STCW 2010

Nothing moves in this world without sincere and real

effort
 STCW
The International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
 STCW- What brought about it? Evolution

General consensus during that time saw the series

of sea mishaps that after thorough investigation
concluded that attributes pointed to crew
competency and training at a terrible cost to
human lives
Adopted in 1978;entered into force in 1984. Too
general, at the individual administration
interpretation
Still too many vague areas
 STCW- Evolution

SEVERELY LIMITATED
Vague requirements that were left to the discretion
of parties to the Convention.
Increasing problems with:
Ø Standards of competence
Ø IMO oversight of compliance
Ø Port state control inclusion
Ø Provisions for new development

www.hanghaikythuat.tk
 STCW 78

The need for IMO was made more urgent after a close series
of sea mishaps happened with the grounding of the M/V
BRAER in the Shetland Islands on January 5, 1993 .(a month
after the December 3, 1992 M/V AEGEAN SEA incident.)
Two years earlier, in 1990, 158 people had died as a result of
a fire on board the S/S SCANDINAVIAN STAR.
It was also determined that competency and training played a
major role in those incidents
 STCW 1st general amendment 95

SPECIFIC FOCUS now

The noted enhancements:
Greater participation of port state control;
Tasking IMO to allow for mutual oversight and
consistency in application of standards,
Quality standards systems (QSS), oversight of training,
assessment, and certification procedures,
Placement of responsibility on parties, including those
issuing licenses, and flag states employing foreign
nationals, to ensure seafarers meet objective standards of
competence, and
Rest period requirements for watch keeping personnel.
 STCW 2nd Amendment 2010
After convening to tackle new issues and strengthen the
STCW, the 2010 Manila amendments were agreed with a
definitive implementation date, other additions came into
play:
The increasing use of multinational crews.
Ø Responsibility for competency of crews, which once fell only
on flag state administrations, is now spread over all parties that
issue certificates .
Ø Party issuing the original certificate must comply with the
requirements of the Convention, and the flag state may issue a
separate "recognition" certificate only after confirming that the
original certificate was issued in accordance with the
Convention. COE- Certificate of endorsement
 STCW 2nd Amendment 2010

The rapid development of new technology.

Ø Chapters II III of the convention as well as the sections of
Code require now shipping company to participate and
comply
Ø Structure of the Code in the Details of the Competence
tables were made more robust and structured to meet
demand of new technology
 STCW Structure

Structure or format remains the same, but is advantageous to have an

understanding for the reader
The convention as amended in 2010 comprises:
- 17 articles (due to legality) were unchanged. This to make way for the
rapid process of “tacit agreement” of all parties
- Annex of regulations containing legal requirements made into 8
Chapters. Many of the regulations were amended
- STCW Code contains the competence tables many of which were
amended or supplements in 2010
These Code is divided into 2 parts:
- Part A; contains MANDATORY requirements needed to be implemented
and complied by all signatories.
- Part B; contains RECOMMENDATORY guidance which may be
applied
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Direct participation of Shipping companies as defined

in STCW Convention Regulation Regulation I/1
and the code in Section A-I/14 covering:
Ø Appropriate certification
Ø Safe Manning
Ø Refresher Training
Ø Record Keeping
Ø Shipboard Familiarization
Ø Crew Coordination
Ø SOLAS COMMUNICATION
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Responsibilities of Flag state as defined in STCW

