1. LATIN AMERICAN PANEL LIMA, PERU SEPTEMBER 13-14, 2010
REVISION OF THE STCW CONVENTION
JOE ANGELO
DEPUTY MANAGING DIRECTOR

2. STCW CONVENTION
INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION FOR STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS (STCW)
- International requirements for training and certifying seafarers and watchkeeping standards
- First developed and adopted in 1978
- Underwent major revision in 1995 (addition of STCW Code)
- Second major revision initiated in 2006
- Adopted in June 2010 (Manila Amendments)

3. STCW CONVENTION MAJOR ELEMENTS OF STCW
Articles – contain Administrative requirements
Regulations – contain general regulatory requirements
STCW Code – contains two elements
- Part A – mandatory detailed requirements which supplement the Regulations
- Part B – non-mandatory recommendations which provide guidance on the Regulations and/or Part A of the Code

4. MAJOR BENEFITS OF REVISION
Certificates of Competency and endorsements to be issued only by Administration - thereby reducing the possibility of fraudulent practices associated with issue of certificates of competency.
Common medical standards for seafarers - seafarers from one country can serve on board ships of another country without undergoing another medical exam.
Revalidation requirements rationalized for the benefit of the seafarer.
Training in modern technology introduced i.e. ECDIS for deck officers.
Engineer training updated to include emerging and modern engineering concepts. 

5. MAJOR BENEFITS OF REVISION
Training and certification requirements for electro-technical officer introduced.
Training and certification requirements for Able seafarer deck and engine included in the Convention. Thereby having all training requirements set out in one international instrument.
Updated competency standards for personnel serving on board different types of tankers introduced.
Training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters.
Training guidance for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning Systems.

6. MAJOR BENEFITS OF REVISION
New training requirements for marine environment awareness and training in leadership and teamwork.
Safety and security training requirements separated to avoid confusion.
Training guidance for seafarers relating to action to be taken when sailing in piracy infested waters.
Introduction of modern training methodology i.e. distance learning and web based learning.
Hours of rest harmonized with the requirements of ILO Maritime Labor Convention (2006) with a view to reducing fatigue.
Requirements introduced to avoid alcohol and substance abuse.

7. MAIN ISSUES Chapter I – General Provisions
Regulation I/2 – Only Administrations to issue certificates of competency and maintain electronic database to assist in the verification of authenticity and validity of certificates of competency
Regulation I/3 – near coastal voyage requirements made more clear, including principals governing such voyages and entering “into an undertaking” with the Parties concerned (flag and coastal states) specifying the details of both involved trading areas and other relevant conditions
Regulation I/6 – Guidance on e-learning

8. MAIN ISSUES Chapter I – General Provisions
Regulation I/9 – Medical standards updated, but controversial Table on “Assessment of minimum entry level and in-service physical abilities for seafarers” was not made mandatory
- 2 year - medical certificate; 1 year – medical certificate for persons under 18 yrs of age
- Mandatory eye-sight standards
- Standards for the assessment of physical abilities
- Flexibility on the application of standards – issuance of waivers
- Procedures for appeals

9. MAIN ISSUES Chapter I – General Provisions
Regulation I/11 – revalidation requirements made more rational and includes revalidation requirements for tanker endorsements
- Revalidation may be established with 3 mos. of service in the preceding 6 mos.
- Continued professional competence for tankers through service or by completing approve training
Regulation I/14 – companies responsible for refresher training of seafarers on their ships
- Requirement to ensure that seafarers receive refresher and updating training
- Requirement for effective communication on board

10. MAIN ISSUES Chapter I – General Provisions
Regulation I/15 – Transitional arrangements - five years from date of entry into force
- Entry into force – January 2012
- Will vary depending on the date the person entered the training institution or started service
- January 1, 2017 – Transitional date for existing mariners who commenced training/sea service prior to July 1, 2013.
- January 1, 2017 – Revalidate/renew certificates for existing mariners

11. DECK DEPARTMENT Chapter II – Master and deck department
Replacement of training in Decca and Loran with generic requirements for electronic position fixing
Celestial navigation
Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) training
Leadership and managerial skills
Marine environment awareness
Bridge resource management training
New regulation II/5 – Able Seafarer (deck)

12. ENGINE DEPARTMENT Chapter III – Engine department
Competence tables for engineers updated to meet emerging and contemporary technologies
Leadership and managerial skills
Engine room resource management
Marine environment awareness
New regulation III/5 – Able Seafarer (engine)
Training for electro-technical officers and able seafarer (electro-technical)
Use of simulator training to assess boiler competence for ratings

