STCW 95.word
STCW 95.word
STCW 95.word
A GUIDE
FOR
SEAFARERS
INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS' FEDERATION
STCW-95:
A GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS
Published by:
The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF) 4 60
Borough Road
London SE1 1DR
UK
ISB o 0 01 6 4
The author gratefully acknowledges the contributions of Chris Young, Mark Dickinson,
Jon Whitlow and Tony Lane for their patient help and comments, Peter Goode and
Marylin Myerscough for proofreading the manuscript, Bill Ansell for contributing to
the original design, and Helen Sampson and Erol Kahveci for generously lending most
of the photos illustrating the Guide (other photos from the ITF archive). Very special
thanks go to Celia Mather and Helena King for producing and designing the final
version of this publication and to Marianne for all her support.
Foreword
This Guide, if read with care, can sufficiently introduce any seafarer
to the essential scope and content of the Convention to allow him or
her to appreciate the importance of the 1 amendments and to
follow up with knowledgeable questions where necessary.
CHRIS YOUNG
CHAIR
SUB-COMMITTEE ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING AND WATCHKEEPING
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (IMO)
Contents page
Section 1:
Introduction to STCW-95 3
The STCW Convention
Layout of the Convention 6
Deadlines to meet
Glossary of terms 8
Section 2:
Certification Requirements 11
Part 1 STCW-95 Certificates 13
Certificates 13
Certification paths 18
General requirements for officers 20
General requirements for ratings 22
Part 2 Certificates and general requirements by rank 27
Master 2
Chief mate 2
Officer in charge of a navigational watch 31
Ratings forming part of a navigational watch 34
Radio operators 3
Chief engineer 36
Second engineer 38
Officer in charge of an engineering watch 40
Ratings forming part of an engineering watch 42
Any other crew member 43
Part 3 0ther certificates 45
For personnel on any type of ship 4
For personnel on tankers 4
For personnel on ro ro passenger ships 48
For personnel on passenger ships other than ro ro 4
Part 4 Training issues 51
Education and training issues 1
Simulator training under STCW 2
English language requirements 2
GMDSS (Global Maritime Distress and Safety System) certificates 3
Medical standards 4
Section 3:
On board requirements 55
Certificates and documentary evidence to be carried on board
Mandatory safety and ship board familiarisation training
On board training and assessment 61
Seagoing service 62
Alcohol and drug consumption 63
Control provisions 64
Penalties 66
Regulations affecting watch keeping personnel duty 6
Section 4:
Implications of STCW-95 for STCW-78 certificate holders 69
Upgrading and revalidation 1
Additional competence requirements under STCW (by rank) 2
Master and deck department 2
Engine department 6
Radio department
Section 5:
Where to find more information on STCW-95 79
Annex A
List of countries Party to STCW 8 as amended in 1 i
Annex e
IMO Circular (MSC/Circ. 18) on guidance for port State control
inspectors in respect of certificates of competence
issued under the provisions of the STCW Convention iii
Annex C
IMO Circular (STW 31/ /1) on follow up actions to the
1 conference extract listing certificates or documentary
evidence required under the STCW Convention iv
Annex D
Summary of requirements (table) v
About this Guide
This Guide is aimed at seafarers of all ranks and nationalities. Its main
purpose is to help you find out how STCW-95 will affect you and explain
how you can benefit from it. Although we have tried to make this Guide as
accurate as possible, you should contact the maritime Administration
issuing your certificate(s) of competency and endorsement(s) for specific
information on the national requirements and deadlines you must meet.
You can read this Guide in any order you wish. Section 1 gives background
information on the STCW-95 Convention, including deadlines to meet, and
provides a brief glossary of terms.
Section 3 deals with the requirements you need to meet once you are on
board. This includes what documentation you must have with you at all
times, ship-specific familiarisation training, training records and sea-going
service. It also covers the regulations on alcohol and drug consumption,
control procedures and penalties. There is also a section applying to
watch- keeping personnel only, officers and ratings, on rest hour
regulations and watch-keeping guidelines.
