.2 Base qualification(s) recognized for issue
of a special qualification should certify the officer for performance
of functions on a ship or aircraft, having approximately equal or
higher characteristics of weight, engine power, passenger capacity,
range, etc., as the WIG craft for which the officer is certificated.
The special qualification should not certify the officer for a higher
rank on board a WIG craft than that corresponding to the base qualification(s).
.3 The Administration may reduce the period of
seagoing service on conventional ships required for obtaining a certificate
of marine base qualification if the candidate is to work only on a
WIG craft.
.4 For the purposes of these recommendations,
WIG craft may be classified by maximum take-off weight (displacement)
as follows:
- up to 10 tonnes (small);
- from 10 tonnes up to 500 tonnes (medium); and
- more than 500 tonnes (large).
.5 The base qualifications of officers on WIG
craft of Types A and B (as defined in the Interim Guidelines for a
WIG craft (MSC/Circ.1054)) should
preferably be marine qualifications e.g., as master, chief mate, officer
in charge of a navigational watch etc.
.6 Aviation base qualifications are not preferred
for officers on Type A WIG craft but can be accepted where the Administration
is satisfied that the candidate possesses the required knowledge and
skills. It should be noted that IMO and ICAO (MSC 77/21/1) have agreed
that operations in fly-over mode rest within joint maritime/aviation
jurisdiction, while those in flight mode are within aviation jurisdiction.
.7 For service on WIG craft of Types A and B,
officers having an aviation base qualification should have satisfactorily
completed an approved course of marine training and received a certificate,
according to the requirements of the 1978 STCW
Convention, at least in following areas of marine knowledge:
- GMDSS Radio (General Operators' Certificate (GOC) or Restricted
Operators' Certificate (ROC) as appropriate);
- ARPA;
- ECDIS;
- AIS
- Basic and/or Advanced Fire fighting;
- Survival;
- First aid and/or medical training;
- Human Factors /Bridge Resource Management;
- High-Speed Craft operations;
- Passenger handling; and
- Planning and conduct of local pilotage.