The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 sets qualification standards for masters,
officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships. STCW was adopted in 1978
by conference at the International Maritime Organization in London, and
entered into force in 1984. The Convention was significantly amended in
1995. The 1978 STCW Convention was the first
to establish basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping
for seafarers on an international level. Previously the standards of training,
certification and watchkeeping of officers and ratings were established by
individual governments, usually without reference to practices in other
countries. As a result, standards and procedures varied widely, even though
shipping is extremely international by nature.
The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training,
certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to
meet or exceed. The Convention did not deal with manning
levels: IMO provisions in this area are covered by regulation 14 of Chapter V of
the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, whose
requirements are backed up by resolution A.890(21) Principles of safe manning,
adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1999, which replaced an earlier resolution
A.481(XII) adopted in 1981. One especially important feature of the
Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party States when visiting ports
of States which are Parties to the Convention. Article X requires Parties
to apply the control measures to ships of all flags to the extent necessary to
ensure that no more favourable treatment is given to ships entitled to fly the
flag of a State which is not a Party than is given to ships entitled to fly
the flag of a State that is a Party. The difficulties which could arise for
ships of States which are not Parties to the Convention is one reason why the
Convention has received such wide acceptance. By 2014, the STCW Convention
had 158 Parties, representing 98.8 per cent of world shipping tonnage.
1995 revision On 7 July 1995 the IMO adopted a
comprehensive revision of STCW. It also included a proposal to develop a new
STCW Code, which would contain the technical details associated with
provisions of the Convention. The amendments entered force on 1 February
1997. Full implementation was required by 1 February 2002. Mariners already
holding licenses had the option to renew those licenses in accordance with the
old rules of the 1978 Convention during the period ending on 1 February 2002.
Mariners entering training programs after 1 August 1998 are required to meet
the competency standards of the new 1995 Amendments.
The most significant amendments concerned:
a) enhancement of port state control; b) communication of information to IMO
to allow for mutual oversight and consistency in application of standards,
c) quality standards systems, oversight of training, assessment, and
certification procedures, The Amendments require that seafarers be
provided with "familiarization training" and "basic safety training" which
includes fire prevention & fire fighting, elementary first aid, personal
survival techniques, and personal safety and social responsibility. This training
is intended to ensure that seafarers are aware of the hazards of working on a
vessel and can respond appropriately in an emergency.
d) placement of responsibility on parties, including those issuing
licenses, and flag states employing foreign nationals, to ensure seafarers
meet objective standards of competence, and
e) rest period requirements for watchkeeping personnel.
Manila Amendments The IMO Convention on Standards of
Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers adopted a new set of
amendments in Manila in 2010 called "The Manila Amendments". These amendments
were necessary to keep training standards in line with new technological
and operational requirements that require new shipboard competencies. The
Manila Amendments were effective as of 1 January 2012. There is a transition
period until 2017 when all seafarers must be certified and trained according
to the new standards. Implementation is progressive, every year a modified set
of requirements comes into force. The most significant amendments are:
New rest hours for seafarers New grades of certificates of competence
for Able seaman in both deck and engine New and updated training, refreshing
requirements Mandatory security training
Additional medical standards Specific Alcohol limits in blood or
breath. STCW-F Convention
On 7 July 1995, the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel was adopted as
a separate treaty as part of the comprehensive revisions to STCW. It
applies the principles of STCW to fishing vessels from ratifying states
that are 24 metres in length and above. STCW-F came into force on 29 September
2012. Notes
References IMO information regarding STCW
US Coast Guard information regarding STCW