International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978

Adoption: 7 July 1978 Entr into force: 28 April 1984

The 1995 amendments, which completely revised the onvention

, entered into !orce on 1 "e#ruary 1997$

1995 %T &, as amended 'etails o! the ori(inal 1978 onvention

The 1995 amendments ) ma*or revision +nsurin( compliance with the onvention ,ort %tate control 1995 amendments ) chapters --, ---, -. 1995 amendments / hapter .: %pecial trainin( re0uirements !or personnel on certain types o! ships 1995 amendments / hapter .-: +mer(ency, occupational sa!ety, medical care and survival !unctions 1995 amendments / hapter .--: Alternative certi!ication 1995 amendments / hapter .---: &atch1eepin( The %T & ode The 1997 Amendments ) trainin( !or crew on passen(er ships The 1998 Amendments ) trainin( !or crew on #ul1 carriers The 4&hite 5ist4

The 2223 amendments / ship security o!!icers, !ast rescue #oats

The 199! a"end"ents Adoption: 7 July 1995 Entr into force: 1 "e#ruary 1997 The 1995 amendments, adopted #y a on!erence, represented a ma*or revision o! the onvention, in response to a reco(ni6ed need to #rin( the onvention up to date and to respond to critics who pointed out the many va(ue phrases, such as 4to the satis!action o! the Administration4, which resulted in di!!erent interpretations #ein( made$ 7thers complained that the onvention was never uni!ormly applied and did not impose any strict o#li(ations on ,arties re(ardin( implementation$ The 1995

amendments entered into !orce on 1 "e#ruary 1997$ 8owever, until 1 "e#ruary 2222, ,arties may continue to issue, reco(ni6e and endorse certi!icates which applied #e!ore that date in respect o! sea!arers who #e(an trainin( or sea(oin( service #e!ore 1 Au(ust 1998$ 7ne o! the ma*or !eatures o! the revision was the division o! the technical anne9 into re(ulations, divided into hapters as #e!ore, and a new %T & ode, to which many technical re(ulations have #een trans!erred$ ,art A o! the ode is mandatory while ,art : is recommended$ 'ividin( the re(ulations up in this way ma1es administration easier and it also ma1es the tas1 o! revisin( and updatin( them more simple: !or procedural and le(al reasons there is no need to call a !ull con!erence to ma1e chan(es to odes$ %ome o! the most important amendments adopted #y the on!erence concern Chapter I # $eneral %rovisions$ They include the !ollowin(: Ens&ring co"pliance 'ith the Convention ,arties to the onvention are re0uired to provide detailed in!ormation to -;7 concernin( administrative measures ta1en to ensure compliance with the onvention$ This represented the !irst time that -;7 had #een called upon to act in relation to compliance and implementation / (enerally, implementation is down to the !la( %tates, while port %tate control also acts to ensure compliance$ <nder hapter -, re(ulation -=7 o! the revised onvention, ,arties are re0uired to provide detailed in!ormation to -;7 concernin( administrative measures ta1en to ensure compliance with the onvention, education and trainin( courses, certi!ication procedures and other !actors relevant to implementation$ :y 1 A&g&st 1998 / the deadline !or su#mission o! in!ormation esta#lished in section A/-=7 o! the %T & ode / 82 out o! the 1>> %T & ,arties had communicated in!ormation on compliance with the re0uirements o! the revised onvention$ The 82 ,arties which met the deadline represent well over 92? o! the world@s ships and sea!arers$ The in!ormation is reviewed #y panels o! competent persons, nominated #y ,arties to the %T & onvention, who report on their !indin(s to the -;7 %ecretary/ Aeneral, who, in turn, reports to the ;aritime %a!ety ommittee B;% C on the ,arties which !ully comply$ The ;% then produces a list o! ,arties in compliance with the 1995 amendments$ The !irst list o! countries was approved #y the ;% at its 7>rd session held !rom 27 Dovem#er to 3 'ecem#er 2222 ) it included 71 countries and one Associate ;em#er o! -;7$