Section 4 tells you what you need to do to if you are a holder of an STCW-
78 certificate and need to update your certificate to STCW-95. This section
includes tables that summarise by rank the additional competencies you
need to demonstrate to upgrade your certificate.
Finally, Section 5 lists other sources of information you can consult should you
want to know more about STCW-95.
The Convention has already been accepted by 133 countries, including all
major labour suppliers and shipping registries. This number represents
more than 98% of the world's merchant fleet. At the end of this Guide you
will find a list of all countries that are Parties to the Convention and the
dates of acceptance.
The regulations in the Annex should be read in conjunction with the relevant
Section of the STCW Code (Part A). It is a good idea to familiarise yourself with
the Convention. After all, the standards of competence that you are expected
to meet are specified there. A copy of the STCW-95 Convention is normally
kept on board all sea-going merchant ships.
The STCW-95 Convention came into force on 1 February 1997. However, there
is a five-year transitional period, until 1 February 2002 to allow for a phased-
in implementation of the provisions. After February 2002, all seafarers are
required to meet STCW-95 standards. The three important dates to
remember are:
1 February 1997
The STCW-95 Convention comes into force for all countries Party to the
Convention. From 1 February 1997 onwards, requirements for basic safety
training, special training for personnel on certain types of ships (tankers
and ro-ro passengers), and familiarisation instruction when joining a new
ship apply. Regulations covering personnel on board passenger ships
other than ro-ro passengers comes into force in January 1999. Starting
from 1 February 1997 and for a period of five years, until 1 February 2002,
the different regulations contained in the Convention will be phased in.
During this five- year transitional period, a Party may continue to issue
certificates of competency in accordance with its previous practices.
1 August 1998
If you started your sea-going career (sea-going service or maritime
education training) after 1 August 1998, your training and certification must
be in full compliance with STCW-95 requirements. Seafarers who began
their seafaring career before 1 August 1998 have until February 2002 to
comply with STCW-95 requirements.
1 February 2002
Implementation period ends. From February 2002 onwards all seafarers on
active service must comply with all STCW-95 requirements and be in
possession of a valid STCW-95 certificate covering the functions performed
on board.
Note:
In view of difficulties in meeting the February 2002 deadline, the IMO
recommended in January 2002 that Flag States and Port Control authorities
exercise flexibility as not all STCW-78 certificate holders have been able to
revalidate to STCW-95 by the February deadline. Therefore, it has been
agreed that under 'exceptional circumstances' provisions adopted by
maritime administrations might enable seafarers to work aboard on the basis
of STCW-78 certificates until 1 July 2002. Seafarers are advised to consult
with the maritime administration issuing their certificate(s) as some may
adopt shorter or nil periods of dispensation. In any case, there will be no
further leeway after July 2002 for STCW-78 certificate holders.
STCW-95: A GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS
SECTION ONE
Glossary of terms
You need to know the meaning of some basic terms that will be used in
this Guide:
Administration:
The Government of the Party (country) whose flag a ship is entitled to fly. An
Administration deals, among other things, with regulating the training,
education and certification of seafarers in accordance with the requirements
of the Convention.
Approved:
This means that a national maritime Administration has approved a
training programme or seagoing service because it meets the
requirements of the STCW-95 Convention.
Function:
This is a way of classifying shipboard tasks by functions and levels of
responsibility. There are seven functional areas at three different levels of
responsibility. The levels of responsibility are: management level
(applies to senior officers); operational level (applies to junior officers);
and support level (applies to ratings forming part of a navigational or
engine watch). The following table lists the different functions and levels
of responsibility at which the functions can be carried out.
LEVEL OF RESPONSIBIL
FUNCTION
Management Operational Support
Deck Navigation ✓ ✓ ✓
Seagoing service:
Service on board a ship relevant to the issue of a certificate or other
qualification. For example, one of the requirements to qualify as a rating
forming part of a navigational watch is to have approved seagoing service,
including not less than six months' training and experience.
Seagoing ship:
A ship navigating in areas not close to inland or sheltered waters or where
port regulations apply.
