STCW 1978 as amended in 2010
STCW 1978 as amended in 2010
Specific Learning Objectives
After completing this topic, you will be able to understand
- Background to STCW
- The Need for Revision
- Overview of the Revised STCW Convention
- Process Review
- International Instruments
- General objectives
- Certification of Fishermen and for High Speed Craft
- STCW Certificate Requirements
- National Legislative and Administrative Framework
The International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping (STCW) for seafarers was adopted with the main purpose to promote safety of life and property at sea, and the protection of Marine environment by establishing a common agreement between the participating countries.
Adoption: 7 July 1978; Entry into force: 28 April 1984 - Major revisions in 1995 and 2010
The STCW convention prescribes minimum standards relating to Training, Certification and Watch keeping for seafarers, which countries are obliged to meet or exceed. It has eight chapters.
- Chapter I: General provisions
- Chapter II: Master and deck department
- Chapter III: Engine department
- Chapter IV: Radio communication and radio personnel
- Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
- Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions
- Chapter VII: Alternative certification
- Chapter VIII: Watch keeping
These broadly cover the following areas:
- Competency of seafarers, with special training requirements for those manning specialized vessels
- Training and certification
- Alternative certification allowing certification in more than one field
- Ensuring continuous monitoring of training and certification procedures and facilities
- Use of simulators in training
- Re-validation of competency certificates
- Prevention of fatigue among watch keepers
- Investigation and disciplinary action against certified personnel endangering safety or the environment
- Exercise of Port State Control to allow intervention in the case of deficiencies
- Use of English as the language of communication
Governments are required to provide detailed information to IMO concerning administrative measures taken to ensure compliance with the convention, education and training courses, certification procedures and other factors. This was the first time IMO was called upon to act in relation to compliance and implementation.
The Convention contains basic requirements which are then elaborated upon and explained in the STCW code. Part A of the code contains the minimum standards of competence required for seagoing personnel and is mandatory, while Part B contains implementation guidelines and is recommended.
STCW 1995 as Amended: STCW was first adopted in 1978. It was amended in 1995. STCW78/95 comprises of two parts. Part A is about the Convention itself and Part B comprises of the STCW Code.
- Part A is mandatory. It requires members to be in compliance with the STCW conventions.
- Part B provides guidelines to how to implement, apply and enforce this Convention so that there is uniformity in application, STCW78 to STCW95 - THE CHANGES MADE
Changes were made to STCW78 in the following areas
- 1991 - Related to GMDSS
- 1994 - Related to special training for Tanker personnel
- 1995 - Related to final acts of STCW
RESPONSIBILITIES OF OPERATORS
STCW95 places responsibilities on operators/owners/companies to ensure that
- Each crew must have relevant certificate
- Ships are manned in compliance with safe manning requirements
- All seafarers' documentation and data are readily available/accessible
- Seafarers are familiar with their duties and equipment relevant to their designation/role they are given
- Ship's complement should be able to work effectively in an emergency, perform functions relevant to the safety of the ship and prevention sea pollution
- Establish and enforce rest periods to prevent fatigue
TRAINING REQUIREMENTS
All seafarers must attend the following Familiarization training
Basic Safety Training
- Personal Survival Technique
- Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
- Elementary First Aid
- Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
Additionally, all officers must attend
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats
- Medical care
For those (officers and ratings) sailing on Tankers
- Fire Fighting
- At least 3 months approved sailing time on tankers OR
- Attend an approved tanker familiarization course
For Master, C/O, C/E and 2/E sailing on tankers
- Advanced Fire Fighting
- Worked on tankers (period specified by Administrations)
- An approved Advanced Tanker Course
STCW 2010
The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted on 25 June 2010, marking a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code. The 2010 amendments entered into force on 1 January 2012.. This is a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code. Among the amendments adopted, the important changes include:
- Improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and strengthen the evaluation process
- Revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers
- New certification requirements for able seafarers
- New requirements relating to training in modern technology such as electronic charts and information systems (ECDIS)
- New requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork
- New training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers
- Updating of competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including new requirements for personnel serving on liquefied gas tankers
- New requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack by pirates
- Introduction of modern training methodology including distance learning and web-based learning
- New training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters
- New training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.
STCW 95 , from IMO, provides more details about the convention and the code.
STCW 2010 issued by International Shipping Federation (ISF), provides a quick look at the Manila Amendments.
Related Statutory Certificates
- Certificate of Competency with endorsements
- Records of Revalidation and Training.
An important feature of the STCW Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party states when visiting ports of states, which are Parties to the Convention. The difficulties, which could arise for ships of states that are not Parties to the Convention, is one reason why the Convention has received such wide acceptance. By December 2000, the STCW Convention had 135 parties, representing 97.53 percent of world shipping tonnage.