%ort State control The revised hapter - includes enhanced procedures concernin( the e9ercise o! port %tate to allow intervention in the case o! de!iciencies deemed to pose a dan(er to persons, property or the environment Bre(ulation -=4C$ This can ta1e place i! certi!icates are not in order or i! the ship is involved in a collision or (roundin(, i! there is an ille(al dischar(e o! su#stances Bcausin( pollutionC or i! the ship is manoeuvred in an erratic or unsa!e manner, etc$ 7ther re(ulations in chapter - include: ;easures are introduced !or watch1eepin( personnel to prevent !ati(ue$ ,arties are re0uired to esta#lish procedures !or investi(atin( acts #y persons to whom they have issued certi!icates that endan(er sa!ety or the environment$ ,enalties and other disciplinary measures must #e prescri#ed and en!orced where the onvention is not complied with$ Technical innovations, such as the use o! simulators !or trainin( and assessment purposes have #een reco(ni6ed$ %imulators are mandatory !or trainin( in the use o! radar and automatic radar plottin( aids Bre(ulation -=12 and section A/-=12 o! the %T & odeC$ ,arties are re0uired to ensure that trainin(, certi!ication and other procedures are continuously monitored #y means o! a 0uality standards system Bre(ulation -=8C$ +very master, o!!icer and radio operator are re0uired at intervals not e9ceedin( !ive years to meet the !itness standards and the levels o! pro!essional competence contained in %ection A/-=11 o! the %T & ode$ -n order to assess the need !or revalidation o! certi!icates a!ter 1 "e#ruary 2222, ,arties must compare the standards o! competence previously re0uired with those speci!ied in the appropriate certi!icate in part A o! the %T & ode$ -! necessary, the holders o! certi!icates may #e re0uired to under(o trainin( or re!resher courses Bre(ulation -=11C$ Chapter II: (aster and deck depart"ent The hapter was revised and updated$ Chapter III: Engine depart"ent The hapter was revised and updated$ hapter I): *adioco""&nication and radio personnel

The

hapter was revised and updated$

Chapter ): Special training re+&ire"ents for personnel on certain t pes of ships %pecial re0uirements were introduced concernin( the trainin( and 0uali!ications o! personnel on #oard ro/ro passen(er ships$ ,reviously the only special re0uirements in the onvention concerned crews on tan1ers$ This chan(e was made in response to proposals made #y the ,anel o! +9perts set up to loo1 into ro/ ro sa!ety !ollowin( the capsi6e and sin1in( o! the !erry Estonia in %eptem#er 1994$ rews on ro/ro !erries have to receive trainin( in technical aspects and also in crowd and crisis mana(ement and human #ehaviour$ Chapter )I: E"ergenc , occ&pational safet , "edical care and s&rvival f&nctions The hapter incorporates the previous hapter .-: ,ro!iciency in survival cra!t and includes mandatory minimum re0uirements !or !amiliari6ation, #asic sa!ety trainin( and instruction !or all sea!arersE mandatory minimum re0uirements !or the issue o! certi!icates o! pro!iciency in survival cra!t, rescue #oats and !ast rescue #oatsE mandatory minimum re0uirements !or trainin( in advanced !ire!i(htin(E and mandatory minimum re0uirements relatin( to medical !irst aid and medical care$ Chapter )II: Alternative certification Fe(ulations re(ardin( alternative certi!ication Balso 1nown as the !unctional approachC are included in a new hapter .--$ This involves ena#lin( crews to (ain trainin( and certi!ication in various departments o! sea!arin( rather than #ein( con!ined to one #ranch Bsuch as dec1 or en(ine roomC !or their entire career$Althou(h it is a relatively new concept, the 1995 on!erence was an9ious not to prevent its development$ At the same time, the new hapter is intended to ensure that sa!ety and the environment are not threatened in any way$ The use o! e0uivalent educational and trainin( arran(ements is permitted under article -G$ Chapter )III: Watchkeeping ;easures were introduced !or watch1eepin( personnel to prevent !ati(ue$ Administrations are re0uired to esta#lish and en!orce rest periods !or watch1eepin( personnel and to ensure that watch systems are so arran(ed that the e!!iciency o! watch1eepin( personnel is not impaired #y !ati(ue$ The STCW Code The re(ulations contained in the onvention are supported #y sections in the %T & ode$ Aenerally spea1in(, the onvention contains #asic re0uirements which are then enlar(ed upon and e9plained in the ode$