Standard of competence:
This term refers to the minimum knowledge, understanding and
proficiency that seafarers must demonstrate to gain certification. The
tables contained in Part A of the STCW Code specify the standards of
competence to be achieved by the seafarer. The thinking behind dividing
all duties on board into competencies, functions, and levels of
responsibility is that certificates should be awarded on the basis of the
specific duties the seafarer carries out on board rather than on ship
departmental divisions (deck/engine).
For the complete tables and full details of standards of competence applying
to the certificates you hold, refer to the STCW Code (Part A) in the STCW-95
Convention.
STCW-95 CERTIFICATES
SECTION TWO
Certificates
The term 'certificates' covers all official documents required under STCW-
95. It includes certificates of competence, endorsements, certificates
of proficiency, special certificates and any documentary evidence
showing that a requirement of the Convention has been met.
Certificates are important as they are the main paper evidence you
have on hand to prove that your level of maritime education and
training, your length of service at sea, your professional competence,
medical fitness and age all comply with STCW-95 standards. Every
Party to the Convention has to ensure that certificates are only issued
to those seafarers who meet STCW standards.
Certificate of competence:
This document is issued to masters, officers, radio operators and
ratings forming part of a watch, who meet the standards of competence
relevant to their particular functions and level of responsibility on
board. The table below indicates the title of the certificates under
STCW-95 and the various limitations and tonnage thresholds that
apply.
Endorsement:
A document issued to masters and officers, either as part of the
certificate or as a separate document. This attests (endorses) that
the national certificate has been issued in accordance with all STCW
requirements.
Endorsement of recognition:
This document is issued by an Administration as an official
recognition of the validity of a certificate issued by another
Administration. This procedure is necessary as many merchant fleets
are manned by seafarers certificated by other Administrations. In
other words, if you hold a certificate from country 'x', but you are
serving on a ship registered in country 'y', then you need to apply to
the maritime Administration of country 'y' for a certificate authorising
you to serve on ships registered under its flag. From February 2002
onwards, all seafarers serving on foreign ships must obtain an
endorsement.
SECTION TWO
take care of all the necessary paperwork and fees. Even though it is
not a requirement of the Convention, there are a number of
Administrations that are now requiring a letter of employment as part of
the documentation necessary to process an application for an
endorsement of recognition.
persons, or cargo.
Documentary evidence:
This is a document which is not necessarily issued or recognised by
the Administration (and is not, therefore, called a certificate).
Documents issued by the shipowner or master of the vessel to attest
that the seafarer has participated in a safety drill or has completed
some type of training (for example familiarisation training) are
examples of documentary evidence. It is important to keep these
documents as they are one of the accepted ways of demonstrating
that you have achieved proficiency in a given task (basic safety
training, for example).
Before you join a ship, make sure you have all the valid certificates
you need to cover the functions you will be performing on board. This
documentary evidence is proof of your competence and will be
subject to inspection by the master, flag State and port State
inspectors.
SECTION TWO
the standards required. The requirements to upgrade a STCW-78
certificate to STCW-95 standards are outlined in Section 4 of this
Guide.
SECTION TWO
SECTION TWO
training before being assigned any shipboard functions. There is no
certificate awarded for this, but a record of the training should be
kept in the ship's official logbook. This requirement applies to any
member of the crew including hotel staff holding officer rank in
passenger ships.
Basic safety training for officers:
Officers serving on any type of ship who are designated with safety
and pollution prevention responsibilities in the operation of the ship,
need basic safety training. Such training must cover personal survival
techniques, basic fire prevention and fire fighting, elementary first
aid, and personal and social responsibilities. This requirement applies
to practically all officers serving on merchant ships. Cadets assigned
with these duties also need to complete basic safety training before
going to sea. Basic safety training should be documented as having
taken place within five years of the officers' being assigned to safety
and pollution prevention duties.
