With effect from 16 Mar 98, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) will implement a dependency ratio of 4 local certified officers to 1 foreign certified officer for employment on board harbour craft that operate strictly within the port waters of Singapore. The move will help alleviate the current shortage of local certified officers working on board such harbour craft. These harbour craft, of which there are presently 1,183, are not flagged and are allowed to ply only within Singapore's port limits.
To ensure the competency of the foreign certified officers and help familiarise them with local port water conditions, they will be required to undergo courses conducted by the National Maritime Academy, the training arm of MPA. Upon passing the examinations they will then be allowed to be employed.
The MPA will monitor and enforce the dependency ratio through the issuance of port limit manning licence.
End of Statement.
