Nautilus Calls for Clarification on Seafarer Certificates post-Brexit

UK’s maritime trade union Nautilus International is calling for top-level assurances that UK seafarers’ certificates will continue to be recognised within the European Union during and after the Brexit process.

The Union has written to shipping minister John Hayes to request urgent clarification on what action is being taken by the UK to ensure that British seafarers will still be able to work on ships registered in other EU member states on the basis of their UK training and qualifications.

The move comes after the European Commission warned of “certain legal repercussions” for the mutual recognition of seafarers’ certificates arising from the UK’s withdrawal from the EU and its consequent move to “third country” status.

The EC’s transport directorate said that following the withdrawal date, UK seafarer certificates will no longer be automatically recognised by the remaining 27 member states. Existing UK certificates which have an “endorsement attesting recognition” would continue to be valid until their expiry date, but would not be transferable between different EU flags.

“We believe it is vital that the UK government takes steps now to provide our members with certainty for the years ahead and to ensure that Brexit does not create new barriers to their employment,” Mark Dickinson, General secretary, said.

Nautilus is asking the minister whether the UK has plans in place to ensure the continued recognition of UK seafarers’ certificates without interruption after Brexit. The Union said it is also urging the minister to consider whether the future recognition of UK seafarer certificates could be part of any transition deal, and what contingencies are in place for a “no deal” scenario.