You may be exempted from basic safety training if you have already
completed this training under STCW-78. To find out if this is the case,
contact the Administration issuing your national certificate of
competence. If you are not exempted, you need to complete an approved
training course or provide evidence that you have achieved the
required standards of competence within the previous five years (by
participating in drills and exercises, for example, or assessment by a
qualified assessor). There is no requirement for seafarers to hold an
official certificate of basic training, but it is advisable that you do hold
some form of documentary evidence to show that you have achieved
competence in these functions within the previous 5 years (this may
be in the form of record of drills or letters from a training centre).
SECTION TWO
vice-versa).
2. Keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing (covers the
responsibilities of a look-out including reporting the approximate
bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in degrees or
points).
3. Contribute to monitoring and controlling a safe watch (covers
shipboard terms and definitions, use of internal communication
and alarm systems, have the ability to understand orders and to
communicate with the officer of the watch in matters relevant to
watch-keeping duties, be familiar with the procedures for the relief,
maintenance and hand-over of a watch, the information required to
maintain a safe watch and basic environmental protection
procedures).
4. Operate emergency equipment and apply emergency procedures
(covers knowledge of emergency duties and alarm signals,
knowledge of pyrotechnic distress signals, satellite EPIRB's and
SARTS, avoidance of false distress alerts and action to be taken in
the event of accidental activation).
SECTION TWO
required to have an endorsement of recognition when serving on ships
registered under the flag of another country. However, the
Administrations of some foreign countries require and issue
endorsements for ratings forming part of a watch and other certificates
relating to specific functions (tanker training, for example). Ask your
employer (shipowner or manning agent), or the respective
Administration directly to find out whether you need to obtain an
endorsement of recognition. In some cases, an endorsement of
recognition for a specialised certificate will only be issued if the
training has been completed at a training centre approved by the
Administration of the foreign country. Again, if in doubt, ask the
Administration for any requirements in this respect.
You may be exempted from basic safety training if you have already
completed this training under STCW-78. To find out if this is the case,
contact the Administration issuing your national certificate of
competence. If you are not exempt, you need to complete an
approved training course or provide evidence that you have attained
the required standards of competence within the previous five years
(by participating in drills and exercises, for example, or assessment
by a qualified assessor). There is no requirement for seafarers to hold
an official certificate of basic training, but it is advisable that you
possess some form of documentary evidence to show that you have
attained competence in these functions within the previous 5 years
(record of drills or letters from a training centre).
SECTION TWO
Master
NAME OF CERTIFICATE REVALIDATION
REG.
* Certificate not required, only evidence of having achieved competence within previous
five years.
** Training conducted on board ship before being assigned to shipboard duties.
1
Endorsement or documentary proof that it is being processed (validity 3 months).
Endorsements required by all flag States from February 2002.
2
In force from February 1997 for all seafarers in charge of radio duties on a GMDSS
equipped ship. From 1 February 2002 mandatory for all deck officers and any other
persons performing radio duties.
NAME OF CERTIFICATE
REVALIDATION
REG.
SECTION TWO
C
GMDSS2 and endorsement Yes IV/2 T
I
O
Basic safety training* Achieved within VI/1 N
- Personal survival techniques previous 5 years
T
- Fire prevention and fire-fighting W
- Elementary first aid
- Personal safety and social responsibility O
Medical First Aid* No VI/4
* Certificate not required, only evidence of having achieved competence within previous 5 years.
** Training conducted on board ship before being assigned to shipboard duties.
1
Endorsement or documentary proof that it is being processed (validity 3 months).
Endorsements required by all flag States from February 2002.
2
In force from 1 February 1997 for all seafarers in charge of radio duties on GMDSS
equipped ship. From 1 February 2002 mandatory for all deck officers and any other
person performing radio duties.
SECTION TWO
Flag State endorsement of recognition1 Yes I/10
SECTION TWO
a) Age: be not less than 18 years of age
b) Seagoing service: have completed special training, including an
appropriate period of seagoing service as required by the
Administration, or approved seagoing service in the deck
department of not less than three years.
c) Radio duties: meet the applicable requirements of the regulations
in chapter IV (GMDSS), as appropriate, for performing
designated radio duties in accordance with the Radio
Regulations.
d) Education & Training: have completed a period of approved
education and training and meet the standard of competence
specified in section A-II/3 of the STCW Code for officers in
charge of a navigational watch on ships of less than 500 gross
tonnage engaged in near-coastal voyages.