13. MAIN ISSUES Chapter IV – Radiocommunications and radio operators
No major changes

14. SPECIAL TRAINING
Chapter V – Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
Competency requirements for personnel serving on board different types of tankers
Comprehensive requirements for training for personnel serving on board different types of passenger ships
Guidance on training of masters and officers for ships operating in polar waters
Guidance regarding training and qualification of masters and officers in charge of a navigational watch on board offshore supply vessels
Guidance on training and experience for personnel operating Dynamic Positioning systems

15. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
Mariners shall hold a certificate of proficiency in accordance with their responsibilities on board the tankers
Mariners must meet the appropriate standards of competence in Section A-V/1
Requirements based on tanker types
- Oil,
- Chemical, and
- Liquefied gas

16. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
General requirements - Two types of training
Basic training - Officers and ratings assigned specific duties and responsibilities related to cargo or cargo equipment on tankers
Advanced training - Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for loading, discharging, care in transit, handling of cargo, tank cleaning or other cargo-related operations

17. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
Basic training - Oil and chemical tankers
At least three months of approved seagoing service on oil or chemical tankers; or
An approved basic training for oil or chemical tanker cargo operations.

18. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
Advance training – Oil tankers
- At least three months of approved seagoing service on oil tankers, or
- At least one month of approved onboard training on oil tankers, in a supernumerary capacity, which includes at least three loading and three unloading operations
Advance training – Chemical tankers
- At least three months of approved seagoing service on chemical tankers, or
- At least one month of approved onboard training on chemical tankers, in a supernumerary capacity, which includes at least three loading and three unloading operations

19. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
Basic training – Liquefied gas tankers
- At least three months of approved seagoing service on liquefied gas tankers; or
- An approved basic training for liquefied gas tanker cargo operations
Advance training – Liquefied gas tankers
- At least three months of approved seagoing service on liquefied gas tankers, or
- At least one month of approved onboard training on liquefied gas tankers, in a supernumerary capacity, which includes at least three loading and three unloading operations

20. TANKERS CHAPTER V - Requirements for tankers
Standards of competency under Section A-V/1
Ability to safely perform and monitor all cargo operations
Familiarity with physical and chemical properties of oil cargoes
Take precautions to prevent hazards
Apply occupational health and safety precautions
Respond to emergencies
Take precautions to prevent pollution of the environment
Monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements

21. MAIN ISSUES
Chapter VI – Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions
Proof of continued professional competence every five years
- Assessment of competence “ASHORE” for areas that cannot be trained on board, i.e. Advanced firefighting rescue boats, etc.
- In service experience, drills and on/board training for other areas
Security related training are kept separate from those related to safety training
Piracy awareness training included
Requirements for demonstrating continued competence in basic safety training including Environmental pollution and Fatigue awareness

22. MAIN ISSUES
Chapter VII – Alternate certificates
No major changes

23. HOURS OF REST CHAPTER VIII – Watchkeeping
Section A-VIII-1 Fitness for duty
• Rest periods of not less than 10 hours in any 24 hour period and 77 hours in any seven day period
No more than two rest periods, one of which must be at least six hours; and
Intervals of no more than 14 hours between rest periods
Exceptions in cases of emergency and overriding operational conditions, i.e. safety of ship, giving assistance to others in distress

24. HOURS OF REST Administrations may allow exceptions provided
Reduction in minimum rest hours to 70 in a seven day period, but for a maximum of two weeks and a gap of twice the period of exception before there is any further exception
Increase in rest periods from two to three - one of at least 6 hours and the others no less than one hour
Interval between rest periods no more than 14 hours
Only applicable for two days in any seven day period

25. DRUG AND ALCOHOL CHAPTER VIII – Watchkeeping
Section A-VIII-1 Fitness for duty
Each Administration shall establish, for the purpose of preventing alcohol abuse:
- a limit of not greater than 0.05% blood alcohol level (BAC) or 0.25 mg/liter alcohol in the breath; or - a quantity of alcohol leading to such alcohol concentration
for masters, officers and other seafarers while performing designated safety, security and marine environmental duties.
Drug and alcohol abuse prevention should take into account the guidance contained in the ILO publication Drug and Alcohol Prevention Programmes in the Maritime Industry

26. EFFECTIVE DATES Entry into force JANUARY 1, 2012
Fully implemented JANUARY 1, 2017

27. CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS
Development of guidelines to implement international standards of medical fitness for seafarers
Attracting new entrants and retaining seafarers for the maritime profession
Promotion of the participation of women in the maritime industry
Accommodation for trainees
Verification of certificates of competency and endorsements
Standards of training and certification and ships’ manning levels

28. MUCHAS
GRACIAS!