The Isle of Man Ship Registry will now be processing applications for endorsements recognising seafarers’ qualifications online.

The Ship Registry processes over 3,000 applications each year for STCW endorsements which are issued to allow seafarers holding internationally recognised certification to sail on Isle of Man registered ships. This latest move will allow crew managers to apply online and submit all supporting documentation electronically, vastly improving the service for crew managers located around the world.

The online service has been tested by two of the Ship Registry’s major clients and has been hailed as a great success. Now that it has passed client testing, the online system will be available to all of the Ship Registry’s customers.

Leonard Singer MHK, the Department’s Member with responsibility for the Ship Registry, commented:

‘This is a great step forward for the Ship Registry. Already recognised as one of the world’s leading ship registers with a reputation for high levels of service, this is another milestone in driving efficiency improvements and further improving the service to international clients. This move to an online process dovetails perfectly with the Department’s commitment to the Island’s digital strategy.’

Dick Welsh, Director of the Isle of Man Ship Registry, said:

‘This next step in our online offering will greatly improve the service for clients by reducing application times and paper usage. Our commitment to continual improvement forms a key element in our ISO 9001 quality system and the benefits of the system will contribute to the Registry’s drive for the environmental management standard, ISO14001. Staff and clients both see great advantages in this online system and it will help us stay ahead of the competition.’