MITAGS and PMI Receive DNV VSO Course Approval

Vessel Security Officer Endorsement Added to STCW-95 Certificate

The U.S. Coast Guard has implemented a new rule that requires all mariners who are designated in the position of Vessel Security Officer (VSO), also called Ship Security Officer or (SSO) on vessels subject to the STCW Convention to have a VSO endorsement on their STCW Certificate by July 1, 2009.

Students who have taken the MITAGS/PMI Vessel, Company, and Facility Security Officer (VCF) course, or its predecessor, the MITAGS/PMI Security Officer: Port, Company, and Ship (PCS) course, have met the certified training requirement of this new regulation. To obtain the endorsement, send your application and a copy of your course completion certificate to the National Maritime Center (NMC). They will reissue
your STCW-95 certificate, with the security endorsement, at no charge. For those who have taken a Security course that is not approved, you will need to take a one-day refresher course. If you have not taken a Security course, or if you cannot obtain a copy of your course completion certificate, you will need to take the regular three-day Security course.


On the WEB: The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS): www.mitags.org
On the WEB: The Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI): www.mates.org