Standards of Training Certification and

Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

Asst. Prof. Dr. Burak ZİNCİR

What is STCW?

• The open form of STCW is the International Convention on Standarts of

Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It is a convention
for training, certification and watchkeeping standards.

• The convention was adopted by the International Conference on Training

and Certification of Seafarers on 7 July 1978.

• The 1978 STCW Convention entered into force on 28 April 1984. Since
then, amendments thereto have been adopted in 1991, 1994, 1995, 1997,
1998, 2004, 2006, 2010, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2018.
The amendments to STCW

The STCW Code contains:

1. part A, mandatory provisions to which specific reference is made in the

annex to the STCW Convention and which give, in detail, the minimum
standards required to be maintained by Parties in order to give full and
complete effect to the provisions of the STCW Convention; and,

2. part B, recommended guidance to assist Parties to the STCW

Convention and those involved in implementing, applying or enforcing
its measures to give the STCW Convention full and complete effect in a
uniform manner.
STCW Code Chapters

1. Chapter I: General provisions

2. Chapter II: Master and deck department

3. Chapter III: Engine department

4. Chapter IV: Radiocommunication and radio operators

5. Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships

6. Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival
functions,

7. Chapter VII: Alternative certification

8. Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping

Chapter I : General provisions

Section A-I/1 Definitions and clarifications

.1 Standard of competence means the level of proficiency to be achieved for the

proper performance of functions on board ship in accordance with the
internationally agreed criteria as set forth herein and incorporating prescribed
standards or levels of knowledge, understanding and demonstrated skill

.2 Management level means the level of responsibility associated with:

.2.1 serving as master, chief mate, chief engineer officer or second engineer
officer on board a seagoing ship, and

.2.2 ensuring that all functions within the designated area of responsibility are
properly performed
Chapter I : General provisions

Section A-I/1 Definitions and clarifications

.3 Operational level means the level of responsibility associated with:

.3.1 serving as officer in charge of a navigational or engineering watch or as

designated duty engineer for periodically unmanned machinery spaces or as
radio operator on board a seagoing ship, and

.3.2 maintaining direct control over the performance of all functions within the
designated area of responsibility in accordance with proper procedures and
under the direction of an individual serving in the management level for that
area of responsibility

.4 Support level means the level of responsibility associated with performing

assigned tasks, duties or responsibilities on board a seagoing ship under the
direction of an individual serving in the operational or management level
Chapter I : General provisions

Section A-I/2 Certificates and endorsements

Section A-I/3 Principles governing near-coastal voyages

Section A-I/4 Control procedures

Section A-I/5 National provisions

Section A-I/6 Training and assessment

Section A-I/7 Communication of information

Section A-I/8 Quality Standards

Section A-I/9 Medical standards

Chapter I : General provisions

Section A-I/10 Recognition of certificates

Section A-I/11 Revalidation of certificates

Section A-I/12 Standards governing the use of simulators

Section A-I/13 Conduct of trials (no provisions)

Section A-I/14 Responsibilities of companies

Section A-I/15 Transitional provisions (no provisions)

Section A-I/16 Verification of compliance

Chapter II : Standards regarding the master and deck
department

Section A-II/1 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in

charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more

Section A-II/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of masters and

chief mates on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more

Section A-II/3 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in

charge of a navigational watch and of masters on ships of less than 500 gross
tonnage, engaged on near-coastal voyages

Section A-II/4 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings

forming part of a navigational watch

Section A-II/5 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as able

seafarer deck
Chapter III : Standards regarding engine department

Section A-III/1 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in

charge of an engineering watch in a manned engine-room or as designated duty
engineers in a periodically unmanned engine-room

Section A-III/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of chief

engineer officers and second engineer officers on ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of 3000 kW propulsion power or more

Section A-III/3 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of chief

engineer officers and second engineer officers on ships powered by main
propulsion machinery of between 750 kW and 3000 kW propulsion power

Section A-III/4 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings

forming part of a watch in a manned engine-room or designated to perform duties
in a periodically unmanned engine-room
Chapter III : Standards regarding engine department

Section A-III/5 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as

able seafarer engine in a manned engine-room or designated to perform duties in
a periodically unmanned engine-room

Section A-III/6 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of electro-

technical officers

Section A-III/7 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of electro-

technical rating
Chapter IV : Standards regarding radio operators

Section A-IV/1 Application (no provisions)

