UPCOMING CHANGES TO CHAPTER II OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND TRAINING FOR SEAFARERS (STCW) By Capt I G Sangameswar Senior Assistant Director (Training Standards) Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore

Background Info:  STCW Convention 1978 (came into force in 1984) was first attempt to establish global standards for training and certification.  However, not achieving intended purpose.  STCW reviewed – by diplomatic conference in 1995 – came into force Feb result outcome based standards of competence.  STW 38 (Jan 06) – planted idea of another comprehensive review to meet challenges of the shipping industry.

Principles for the review  Retain existing structure and goals.  Not to scale down standards.  Limited to Annex (i.e. only technical provisions & not Articles of the Convention).  Address inconsistencies & outdated provisions.  Address effective communications.  Provide flexibility in terms of compliance – cater for innovations in technology.  Address special character of short sea, offshore industry.  Security related issues.

Amendments to Regulations  Reg II/1, Reg II/2 & II/3   Meet the standard of competence specified in paragraphs 1, 2, 3 and 4 of section A-VI/2 (PSCRB), section A-VI/3 (AFF) and paragraphs 1, 2 and 3 of section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code (Medical First Aid – Medical care).   New Regulation II/5 - Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings as able seafarer deck.

Glimpse of proposed amendments – Table A-II/1 - OOW  Function: Navigation at Operational level.  Competence:- Maintain a Safe Navigation Watch.  KUP:- including  KUP:- Knowledge of bridge resource management principles, including allocation, assignment, & prioritization of Resources.   Effective communications.   Assertiveness and leadership.   Obtaining and maintaining situational awareness.

Table A-II/1 - OOW  Function:  Function: Navigation at the operational level  Competence:-  Competence:- Use of ECDIS to maintain the safety of navigation  KUP:- (1)  KUP:- (1) Knowledge of the capability and limitations of ECDIS operations including: ENC data, data format, display of options, performance standards.   (2) Proficiency in operation, interpretation, and analysis of information obtained from ECDIS.

Table A-II/1 - OOW  OTHER KUP:-  (1)  (1). Importance of proactive measures to protect the marine environment.   (2) The use of information from navigational equipment for maintaining a safe navigational watch.   (3) Knowledge of blind pilotage techniques.   (4) The use of reporting in accordance with the General Principles for Ship Reporting Systems and VTS procedures.

Methods for demonstrating competence:-  Examination and assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:-  (1) approved in-service experience  (2) approved training ship experience  (3) approved simulator training, where appropriate  (4) approved laboratory equipment training

Proposed amendments to Table A II/2 (Masters & Chief Mates)  Function:  Function: Controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at management level.  Competence:-  Competence:- Use of Leadership & managerial skill.  KUP:- (1)  KUP:- (1) Ability to apply Task & Workload Management principles.  (2)  (2) Knowledge and ability to apply effective resource management.  (3)  (3) Knowledge and ability to apply decision making techniques.  (4)  (4) Development, implementation, & oversight of SOPs.

Amendments to Table A II/2  Function:  Function: Navigation at management level  Competence:-  Competence:- Maintain the safety of navigation through the use of ECDIS and associated navigation systems to assist command decision making.  KUP:- (1)  KUP:- (1) Management of operational procedures, system files and data.  (2)  (2) Use ECDIS playback functionality for passage review, route planning and review of system functions.

Other Amendments to Competence & KUPs in Table A II/2   Reporting in accordance with the General principles for Ship Reporting Systems and VTS procedures.   Maintain safe navigation through the use of information from navigation equipment and systems to assist command decision making.

Proposed amendments to Table A II/3 (Masters & Ch Mates <500 GT)  Function:  Function: Navigation at the operational level  Competence:-  Competence:- Plan and conduct a coastal passage and determine position.  KUP:- (1)  KUP:- (1) Thorough knowledge of and ability to use ECDIS.  (2)  (2) Voyage planning and navigation for all conditions by acceptable methods of plotting coastal tracks, taking into account, meteorological factors, restricted visibility, tidal effects TSS, VTS areas. (This KUP for masters only.

New Table A II/5 (AB Deck)   Function: Navigation at the support level.   Competences:- Contribute to:  (1)  (1) a safe navigational watch.  (2)  (2) berthing, anchoring & other mooring operations.  (3)  (3) the handling of cargo and stores.  (4)  (4) the safe operation of deck equipment and machinery.

New Table A II/5 (AB Deck) - Ctd   Competences:-  (5)  (5) Apply occupational health and safety precautions.  (6)  (6) Apply precautions and contribute to the prevention of pollution of the marine environment.  (7)  (7) Operate survival craft and rescue boats.  (8)  (8) Contribute to shipboard maintenance and repair.

Amendments in Other Areas  Chapter V – Training and endorsements for serving on Tankers.  Chapter VI- Security related training. Special fire- fighting training for tanker crews.  Chapter VIII - Rest periods - fatigue prevention, watch keeping principles to comply with BRM principles, using ECDIS, keeping anchor watches and prevention of drug and alcohol abuse.  Code B – Special training for navigating in ice bound regions.

CONCLUSIONS  MORE TRAINING FOR CREW – FOR EXAMPLE IN USE OF ECDIS, IBS, & NAV AIDS.  ENHANCED TRAINING ON SOFT SKILLS - TRAINING ON RESOURCE MANAGEMENT AT OOW AND MANAGERIAL SKILLS AT SENIOR LEVELS  SIMULATION & MODERN TECHNIQUES AND SOFT SKILLS SPECIALISTS WILL BECOME MORE IMPORTANT TO IMPART SUCH TRAINING.  Thank you