SECTION TWO
- Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC)
and endorsement
The type of certificate required depends
on whether you are serving on a ship
trading in a GMDSS zone A1 (coastal) or
GMDSS A2 and A3 (deep-sea)
For radio personnel on ships not required Yes
to comply with GMDSS:- National
certificate of competence (ITU Radio
Regulations) and endorsement
SECTION TWO
certification as an officer in charge of an engineering watch and
have not less than 36 months' approved seagoing service, of
which not less than 12 months shall have been served as an
engineer officer in a position of responsibility while qualified
to serve as second engineer officer.
b) Education & Training: have completed approved education and
training and meet the standard of competence specified in
section A-III/2 of the STCW Code.
SECTION TWO
certification as an officer in charge of an engineering watch and
have not less than 12 months' approved seagoing service as
assistant engineer officer or engineer officer.
b) Education & Training: have completed approved education and
training and meet the standard of competence specified in
section A-III/2 of the STCW Code.
SECTION TWO
a) Age: be not less than 18 years of age.
b) Seagoing service: have completed not less than six months'
seagoing service in the engine department in accordance with
section A-III/1 of the STCW Code.
c) Education & Training: have completed approved education and
training of at least 30 months which includes onboard training.
This must be documented in an approved training record book
and meet the standards of competence specified in section A-
III/1 of the STCW Code.
* Certificate not required, only evidence of having achieved competence in previous years.
** Training conducted on board ship before being assigned to shipboard duties.
SECTION TWO
Basic safety familiarisation On assignment ** VI/1
OTHER CERTIFICATES
ACCORDING TO FUNCTION PERFORMED
ON BOARD AND TYPE OF VESSEL
SECTION TWO
For personnel on any type of ship
SECTION TWO
Tanker familiarisation course or three No V/1
months' approved seagoing service on
tankers
REG.
SECTION TWO
REG.
REG.
TRAINING ISSUES
SECTION TWO
All training programmes and assessments provided in connection with
an STCW-95 certificate need to comply with STCW-95 standards and
must be approved by the respective Administration. The competence
tables contained in the STCW Code (Part A) provide information on
what should be included in the teaching programme, the criteria by
which competence is assessed, and what standard of ability the
student performing that competence needs to demonstrate. These
regulations apply to training given both on board and ashore.
SECTION TWO
to radio-communication duties on deep-sea ships operating
beyond VHF coast station coverage.
2 The Restricted Operator's Certificate (ROC), for personnel on
board ships operating only in sea areas within VHF coverage
(coastal areas).
Since 1st February 1999, GMDSS has been mandatory for all ocean-
going passenger ships (carrying more than 12 passengers) and cargo
ships of 300 gross tonnage and upwards on international voyages. This
requirement has been interpreted, however, in different ways. Some
Parties require all officers on board GMDSS ships to hold a GMDSS
certificate, while others require only one or two persons on board to
have this qualification. Whichever interpretation applies, from 1
February 2002 all seafarers performing navigation duties at
operational and management levels (master and officers), and any
other person assigned to radio- communication duties, need to hold a
GMDSS certificate. Most ship owners and Parties are already enforcing
this requirement for all masters and deck officers on GMDSS ships.
If you meet the medical standards, you will be issued with a medical
certificate. This certificate is subject to revalidation at least every 5
years. If you want to know more about the medical standards that
apply to you, the examination procedures and revalidation
requirements, contact the Administration that issued your
certificate.
The certificates and any other documentary evidence you hold are
official proof of your competency. Before joining a ship, it is your
duty, and that of your employer, to check that you hold the correct
certificates. Once on board, the master and inspectors from port and
SECTION THREE
flag state authorities will check your documentation. If during the
course of these inspections they find that you do not hold the
appropriate certificates, or that these have expired, you will
probably be discharged until you complete the training required
and/or the certificates required have been revalidated. In many cases
this is a cause for your employer to terminate your contract.