Section A-IV/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of GMDSS radio

operators
Chapter V : Standards regarding special training
requirements for personnel on certain types of ships

Section A-V/1-1 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and

qualifications of masters, officers and ratings on oil and chemical tankers

Section A-V/1-2 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and

qualifications of masters, officers and ratings on liquefied gas tankers

Section A-V/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and

qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships

Section A-V/3 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and

qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to
the IGF Code

Section A-V/4 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and

qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters
Chapter VI : Standards regarding emergency, occupational
safety, security, medical care and survival functions

Section A-VI/1 Mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic

training and instructions for all seafarers

Section A-VI/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of

proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats and fast rescue boats

Section A-VI/3 Mandatory minimum training in advanced fire fighting

Section A-VI/4 Mandatory minimum requirements related to medical first aid and
medical care

Section A-VI/5 Mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of

proficiency for ship security officers

Section A-VI/6 Mandatory minimum requirements for security-related training and

instruction for all seafarers
Chapter VII : Standards regarding alternative
certification

Section A-VII/1 Issue of alternative certificates

Section A-VII/2 Certification of seafarers

Section A-VII/3 Principles governing the issue of alternative certificates (no

provisions)
Chapter VIII : Standards regarding watchkeeping

Section A-VIII/1 Fitness for duty

Section A-VIII/2 Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed

Watchkeeping Principles in General

• Watches shall be carried out based on the following bridge and engine-room
resource management principles:

.1 proper arrangements for watchkeeping personnel shall be ensured in

accordance with the situations;

.2 any limitation in qualifications or fitness of individuals shall be taken

into account when deploying watchkeeping personnel;

.3 understanding of watchkeeping personnel regarding their individual

roles, responsibility and team roles shall be established;

.4 the master, chief engineer officer and officer in charge of watch duties
shall maintain a proper watch, making the most effective use of the
resources available, such as information, installations/equipment and
other personnel;
Watchkeeping Principles in General

.5 watchkeeping personnel shall understand functions and operation of

installations/equipment, and be familiar with handling them;

6 watchkeeping personnel shall understand information and how to

respond to information from each station/installation/equipment;

.7 information from the stations/installations/equipment shall be

appropriately shared by all the watchkeeping personnel;

.8 watchkeeping personnel shall maintain an exchange of appropriate

communication in any situation; and

.9 watchkeeping personnel shall notify the master/chief engineer

officer/officer in charge of watch duties without any hesitation when in
any doubt as to what action to take in the interest of safety.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch is the chief engineer officer’s
representative and is primarily responsible, at all times, for the safe and efficient
operation and upkeep of machinery affecting the safety of the ship and is
responsible for the inspection, operation and testing, as required, of all
machinery and equipment under the responsibility of the engineering watch.

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall not hand over the watch to
the relieving officer if there is reason to believe that the latter is obviously not
capable of carrying out the watchkeeping duties effectively, in which case the
chief engineer officer shall be notified.

• The relieving officer of the engineering watch shall ensure that the members of
the relieving engineering watch are apparently fully capable of performing their
duties effectively.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

Taking over the watch:

• Prior to taking over the engineering watch, relieving officers shall satisfy
themselves regarding at least the following:

.1 the standing orders and special instructions of the chief engineer officer
relating to the operation of the ship’s systems and machinery;

.2 the nature of all work being performed on machinery and systems, the
personnel involved and potential hazards;

.3 the level and, where applicable, the condition of water or residues in

bilges, ballast tanks, slop tanks, reserve tanks, fresh water tanks, sewage
tanks and any special requirements for use or disposal of the contents
thereof;
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

.4 the condition and level of fuel in the reserve tanks, settling tank, day
tank and other fuel storage facilities;

.5 any special requirements relating to sanitary system disposals;

.6 condition and mode of operation of the various main and auxiliary

systems, including the electrical power distribution system;

.7 where applicable, the condition of monitoring and control console

equipment, and which equipment is being operated manually;

.8 where applicable, the condition and mode of operation of automatic

boiler controls such as flame safeguard control systems, limit control
systems, combustion control systems, fuel-supply control systems and
other equipment related to the operation of steam boilers;
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

.9 any potentially adverse conditions resulting from bad weather, ice, or

contaminated or shallow water;

.10 any special modes of operation dictated by equipment failure or

adverse ship conditions;

.11 the reports of engine-room ratings relating to their assigned duties;

.12 the availability of fire-fighting appliances; and

.13 the state of completion of the engine-room log.

Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

Performing the engineering watch:

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall ensure that the established
watchkeeping arrangements are maintained and that, under direction, engine-
room ratings.

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall continue to be responsible

for machinery-space operations, despite the presence of the chief engineer
officer in the machinery spaces, until specifically informed that the chief
engineer officer has assumed that responsibility and this is mutually
understood.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• All members of the engineering watch shall be familiar with their assigned
watchkeeping duties. In addition, every member shall, with respect to the ship
they are serving in, have knowledge of:

.1 the use of appropriate internal communication systems;

.2 the escape routes from machinery spaces;

.3 the engine-room alarm systems and be able to distinguish between the

various alarms, with special reference to the fire-extinguishing media
alarm; and

.4 the number, location and types of fire-fighting equipment and damage-

control gear in the machinery spaces, together with their use and the
various safety precautions to be observed.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• Any machinery not functioning properly, expected to malfunction or requiring

special service shall be noted along with any action already taken.

• When the machinery spaces are in the manned condition, the officer in charge
of the engineering watch shall at all times be readily capable of operating the
propulsion equipment in response to needs for changes in direction or speed.

• When the machinery spaces are in the periodic unmanned condition, the
designated duty officer in charge of the engineering watch shall be immediately
available and on call to attend the machinery spaces.

• All bridge orders shall be promptly executed. Changes in direction or speed of

the main propulsion units shall be recorded. The officer in charge of the
engineering watch shall ensure that the main propulsion unit controls, when in
the manual mode of operation, are continuously attended under stand-by or
manoeuvring conditions.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• Due attention shall be paid to the ongoing maintenance and support of all
machinery, including mechanical, electrical, electronic, hydraulic and pneumatic
systems, their control apparatus and associated safety equipment, all
accommodation service systems equipment and the recording of stores and spare
gear usage.

• The chief engineer officer shall ensure that the officer in charge of the engineering
watch is informed of all preventive maintenance, damage control, or repair
operations to be performed during the engineering watch. The officer in charge of
the engineering watch shall be responsible for the isolation, bypassing and
adjustment of all machinery under the responsibility of the engineering watch that
is to be worked on, and shall record all work carried out.

• When the engine-room is put in a stand-by condition, the officer in charge of the
engineering watch shall ensure that all machinery and equipment which may be
used during manoeuvring is in a state of immediate readiness and that an
adequate reserve of power is available for steering gear and other requirements.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• Officers in charge of an engineering watch shall not be assigned or undertake

any duties which would interfere with their supervisory duties in respect of the
main propulsion system and auxiliary equipment. They shall keep the main
propulsion plant and auxiliary systems under constant supervision until properly
relieved, and shall periodically inspect the machinery in their charge.

• They shall also ensure that adequate rounds of the machinery and steering-gear
spaces are made for the purpose of observing and reporting equipment
malfunctions or breakdowns, performing or directing routine adjustments,
required upkeep and any other necessary tasks.

• Officers in charge of an engineering watch shall direct any other member of the
engineering watch to inform them of potentially hazardous conditions which
may adversely affect the machinery or jeopardize the safety of life or of the ship.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall take the action necessary to
contain the effects of damage resulting from equipment breakdown, fire,
flooding, rupture, collision, stranding, or other cause.

• Before going off duty, the officer in charge of the engineering watch shall ensure
that all events related to the main and auxiliary machinery which have occurred
during the engineering watch are suitably recorded.

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall ensure that any engine-
room ratings who perform maintenance duties are available to assist in the
manual operation of machinery in the event of automatic equipment failure.

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall give the watchkeeping
personnel all appropriate instructions and information which will ensure the
keeping of a safe engineering watch.
Principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch

• The officer in charge of the engineering watch shall notify the chief engineer officer
without delay:

.1 when engine damage or a malfunction occurs which may be such as to

endanger the safe operation of the ship;

.2 when any malfunction occurs which, it is believed, may cause damage or

breakdown of propulsion machinery, auxiliary machinery or monitoring
and governing systems; and

.3 in any emergency or if in any doubt as to what decision or measures to

take.

• Despite the requirement to notify the chief engineer officer in the foregoing
circumstances, the officer in charge of the engineering watch shall not hesitate to
take immediate action for the safety of the ship, its machinery and crew where
circumstances require.