International Convention On Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping For Seafarers, 1978

International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 was
adopted on 7 July 1978 and entered into force on 28 April 1984. The main purpose of the Convention is to
promote safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the marine environment by establishing in
common agreement international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.
Amendment Procedure
Amendments to the 1978 STCW Convention's technical Annex may be adopted by a Conference of STCW Parties
or by IMO's Maritime Safety Committee, expanded to include all Contracting Parties, some of whom may not be
members of the Organization.
Amendments to the STCW Annex will normally enter into force one and a half years after being communicated to
all Parties unless, in the meantime, they are rejected by one-third of the Parties or by Parties whose combined
fleets represent 50 per cent of world tonnage.
The STCW Convention & Code 2010 Manila Amendments
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 are set to enter into force on 1 January 2012
under the tacit acceptance procedure and are aimed at bringing the Convention and Code up to date with
developments since they were initially adopted and to enable them to address issues that are anticipated to
emerge in the foreseeable future.

Amongst the amendments adopted, there are a number of important changes to each chapter of the Convention
and Code, including:
 Improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and
strengthen the evaluation process (monitoring of Parties' compliance with the Convention);
 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; and
 New training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.

The STCW Code
The regulations contained in the Convention are supported by sections in the STCW Code. Generally speaking, the
Convention contains basic requirements which are then enlarged upon and explained in the Code.
Part A of the Code is mandatory. The minimum standards of competence required for seagoing personnel are
given in detail in a series of tables. Chapter II of the Code, for example, deals with standards regarding the master
and deck department.
Part B of the Code contains recommended guidance which is intended to help Parties implement the Convention.
The measures suggested are not mandatory and the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain
Convention requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in general represent an
approach that has been harmonized by discussions within IMO and consultation with other international
organizations.

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International Convention On Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping For Seafarers, 1978

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International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and

Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978

 New certification requirements for able seafarers;

 New training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers;

 New training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.

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