Note: Remember to check the expiry date on all of the above certificates
and documents as expired certificates are not valid for service on
board .
Every time you join a new ship you need to undergo the basic safety
familiarisation and ship-specific familiarisation training.
SECTION THREE
e) identify escape
f) ) locate and don life jackets
g) use fire extinguishers
h) take immediate action upon encountering an accident or
other medical emergency
i) operate fire, weather-tight and watertight doors fitted in the
particular ship other than those for hull openings.
If you are still not satisfied with the answer, raise the issue with the
person in charge of fleet management in the shipping company's
office. According to the International Safety Management Code (ISM)
there should always be a person in the shipping company's head office
designated to deal with safety queries (including STCW).
SECTION THREE
the specific tasks that should be completed by the student while
he/she is at sea to demonstrate that competency has been achieved. All
trainee officers must document their on-board training in a training
record book.
If you are applying for any of the following certificates you will need to
meet minimum seagoing service requirements (for details see Section
2, Part 2): master, chief mate, officer in charge of a navigational watch,
SECTION THREE
You can gain approved seagoing service on any type of ship as long as
your duties on board are relevant to the certificate you are applying
for. For example, if you intend to apply for a certificate as an officer
in charge of a navigational watch, you will need to have approved
seagoing service in the deck department. Although there are no
specific requirements stating the size or propulsion power of the ships
in which you are obtaining your seagoing service time, these should
be adequate to the certificate being issued. You should contact the
maritime Administration from which you intend to obtain the
certificate to check if there are any minimum limitations in size or
tonnage to obtain approved seagoing service.
When signing off the ship, the seagoing service time is written in your
discharge book and this will be stamped and signed by the master of
the ship. It will include dates and port of joining and leaving ship. If
it does not include particulars of the ship (tonnage, propulsion power,
flag, call sign), it might be worth making note of these and keeping
them in a separate record in case you are required to provide them
later on to the Administration.
SECTION THREE
going on watch. Some Parties have already adopted policies to
enforce maximum blood-alcohol levels, similar to those applying to
road drivers.
The enforcers include seafarers, the Parties (acting as flag States and
port States), the IMO, and shipping companies.
By far the best enforcers are seafarers. After all there is a lot to gain if
proper standards are maintained. Any accident occurring on board affects
seafarers in one way or another, and maintaining high standards of
competence is an effective way of preventing accidents and providing
a safe working environment for all.
SECTION THREE
effective compliance to the Convention, its name will be removed.
Similarly, new countries may be added if they meet the criteria for
inclusion.
The importance of this for you is that if a Party included in the White
List issues your certificate, then this is accepted as proof that you
meet STCW- 95 standards in all respects. This may be an advantage if
you are applying for endorsements of recognition or seeking employment
in the international fleet. It may even make the visit of the port State
Inspector that much shorter.
Any Party not included on the initial White List will have to correct
STCW-95: A GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS
the deficiencies identified by the IMO before it can be recognised as
having fully implemented the Convention.
Those who breach the Convention will face penalties and disciplinary
measures ranging from cancellation of certificates to the imposition
of heavy fines, not to mention job loss.
The following two regulations apply only to officers and ratings who are
part of a navigational, engine room or radio watch.
SECTION THREE
emergencies, drills or overriding operational conditions. The 10 hour
rest period can be reduced to not less than 6 consecutive hours
provided such reduction does not extend beyond 2 days and not less
than 70 hours of rest are provided each
7 day period. A summary of the rest hour regulations is given in the
following table (the shaded areas indicate the mandatory hours of
any 24 hour period
In
8 hours duty 6 hours rest 6 hours duty 4 hours rest
rest).
or
10
14 hours
hours rest
duty
or (for a maximum of 2 consecutive days as long as not less than 70
The master has direct responsibility for ensuring that all watch-
keeping principles and arrangements are adhered to at all times and
under all circumstances. However, he or she can only be successful
SECTION THREE
From 1 February 2002, STCW-78 certificates are no longer valid for service
aboard ships of Administrations party to the Convention. Under
'exceptional circumstances' some Administrations may decide to give a
short dispensation, until 1 July 2002, to allow seafarers to revalidate their
certificates (see page 7).