%art A o! the ode is mandatory$ The minimum standards o! competence re0uired !or sea(oin( personnel are (iven in detail in a series o! ta#les$ hapter -- o! the ode, !or e9ample, deals with standards re(ardin( the master and dec1 department$ %art , o! the ode contains recommended (uidance which is intended to help ,arties implement the onvention$ The measures su((ested are not mandatory and the e9amples (iven are only intended to illustrate how certain onvention re0uirements may #e complied with$ 8owever, the recommendations in (eneral represent an approach that has #een harmoni6ed #y discussions within -;7 and consultation with other international or(ani6ations$ The 1997 A"end"ents Adoption: June 1997 Entr into force: 1 January 1999 The amendments concern trainin( !or personnel on passen(er ships$ The amendments include an additional *eg&lation )-. in hapter . on ;andatory minimum re0uirements !or the trainin( and 0uali!ications o! masters, o!!icers, ratin(s and other personnel on passen(er ships other than ro/ro passen(er ships$ Felated additions are also made to the %T & ode, coverin( rowd mana(ement trainin(E "amiliari6ation trainin(E %a!ety trainin( !or personnel providin( direct service to passen(ers in passen(er spacesE ,assen(er sa!etyE and risis mana(ement and human #ehaviour trainin($ The 1998 A"end"ents Adoption: 9 'ecem#er 1998 Entr into force: 1 January 222> Amendments to the %T & ode are aimed at improvin( minimum standards o! competence o! crews, in particular relatin( to car(o securin(, loadin( and unloadin( on #ul1 carriers, since these procedures have the potential to put undue stresses on the ship@s structure$ The amendments concern sections A/--=1 and A/ --=2 under 4 ar(o handlin( and stowa(e at the operational and mana(ement levels4$ The /001 a"end"ents Adoption: ;ay 2223 Entr into force: 1 January 2228 The amendments add new minimum mandatory trainin( and certi!ication re0uirements !or persons to #e desi(nated as ship security o!!icers B%%7sC$ The amendments to the %T & onvention and to parts A and : o! the %T & ode

include Fe0uirements !or the issue o! certi!icates o! pro!iciency !or %hip %ecurity 7!!icersE %peci!ications o! minimum standards o! pro!iciency !or ship security o!!icersE and Auidance re(ardin( trainin( !or %hip %ecurity 7!!icers$ "urther amendments to part A o! the %T & ode add additional trainin( re0uirements !or the launchin( and recovery o! !ast rescue #oats$ The amendments have #een prepared in response to reports o! in*uries to sea!arers in numerous incidents involvin( the launchin( and recovery o! !ast rescue #oats in adverse weather conditions$

The White 2ist The !irst so/called H&hite 5istI o! countries deemed to #e (ivin( H!ull and complete e!!ectI to the revised %T & onvention B%T & 95C was pu#lished #y -;7 !ollowin( the 7>rd session o! the 7r(ani6ationJs ;aritime %a!ety ommittee B;% C, meetin( !rom 27 Dovem#er to 3 'ecem#er 2222$ -t is e9pected that ships !lyin( !la(s o! countries that are not on the &hite 5ist will #e increasin(ly tar(eted #y ,ort %tate ontrol inspectors$ A "la( state ,arty that is on the &hite 5ist may, as a matter o! policy, elect not to accept sea!arers with certi!icates issued #y non &hite 5ist countries !or service on its ships$ -! it does accept such sea!arers, they will #e re0uired #y 1 "e#ruary 2222 also to have an endorsement, issued #y the !la( state, to show that their certi!icate is reco(ni6ed #y the !la( state$ :y 1 "e#ruary 2222, masters and o!!icers should hold %T & 95 certi!icates or endorsements issued #y the !la( %tate$ erti!icates issued and endorsed under the provisions o! the 1978 %T & onvention will #e valid until their e9piry date$ The list will #e 1ept under review and may #e added to as other countries meet the criteria !or inclusion$ 5atest list o! con!irmed ,arties$

