates takes time to acquire, so that on return to Australia after gaining sea time on superyachts internationally, and if crew have RYA Yachtmaster qualifications, they have to go through an expensive and time consuming requalification process to meet state and AMSA qualifications," said Donna Morris, Principal of Australian Superyacht Crew Recruitment and Training, during the conference.

AMSA is now working on a revision to Marine Orders Part 3, which will go further towards rationalising requirements for marine qualifications in Australia in accordance with the STCW Convention.


Source: Superyacht Business, 29 June 2011