You should also remember that from 1 February 1997 onwards, all STCW-78
certificate holders must satisfy competence requirements if either of the
following applies:
SECTION FOUR
1. If you serve on specialised types of ships (tankers, ro-ro passenger
ships, other passenger ships) or
2. If you are responsible for emergency, occupational safety, medical
care or survival functions on any type of ship. Basic safety training
applies to all seafarers.
Note:
If you update an STCW-78 certificate to STCW-95 standards, the tonnage
limitations change from '200 gross registered tons' to '500 gross tonnage',
and from '1,600 registered tons' to '3,000 gross tonnage'.
The rest of this section shows which additional requirements are included in
STCW-95 which were not required under STCW-78. To upgrade an STCW-78
certificate to STCW-95 standards, you will need to prove competence in these
tasks. The tables are organised by rank within each shipboard division.
5. Transmit and receive information using GMDSS and fulfil its functional
requirements if in charge or performing radio duties on a ship
required to participate in GMDSS.
6. Monitor compliance with legislative requirements.
SECTION FOUR
navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more and have
36 months' approved seagoing service in that capacity.
Note:
1. The level of theoretical knowledge, understanding and
proficiency may be lower than that required for service on
ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or more.
2. The level of knowledge shall be sufficient to enable the
candidate to serve in the capacity of master or chief mate.
SECTION FOUR
Radio department
SECTION FOUR
1. Transmit and receive information using GMDSS sub systems and
equipment.
2. Fulfilling the functional requirements of GMDSS.
3. Provide GMDSS radio services in emergencies.
• www.uscg.mil
• www.natinst.org
• www.imo.org
• www.sea-man.com
• www.shipping.pages.com
• www.hal-pc.org/nugent/index.html
• www.amsa.gov.au
SECTION FIVE
At the end of this Guide we are also including a copy of two IMO
circulars clarifying some of the requirements prescribed by STCW-95.
These may prove valuable if you come across Port State inspectors
misinterpreting the actual requirements set by the Convention.
4 The Committee also noted that the Kingdom of the Netherlands had approved the
necessary legislation for the implementation of the STCW Convention, as amended, in
respect of the Netherlands Antilles and Aruba and that a suitable footnote had been
added to the annex to this circular to include them in the list.
I:\CIRC\MSC\1018.doc
MSC/Circ.1018 -2-
.1 not all of the STCW Parties listed at annex provide seafarer training, and some
of those Parties listed may only provide a limited range of training; and
.2 the fact that a Party is listed in the annex does not relieve those concerned of
their obligations under the STCW Convention
***
I:\CIRC\MSC\1018.doc
MSC/Circ.1018
ANNEX
I:\CIRC\MSC\1018.doc
ANNEX C
INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION MSC/Circ.918
4th June 1999
4 Albert
Embankment
LONDON SE1 7SR
Tel:0171-735-7611
Fax: 0171-587-3210
Ref: T2/4.1.3
1. The Maritime Safety Committee, as its seventy-first session (19 May-28 May
1999), noted that certain clarifications were necessary for the guidance of port State
control officers concerning the transitional provisions of the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW), 1978.
2. Member Governments are invited to inform their port State control officers that:
.1 until 1 Feb 2002, valid certificates of competency and endorsements issued
or recognised by a Party in accordance with the relevant provisions of the
STCW Convention which were in force immediately prior to 1 Feb 1997
remain valid, subject to STCW regulation 1/15;
.2 until 1 Feb 2002, seafarers holding valid certificates issued in accordance
with the relevant provisions of the STCW Convention which were in force
immediately prior to 1 Feb 1977 by the Party which found them qualified
are not required by the STCW Convention to hold, in addition, certificates
or endorsements issued by the Government of the flag which the ship on
which they are serving is entitled to fly;
.3 on or after 1 Feb 2002, all certificates of competency and endorsements
issued to seafarers are required to comply with the provisions of the STCW
Convention, as amended; and
.4 seafarers are not required to hold certificates as evidence of basic training
in order to comply with regulation VI/1 because the evidence required by
section A-VI/1 is not considered to be a certificate.