The The The The The The The The The

1978 %T & onvention ) -ntroduction 1978 onvention ) hapter -: Aeneral provisions 1978 onvention ) hapter --: ;aster/dec1 department 1978 onvention ) hapter ---: +n(ine department 1978 onvention ) hapter -.: Fadio department 1978 onvention ) hapter .: %pecial re0uirements !or tan1ers 1978 onvention ) hapter .-: ,ro!iciency in survival cra!tFesolutions adopted #y the 1978 1991 amendments ) A;'%% 1994 amendments ) tan1er crews

on!erenceAmendment ,rocedure

The 1978 STCW Convention 3 Introd&ction The 1978 %T & onvention was the !irst to esta#lish #asic re0uirements on trainin(, certi!ication and watch1eepin( !or sea!arers on an international level$ ,reviously the standards o! trainin(, certi!ication and watch1eepin( o! o!!icers and ratin(s were esta#lished #y individual (overnments, usually without re!erence to practices in other countries$ As a result standards and procedures varied widely, even thou(h shippin( is the most international o! all industries$ The onvention prescri#es minimum standards relatin( to trainin(, certi!ication and watch1eepin( !or sea!arers which countries are o#li(ed to meet or e9ceed$ The onvention did not deal with mannin( levels: -;7 provisions in this area are covered #y a re(ulation in hapter . o! the -nternational onvention !or the %a!ety o! 5i!e at %ea B%75A%C, 1974, whose re0uirements are #ac1ed up #y resolution A$892B21C ,rinciples o! sa!e mannin(, adopted #y the -;7 Assem#ly in 1999, as amended #y Fesolution A$955B2>C Amendments to the ,rinciples o! %a!e ;annin( BFesolution A$892B21CC$ The Articles o! the onvention include re0uirements relatin( to issues surroundin( certi!ication and port %tate control$ 7ne especially important !eature o! the onvention is that it applies to ships o! non/party %tates when visitin( ports o! %tates which are ,arties to the onvention$ Article G re0uires ,arties to apply the control measures to ships o! all !la(s to the e9tent necessary to ensure that no more !avoura#le treatment is (iven to ships entitled to !ly the !la( o! a %tate which is not a ,arty than is (iven to ships entitled to !ly the !la( o! a %tate that is a ,arty$ The di!!iculties which could arise !or ships o! %tates which are not ,arties to the onvention is one reason why the onvention has received such wide acceptance$ :y 'ecem#er 2222, the %T & onvention had 1>5 ,arties, representin( 97$5> percent o! world shippin( tonna(e$ The 1978 Convention 3 Chapter I The technical provisions o! the 1978 onvention are contained in an Anne9, divided into si9 hapters: The 1978 Convention # Chapter I:$eneral provisions -ncludes a list o! de!initions o! terms used in the anne9$ Fe(ulation -=2 deals with the content o! the certi!icate and endorsement !orm$ All certi!icates must include a translation into +n(lish, i! that is not the o!!icial lan(ua(e o! the issuin( country$ The 1978 Convention # Chapter II: (aster#deck depart"ent

