Exemption to work in a position without required rights

Dispensation for a specified capacity have been incorporated into the new Act on Ship Crews. Under the Act, the Icelandic Transport Authority may, in exceptional circumstances, gran a dispensation to a person to serve on a particular ship, even if he or she is not qualified, but not for longer than 6 months. The dispensation may only be granted to a person who has a certificate for the capacity immediately below or who has completed the required studies to obtain a certificate for the position for which the exemption is applied for. A dispensation shall not be granted in the capacity of master or chief engineer officer except in circumstances of force majeure and then only for the shortest possible period.

A dispensation may not be granted that violates the provisions of international conventions, e.g. STCW and STCW-F Conventions.

Legal basis

• Act No. 82/2022 on Ship Crews.

• Regulation No. 944/2020 on Certificates of Competency for masters, deck officers and marine engineer officers serving on board fishing vessels, coast guard vessels and other vessels.