#MarineNotice - The latest Marine Notices from the Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport (DTTAS) advise seafarers and vessel owners of revised medical and energy efficiency certificates that come into force this coming Tuesday 1 January 2013.

Marine Notice No 65 of 2012 contains details of the revised Seafarer Medical Certificate - Form 3 (ENG11) which is being introduced by the DTTAS to ensure continued improvements to seafarer safety.

The redesigned form incorporates additional information on a seafarer's medical fitness, and will be issued by approved doctors from 1 January onwards. All current certificates held by seafarers will remain valid till their expiry dates.

Meanwhile, Marine Notice No 66 of 2012 has full information on the new International Energy Efficiency Certificate which will be required for all ships of 400 GT and over.

The new certificate is based on amendments to MARPOL Annex VI relating to regulation on energy efficiency on board ships.

From 1 January all new build ships will be provided with an IEE Certificate subject to fulfilling relevant criteria. It will only be valid in combination with the Energy Efficience Design Index (EEDI) indicated on the cert, and the Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP).

Existing ships will be provided with an IEE Certificate at the first intermediate or renewal survey of the International Air Pollution Prevention (IAPP) Certificate.