The hapter esta#lishes #asic principles to #e o#served in 1eepin( a navi(ational watch, coverin( such matters as watch arran(ements, !itness !or duty, navi(ation, navi(ational e0uipment, navi(ational duties and responsi#ilities, the duties o! the loo1/out, navi(ation with a pilot on #oard and protection o! the marine environment$ The re(ulations include mandatory minimum re0uirements !or certi!icatin( masters and chie! matesE !or certi!ication o! o!!icers in char(e o! a navi(ational watchE and !or certi!ication o! dec1 ratin(s !ormin( part o! a navi(ational watch$ The re(ulations also include #asic principles to #e o#served in 1eepin( watch in port and mandatory minimum re0uirements !or a watch in port on ships carryin( ha6ardous car(o$ The 1978 Convention # Chapter III: Engine depart"ent -ncludes #asic principles to #e o#served in 1eepin( an en(ineerin( watchE mandatory minimum re0uirements !or certi!ication o! chie! en(ineer o!!icers and second en(ineer o!!icersE mandatory minimum re0uirements !or certi!ication o! en(ineer o!!icers in char(e o! a watch in a traditionally manned en(ine room or desi(nated duty o!!icers in a periodically unmanned en(ine roomE re0uirements to ensure the continued pro!iciency and updatin( o! 1nowled(e !or en(ineer o!!icersE mandatory minimum re0uirements !or ratin(s !ormin( part o! an en(ine room watch$ The 1978 Convention # Chapter I): *adio depart"ent Dotes that mandatory provisions relatin( to radio watch1eepin( are set !orth in the -T< Fadio Fe(ulations and sa!ety radio watch1eepin( and maintenance provisions are included in the same re(ulations and in %75A%$ The hapter in %T & includes mandatory minimum re0uirements !or certi!ication o! radio o!!icersE provisions desi(ned to ensure the continued pro!iciency and updatin( o! 1nowled(e o! radio o!!icersE and minimum re0uirements !or certi!ication o! radiotelephone operators$ The 1978 Convention # Chapter ): Special re+&ire"ents for tankers The hapter was desi(ned to ensure that o!!icers and ratin(s who are to have speci!ic duties related to the car(o and car(o e0uipment o! tan1ers shall have completed an appropriate shore/#ased !ire/!i(htin( courseE and have completed either an appropriate period o! ship#oard service or an approved !amiliari6ation course$ Fe0uirements are more strin(ent !or masters and senior o!!icers$ Attention is paid not only to sa!ety aspects #ut also to pollution prevention$ The hapter contains three re(ulations dealin( with oil tan1ers, chemical tan1ers and li0ue!ied (as tan1ers, respectively$ The 1978 Convention # Chapter )I: %roficienc in s&rvival craft The hapter esta#lishes re0uirements (overnin( the issuin( o! certi!icates o!

pro!iciency in survival cra!t$ An appendi9 lists the minimum 1nowled(e re0uired !or the issue o! certi!icates o! pro!iciency$ *esol&tions adopted 4 the 1978 Conference The 1978 on!erence which adopted the %T & onvention also adopted a num#er o! resolutions desi(ned to #ac1 up the onvention itsel!$ The resolutions, which are recommendatory rather than mandatory, incorporate more details than some o! the onvention re(ulations$ *esol&tion 1 # ,asic principles to 4e o4served in keeping a navigational 'atch5 An anne9 contains a recommendation on operational (uidance !or o!!icers in char(e o! a navi(ational watch$ *esol&tion / # 6perational g&idance for engineer officers in charge of an engineering 'atch5 An anne9 to the resolution deals with en(ineerin( watch underway and at an unsheltered anchora(e$ *esol&tion . # %rinciples and operational g&idance for deck officers in charge of a 'atch in port5 'etailed recommendations are contained in an anne9$ *esol&tion 7 # %rinciples and operational g&idance for engineer officers in charge of an engineering 'atch in port5 Fecommendations are in an anne9$ *esol&tion ! # ,asic g&idelines and operational g&idance relating to safet radio 'atchkeeping and "aintenance for radio officers5 A comprehensive anne9 is divided into #asic (uidelines and sa!ety radio watch1eepin( and maintenance$ *esol&tion 1 # ,asic g&idelines and operational g&idance relating to safet radio 'atchkeeping for radio telephone operators5 *esol&tion 7 # *adio operators5 "our recommendations are anne9ed to this resolution dealin( with BiC minimum re0uirements !or certi!ication o! radio o!!icersE BiiC minimum re0uirements to ensure the continued pro!iciency and updatin( o! 1nowled(e !or radio operatorsE BiiiC #asic (uidelines and operational (uidance relatin( to sa!ety radio watch1eepin( and maintenance !or radio operatorsE and BivC trainin( !or radio operators$ *esol&tion 8 # Additional training for ratings for"ing part of a navigational 'atch5 Fecommends that such ratin(s #e trained in use and operation o! appropriate #rid(e e0uipment and #asic re0uirements !or the prevention o! pollution$

