Nautilus has petitioned the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) for a temporary move to digital sea time verification for superyacht members.
The move would ensure continued service during the Covid-19 pandemic to yacht crew who require sea time verification for certificates of competency and to assist the MCA with the revalidation process.
Yacht members would be able to send Nautilus a signed and stamped scanned copy of testimonials via email. Nautilus would verify the testimonials as per standard procedures and lodge that with the MCA.
'Nautilus understands that yacht crew will continue to require verification of sea time and is doing everything it can to support yacht members during the Covid-19 pandemic,' strategic organiser Rachel Lynch said.
Members are usually required to send in their original testimonials and service record book via post, which the Union signs, stamps and returns following verification. The Union is concerned that some documents may be lost or verification delayed with its London and Wallasey offices closed following government guidance and staff working from home.
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