Direct Request (CEACR) - adopted 2001, published 90th ILC session (2002)

Fishermen's Competency Certificates Convention, 1966 (No. 125) - Panama (Ratification: 1970)

Articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Convention. The Committee recalls that under these provisions of the Convention the minimum professional experience prescribed by national laws or regulations for the issuance of a mate’s certificate of competency shall be not less than three years’ service engaged in deck duties; for the issuance of a skipper’s certificate of competency not less than four years’ sea service engaged in deck duties; and for the issuance of an engineer’s certificate of competency not less than three years’ sea service in the engine room. It notes that section 20 of resolution No. 007-2001 of the Maritime Authority of Panama of 12 February 2001 prescribes the following ranks of personnel working on board fishing vessels: (i) master fishing vessel; (ii) first deck officer fishing vessel; (iii) second deck officer fishing vessel; (iv) chief engineer officer fishing vessel; (v) first engineer officer fishing vessel; and (vi) second engineer officer fishing vessel. It further notes that the minimum professional experience prescribed by section 21 of this resolution for obtaining any of these ranks is 12 months. The Committee asks the Government to take all necessary measures in order to bring national legislation into conformity with the Convention, and to keep it informed on any progress made in this respect.

Articles 11 and 12. The Committee asks the Government to clarify whether successful passing of the examination prescribed by the Directorate General of Seafarers (section 6 of resolution No. 007-2001) is a mandatory condition for obtaining ranks of personnel working on board fishing vessels or whether such ranks could be obtained without passing this examination.