3. Member Governments are reminded of the guidance issued under
STCW.7/Circ.1 and invited to bring the contents of this circular to the attention of
all concerned, especially port State control officers.
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ANNEX D
Table B-1/9-2
UNDER
The list below identifies THE STCW
all certificates or documentary evidence in the Convention
which authorize the CONVENTION
holder to serve in certain functions on board ships. The
certificates are subject to the requirements of regulation 1/2 regarding language
and their availability in original form. The list also references the relevant
regulations and the requirements for endorsement and registration (regulation 1/9).
* Records of all certificates should be maintained in accordance with regulation I/9, paragraph 4.
** The Party issuing or endorsing the certificate is responsible for maintaining a register or registers in
accordance with regulation I/9.4.1. However, records may be maintained by an agency or entity acting
under its authority.
I:\STW\31\5-1.doc
ANNEX E
Summary of requirements
Note: The certificate(s) a seafarer needs to hold depends on the function(s) and level of responsibility held on board. The table below is just a guide indicating what are the likely certificates required by rank according to common shipboard work practices.
To find out the exact requirements that apply, readers are strongly advised to refer to section 2 in this guide, to the STCW Convention and to the maritime Administrations of both the country issuing the certificate(s) and, if different, of the flag State of
the ship where the seafarer intends to work.
Cadet (deck/engine)
Officer of the watch
Steward/messboy
Second engineer
Deckboy/trainee
Oiler/motorman
STCW-95 title
Chief steward /
Fitter/Mechanic
category
Radio Operator
providing direct
STCW-78 title
Cook/2nd cook
Chief engineer
OS/GP/welder
All personnel
Chief officer
passengers
Electrician
Pumpman
service to
Master
purser
Bosun
Wiper
AB
Certificate of competency Same title * * * A * * *
Endorsement Same title * * * * * *
main certificate Watchkeeping certificate for ratings New requirement * *
Endorsement of recognition (if on foreign New requirement * * * * * * *
flag)
Medical fitness certificate Medical certificate * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
catering Certificate of qualification as cook Same title *
Personal survival techniques Basic sea survival * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
basic saftey Fire fighting 2 days fire fighting * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
training Elementary first aid Basic first aid * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
evidence Personal safety and social responsibility New requirement * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
familiarisation Ship-specific familiarisation New requirement * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boat CPSC lifeboat * * * D * * * D * *
personnel Fast rescue boat Fast rescue boat D D D D D D D D
assigned with Advanced fire fighting 4 day firefighting D D D D D D
other safety Medical first aid First aid at sea * * * *
functions Medical care Ship captain's medical * *
ARPA (if fitted) New (simulator * * *
ARPA, RADAR, training)
GMDSS Radar New (simulator * * *
training)
GMDSS-ROC or GOC - (see note) New requirement * * * *
Shore-based fire-fighting course New requirement * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Tanker familiarisation Same title
(or 3 months approved service on tankers) * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
personnel on Tanker specialised Same title * * * * *
tankers COW (if fitted) Same title * * * * * * * * *
Chemical tanker Same title * * * * *
Liquefied gas tanker Same title * * * * *
Crowd management New requirement D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
personnel on Familiarisation training ro-ro New requirement D
* * * * * * * * * *
ro-ro Safety training New requirement * *
passenger Passenger safety, cargo safety, hull New requirement * * * * * D
ships integrity
Crisis management and human behaviour New requirement * * * * D
Crowd management New requirement D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D D
personnel on
Familiarisation training New requirement * * * * * * * * * * D
passenger Safety training New requirement * *
ships other Passenger safety New requirement * * * * D
than ro-ro Crisis management and human behaviour New requirement * * * * D
training Training record book New requirement *
Key: *= compulsory requirement ; D = if designated with specific function; A (radio operator): radio personnel on non-GMDSS ships need to hold certificates as per the Radio Regulations.
GMDSS: compulsory if serving on a ship required to participate in GMDSS.