Caribbean STAY

The Jamaican Ship Registry (JSR) is a full service Registry committed to provide quality service to the shipping industry through its marine survey and technical support programme.

Empowered by modern legislation, the Shipping Act 1998 provides a comprehensive basis for the inspection and certification of ships registered under the Jamaican Flag.  Staffed with a qualified and experienced team of surveyors who meet the highest standards of training and certification, the Maritime Authority of Jamaica (MAJ) has the capability and capacity to undertake the complete range of marine surveys and provide technical support for vessels on the Jamaican Ship Registry.

For the convenience of owners, the MAJ maintains a worldwide network of Surveyors to conduct safety inspections, which will complement the surveys conducted by the Classification Societies. This programme is designed to enhance and maintain the quality of the Jamaican Ship Registry (JSR) fleet, avoid Port State Control (PSC) detentions and assist owners to improve the reliability and operational efficiency of their vessels.

Seafarers’ Certification

Under the Shipping Act 1998, the MAJ is responsible for establishing the standards of Training, Examination and Certification for seafarer’s, trained at Jamaica’s maritime training college, the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI).. The MAJ administers the programme, approves the syllabus for training all seafarers’ and ensures strict compliance with STCW 78/95 standards.

Jamaica is one of the first countries to have effectively implemented the STCW Convention and was named on the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) “White List” published in November 2000.

The MAJ’s Directorate of Safety, Environment and Certification (DSEC) maintains the necessary database and records for issuing STCW 1995 compliant Certificates.  The requirements under the Jamaican Law is that all seafarers working on Jamaican vessels must be qualified for the duties they will be performing and additionally officers must hold a Jamaican Certificate of Competency or be issued with a Jamaican Endorsement issued on an equivalency basis.  To facilitate this process the MAJ has entered into Reciprocal Recognition agreements with major crewing countries.  The MCA in the United Kingdom has accorded recognition to Jamaican Seafarers’ certification.   All countries listed on the IMO published ‘White List” will be considered for Reciprocal Recognition.  Special ship Registry incentives are offered for the employment of holders of Jamaican Certificates of Competency.


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