1. Noticeable regulation on inland waterway vessels
The following noticeable detail is quoted from the Circular No. 04/2017/TT-BGTVT on amendments to the Circular No. 47/2015/TT-BGTVT on the responsibilities of crewmembers and helmsmen on inland waterway vessels:
- The owner of a cargo vessel whose deadweight tonnage is 300 or higher or a passenger vessel that is capable of carrying 50 or more passengers shall form the crewmember directory and the vessel’s log.
- Vietnam Inland Waterway Administration or the Department of Transportation of the relevant province or central-affiliated city shall affix its official seal on the cover page or on the overlying edges of all pages of the vessel's log to validate its use pursuant to current regulations.
- It is no longer prescribed that only the captain or a mate can make inputs into the vessel’s log. The captain or a mate is stated, instead, to be responsible for making daily inputs into the vessel’s log.
Likewise, the chief engineer or assistant engineer is stated to be responsible for making daily inputs into the engine log.
Circular No. 04/2017/TT-BGTV also supplements the regional code list for a vessel’s log.
2. Crewmembers bearing titles on inland waterway vessels
Crewmembers shall bear titles on an inland waterway vessel, pursuant to the Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BGTVT on amendments to the Circular No. 56/2014/TT-BGTVT in the following manner:
- On a river-crossing passenger vessel capable of carrying up to 50 people, a cargo vessel whose deadweight tonnage is at most 50 or a vessel whose main engine’s power is up to 50 hp:
+ A crewmember holding a restricted third-ranked master’s certificate or a certificate of competency of fourth-ranked master can assume the title of captain; and
+ Crewmembers holding a second-ranked sailor's certificate can assume the title of sailor on the said vessels.
- Crewmembers holding a certificate or certificate of competency of second-ranked master can assume the title of captain on a cargo vessel whose deadweight tonnage is up to 1000;
However, they are subject to 3-month or longer probation in the second-rank title on a cargo vessel whose deadweight tonnage exceed 500.
Moreover, the Circular No. 02/2017/TT-BGTVT defines amendments to the conversion of certificates of competency and certificates of expertise.
3. Probation for motor vehicle surveyors
On December 30, 2016, the Circular No. 51/2016/TT-BGTVT is promulgated as the guideline for implementing the Circular No. 63/2016/ND-CP on requirements for the provision of motor vehicle inspection services. It stipulates that:
- A motor vehicle surveyor shall be subject to occupational probation at one or various motor vehicle surveying entities in 03 months after completing his training in motor vehicle surveying.
- The surveyor shall report to Vietnam Register on changes to the surveying entities at which he undertakes probation.
- A probationer shall practice examining the 5-stage inspection line and using examination equipment and motor vehicle inspection control software.
Circular No. 51/2016/TT-BGTVT also provides for the examination, evaluation and maintenance of surveying entities' eligibility for motor vehicle inspection.
4. Circular No. 03/2017/TT-BGTVT regulates the training programs and contents for crewmembers and helmsmen on inland waterway vessels and replaces the Ministry of Transportation’s Circular No. 57/2014/TT-BGTVT .
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