Artikel I/8

1. A certificate of competency or of service in a capacity for which this Convention requires a certificate and which before entry into force of the Convention for a Party is issued in accordance with the laws of that Party or the Radio Regulations shall be recognized as valid for service after entry into force of the Convention for that Party.
2. After the entry into force of the Convention for a Party, it may continue to issue certificates of competency in accordance with its previous practices for a period not exceeding five years. Such certificates shall be recognized as valid for the purpose of the Convention. During this transitional period, such certificates shall be issued only to persons who had commenced their sea service before entry into force of the Convention for that Party within the specific vessel department to which those certificates relate. The Party shall ensure that all other candidates for certification shall be examined and certificated in accordance with the Convention.
3. A Party may, within two years after entry into force of the Convention for that Party, issue a certificate of service to fishing vessel personnel who hold neither an appropriate certificate under the Convention nor a certificate of competency issued under its laws before entry into force of the Convention for that Party but who have:
.1 served in the capacity for which they seek a certificate of service for not less than three years at sea within the last seven years preceding entry into force of the Convention for that Party;
.2 produced evidence that they have performed that service satisfactorily; and
.3 satisfied the Party as to medical fitness, including eyesight and hearing, taking into account their age at the time of application.
For the purpose of the Convention, a certificate of service issued under this paragraph shall be regarded as the equivalent of a certificate issued under the Convention.