*esol&tion 9 # (ini"&" re+&ire"ents for a rating no"inated as the assistant to the engineer officer in charge of the 'atch5 Feco(ni6es that suita#le trainin( arran(ements are not widely availa#le$ 'etailed re0uirements are contained in an anne9$ *esol&tion 10 # Training and +&alifications of officers and ratings of oil tankers5 Fe!ers to resolution 8 adopted #y the -nternational on!erence on Tan1er %a!ety and ,ollution ,revention, 1978 BT%,,C, which deals with the improvement o! standards o! crews on tan1ers$ Fecommendation in anne9$ *esol&tion 11 # Training and +&alifications of officers and ratings of che"ical tankers5 *esol&tion 1/ # Training and +&alifications of "asters, officers and ratings of li+&efied gas tankers5 *esol&tion 1. # Training and +&alifications of officers and ratings of ships carr ing dangero&s and ha8ardo&s cargo other than in 4&lk5 *esol&tion 17 # Training for radio officers5 'etailed recommendations in anne9$ *esol&tion 1! # Training for radiotelephone operators *esol&tion 11 # Technical assistance for the training and +&alifications of "asters and other responsi4le personnel of oil, che"ical and li+&efied gas tankers5 Fe!ers to re0uirements in several onvention re(ulations and reco(ni6es that trainin( !acilities may #e limited in some countries$ <r(es Aovernments which can provide assistance to do so$K :ac1 to top *esol&tion 17 # Additional training for "asters and chief "ates of large ships and of ships 'ith &n&s&al "anoe&vring characteristics5 -s desi(ned to assist those movin( to ships o! this type !rom smaller vessels, where characteristics may #e 0uite di!!erent$ *esol&tion 18 # *adar si"&lator training5 Fecommends that such trainin( #e (iven to all masters and dec1 o!!icers$ *esol&tion 19 # Training of seafarers in personal s&rvival techni+&es5 A recommendation is anne9ed$ *esol&tion /0 # Training in the &se of collision avoidance aids5

*esol&tion /1 # International Certificate of Co"petenc $ -nvites -;7 to develop a standard !orm and title !or this certi!icate$ *esol&tion // # 9&"an relationships5 +mphasi6es the importance to sa!ety o! (ood human relationships #etween sea!arers on #oard$ *esol&tion /. # %ro"otion of technical co#operation5 *ecords appreciation o! -;7@s wor1 in assistin( developin( countries to esta#lish maritime trainin( !acilities in con!ormity with (lo#al standards o! trainin( and invites the or(ani6ation to intensi!y its e!!orts with a view to promotin( universal acceptance and implementation o! the %T & onvention$ A"end"ent %roced&re Amendments to the 1978 %T & onvention@s technical Anne9 may #e adopted #y a on!erence o! %T & ,arties or #y -;7@s ;aritime %a!ety ommittee, e9panded to include all ontractin( ,arties, some o! whom may not #e mem#ers o! the 7r(ani6ation$ Amendments to the %T & Anne9 will normally enter into !orce one and a hal! years a!ter #ein( communicated to all ,arties unless, in the meantime, they are re*ected #y one/third o! the ,arties or #y ,arties whose com#ined !leets represent 52 per cent o! world tonna(e$ The 1991 a"end"ents Adoption: 22 ;ay 1991 Entr into force: 1 'ecem#er 1992 The amendments were mostly concerned with additional re0uirements made necessary #y the implementation o! the Alo#al ;aritime 'istress and %a!ety %ystem BA;'%%C$ The 1997 a"end"ents Adoption: 25 ;ay 1994 Entr into force: 1 January 1993 The amendments replaced hapter . on special trainin( !or crews on tan1ers$