Tanker Familiarisation Course

[GuinnessMan]

GM, what you are describing is a Catch-22 situation, you cannot get a DCE endorsement without doing the Tanker Fam course, and 3 months on a tanker, so how can anyone new to tankers get a DCE?

Anyway, it is not a requirement to work, what I gather from people who have joined tankers after working cargo, you get the time in when you join as a Trainee 3rd Mate, or Trainee 4th Eng, then get the endorsement after your first trip on tankers.

The catch22 situation exists across the entire working world! Everyone wants people with experience, but you can't get the experience because no one will hire you! That's not really anything new.

The second bit is what I've been saying! If an Owner is looking to hire someone new to the tanker side, then you will get some leeway, but you will still be expected to get it and your employment will probably be based upon that. Some just say "no one without DCE" and that is what we, as technical managers, have to follow. As an example, we run a few LNG carriers for one Owner who has **** loads. Now because not all the new junior officers that they have have been employing have the Gas DCE, they then come on our ships for three months as a "shadow" to whatever rank they are to learn and obtain the DCE. If they do not complete the SIGTTO course or leave early without a good enough reason then they are not hired on because they don't have the endorsement that is needed as these ships run on OM cargo's. Is this making any sense?

[alistairuk]

Ok.. since it's gone into a near argument, I have consulted a book

Basic Tanker Training (The original question);

Who requires it? Ratings assigned specific duties and responsibilities related to cargo or cargo equipment and all officers on oil, gas and chemical tankers.

What is it? At least 3 months sea service on tankers; or an MCA approved tanker familiarisation programme; or at least 30 days service under the supervision of qualified officers on a tanker of not less than 3000 GT engaged on voyages of not more than 72 hours duration.

My understanding of this is that EVERYONE working on a tanker as an officer requires Basic Tanker Training - therefore if you intend to apply to work for a tanker company its probably an advantage to already have done the Tanker Fam. Course

Tanker Endorsement (the new question);

Who requires it? Master, Chief Engineer, Chief Mates, Second Engineers and any person with immediate responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or handling of tanker cargo.

So basically; LEGALLY as a 3rd / 2nd officer you do not require it to work on tankers - however you would not be able to be "responsible" for the loading / discharging of the cargo. Therefore it's safe to say that practically, you will require one unless you are a new hire into the industry.

Further information can be found in MGN 95; http://www.dft.gov.uk/mca/mgn_095(m).pdf

[Ducki52]

And here was me looking forward to the GM and Steve rolling round in front of Harry Hill having a Fiiiight...

[ETwhat?]

As I said, there may be no legal requirements or a flag state rule, however a vessel will get observations if Officers don't have it and the oil major may even reject your vessel based on that alone (they have rejected vessels for less) or it may be one of their requirements that all Officers have them (because you have to list it on a Officer's Matrix and I know it is requirement for at least three of them). You'll obviously get some leeway if you're just starting on a tanker but they will expect you to get it at some point and plus, if the Owner's say "all must have DCE" (and quite a number of them do) then tough titties as you won't be hired without one.

regarding observations it may be what you experience but it isnt industry wide and isnt by any means.

[Steve]

you cannot get a DCE endorsement without doing the Tanker Fam course, and 3 months on a tanker,

Tanker safety course, not just the tanker familiarisation course. Tanker safety pretty much repeats tanker familiarisation but is supposed to be a bit more advanced. Waste of a week, but you get the ticket.

[Steve]

And here was me looking forward to the GM and Steve rolling round in front of Harry Hill having a Fiiiight...

We exist to perform for your pleasure.

[Pilot Chris]

Its interesting to hear that colleges no longer do the tanker fam. course as it was compulsory for our entire class - I must add that this was more than 10 years ago!

[GuinnessMan]

Its interesting to hear that colleges no longer do the tanker fam. course as it was compulsory for our entire class - I must add that this was more than 10 years ago!

The colleges still teach it, but it's an extra course, not compulsory unless you are going on tankers.