Convention and Code covering
Ø All 17 Articles in the Convention
Ø All the 8 Chapters defining regulations in the Convention
Ø All the 8 Chapters defining the Competence tables
Ø All the sections in the Code Parts A and B
Flag state is the sole implementing administration for a
particular party signatory of the STCW Convention as
amended in 2010
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter I of the annex to the convention

and the code
Ø I/1 Definitions- defines and explains key terms used throughout
Ø I/2 Certificates and Endorsements- requires the format and data to be
incorporated in the issued STCW certificates and endorsements
Ø I/3 Principles governing near Coastal Voyages- defines the condition
pertaining to different STCW standards that may apply to such voyages
Ø I/4 Control procedures- provisions to allow Port State inspectors to assess
operational competence of seafarers and may detain ship for non-
compliance to STCW
Ø I/5 National provisions- allowing Flag states to apply penalties to
companies and seafarers for non compliance to STCW requirements
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter I of the annex to the convention

and the code
Ø I/6 Training and assessment- Ensure continued qualification of trainers
and assessors
Ø I/7 Communication of Information- requiring Flag State to submit to IMO
documentary evidence of compliance with the Convention
Ø I/8 Quality Standards- requires the incorporation of a quality standard
system for the STCW and must be subjected to independent evaluation
Ø I/9 Medical Standards- Covering medical fitness for sea duty, minimum
age requirement etc.
Ø I/10 Recognition of Certificates- Flag states responsibilities concerning
competence of foreign seafarers serving or want to serve in that particular
vessel registered to the Flag state
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter I of the annex to the convention

and the code
Ø I/11 Revalidation of Certificates- requirements for Flag state to revalidate
STCW Certificates
Ø I/12 Use of simulators- Mandatory requirements and recommended
guidelines concerning performance standards for simulators
Ø I/13 Conduct of trials- Flag state procedures for the experimentation
conducted under its authority for new practices and technology not
covered in the convention
Ø I/14 Responsibilities of Companies- Explicit requirements mandated to
the shipping companies for compliance
Ø I/15 Transitional Provisions- Arrangement for the full compliance to
STCW 2010 Amendments by 2017
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter II and III of the annex to the

convention and the code
Ø Chapter II- Master and Deck Department; Explicit and detailed standards
of competence for the different levels of responsibility, detailed in the
competency tables as minimum requirements for certification
Ø Chapter III- Engine Department; Explicit and detailed standards of
competence for the different levels of responsibility, detailed in the
competency tables as minimum requirements for certification
Ø Chapter IV- Radio communications and radio operators; Explicit and
detailed standards for GMDSS operators competence detailed in the
competency tables as minimum requirements for certification
Ø Chapter V- Special training requirements for crew on special types of
ships; for personnel on board tankers, passenger ship and offshore supply
vessels
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter II and III of the annex to the

convention and the code
Ø Chapter VI- Emergency, Occupational safety, security, medical care and
survival functions; contains minimum requirements for safety matters for
all categories of personnel except the passengers with basic safety
training. Also for all seafarers with designated safety and pollution
prevention duties. Also contains certification of personnel for security
officers and appropriate security related training and instructions for all
seafarer
Ø Chapter VII- Alternative certification; conditions and principles of
alternative certification that deviate from the convention distinction
between the deck and engine department
 STCW 2010 peculiarities

Contents of Chapter II and III of the annex to the

convention and the code
Ø Chapter VII- Alternative certification; conditions and principles of alternative
certification that deviate from the convention distinction between the deck and
engine department
Ø Chapter VIII- Watch keeping; consolidation of requirements governing the
engine and radio watches, including the mandatory provisions for minimum
rest periods for seafarers and the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse

Flag state is entrusted to mandate the MINIMUM requirements in STCWO as

baseline compliance to all seafarers. Companies requiring more as their policy
does not violate the convention, only when companies operate below the
minimum requirement
 Relation of ISM Code and STCW

Both contains precise requirements concerning the

education and qualification of masters, officers and crew.
ISM Code- description of structure of a Safety
Management System, demanding its development,
implementation and maintenance.
STCW – supplies a legal basis for the uniform fulfilment
of requirements as found in ISM Elements:
Ø Element 6 – Resources & Personnel
Ø Element 7 – Shipboard Operations
Ø Element 8 – Emergency Preparedness.
 STCW 2010

So if you think Education and Training along with

knowledge is an expensive investment,
Try ignorance