Annex – Interim Guidance on Training for Seafarers on Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels
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Annex – Interim Guidance on Training for Seafarers on Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels

 All seafarers serving on board ships subject to the IGF Code should, prior to being assigned shipboard duties, receive appropriate ship and equipment specific familiarization as specified in regulation I/14.5.

 In addition, seafarers employed on ships within the scope of the IGF Code should receive appropriate training on the risks and emergency procedures associated with fuels addressed by the IGF Code, in accordance with their duties and responsibilities. On that basis, the following training levels have been identified:

  • .1 basic training for seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code; and

  • .2 advanced training for the masters, engineer officers and all personnel with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels and fuel systems on ships subject to the IGF Code.

  TRAINING REQUIREMENTS

  1 General

  1.1 Prior to being assigned duties on board a ship using fuels addressed by the IGF Code, all seafarers should receive appropriate training in accordance with this section.

  1.2 The Administration may, in respect of ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, except for passenger ships, if it considers that a ship's size and the length or character of its voyage are such as to render the application of the full requirements of this section unreasonable or impracticable, exempt the seafarers on such a ship or class of ships from some of the requirements, bearing in mind the safety of people on board, the ship and property and the protection of the marine environment.

  1.3 Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code should receive basic training or instruction in accordance with paragraph 2.1 and should meet the standard of competence specified therein.

  1.4 Masters, engineer officers and all personnel with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels and fuel systems on ships subject to the IGF Code should receive advanced training in accordance with paragraph 2.2 and should meet the standard of competence specified therein.

  1.5 Basic and advanced training should be given by qualified personnel experienced in the handling and characteristics of the fuels used and the safety procedures involved.

  1.6 It is important to emphasize the need to take account of risk analyses. All risk analyses carried out should be made available to participants during training.

  1.7 Administrations who implemented training provisions for persons serving on gas-fuelled ships through national legislation or by implementing the provisions of the Interim guidelines on safety for natural gas-fuelled engine installations in ships (resolution MSC.285(86)) should compare those standards with the training provisions in this circular to determine the need, if any, for requiring these personnel to update their qualifications.

  2

  2.1

  2.1.1 Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code should, before being assigned to shipboard duties:

  • 2.1.1.1 receive basic training or instruction as determined by the Administration on the use of fuel so as to:

    • 2.1.1.1.1 contribute to the safe operation of a ship subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.1.1.1.2 take precautions to prevent hazards on a ship subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.1.1.1.3 apply occupational health and safety precautions and measures;

    • 2.1.1.1.4 carry out firefighting operations on a ship subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.1.1.1.5 respond to emergencies; and

    • 2.1.1.1.6 take precautions to prevent pollution of the environment from the release of fuels found on ships subject to the IGF Code;

  • 2.1.1.2 be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence to undertake their duties and responsibilities through:

    • 2.1.1.2.1 demonstration of competence in accordance with the methods and criteria for evaluating competence determined by the Administration; and

    • 2.1.1.2.2 examination or continuous assessment as part of a training programme determined by the Administration.

  2.1.2 Documentary evidence should be issued indicating that the holder has attended the basic training required under the IGF Code.

  2.1.3 Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code who have been qualified and certified according to the standards of competence specified in section A-V/1-2, paragraphs 1 and 2 for service on liquefied gas tankers, are to be considered as having met the requirements specified in this subsection, provided they have also met the requirements of regulation I/14 of the STCW Convention.

  2.2

  2.2.1 Masters, engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels addressed by the IGF Code serving on board ships using fuels addressed by the IGF Code should, before being assigned to shipboard duties:

  • 2.2.1.1 receive advanced training as determined by the Administration on the use of fuels addressed by the IGF Code so as to:

    • 2.2.1.1.1 be familiar with physical and chemical properties of fuels aboard ships subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.2.1.1.2 operate controls of fuel related to propulsion plant and engineering systems and services and safety devices on ships subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.2.1.1.3 be able to safely perform and monitor all operations related to the fuels used on board ships subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.2.1.1.4 Masters, engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels on ships subject to the IGF Code who have been qualified and certified according to the standards of competence specified in section A–V/1-2, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code for service on liquefied gas tankers are to be considered as having met the requirements specified in this subsection, provided they have also:

      • .1 met the requirements of regulation I/14 of the STCW Convention; and
      • .2 have completed seagoing service of three months in the previous five years on board:
        • .1 ships subject to the IGF Code;
        • .2 tankers carrying as cargo, fuels covered by the IGF Code; or
        • .3 ships using gases or low flashpoint fuel as fuel.

    • 2.2.1.1.5 take precautions to prevent pollution of the environment from the release of fuels from ships subject to the IGF Code;

    • 2.2.1.1.6 monitor and control compliance with legislative requirements;

    • 2.2.1.1.7 take precautions to prevent hazards;

    • 2.2.1.1.8 apply occupational health and safety precautions and measures on board ships subject to theIGF Code; and

    • 2.2.1.1.9 have knowledge of the prevention , control and firefighting and extinguishing systems on board ships subject to the IGF Code;

  • 2.2.1.2 be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence to undertake their duties and responsibilities through:

    • 2.2.1.2.1 demonstration of competence in accordance with the methods and criteria for evaluating competence determined by the Administration; and

    • 2.2.1.2.2 examination or continuous assessment as part of a training programme determined by the Administration.

  • 2.2.1.3 Documentary evidence should be issued by the Administration indicating that the holder has attended the advanced training required under the IGF Code.

  • 2.2.1.4 Masters, engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels on ships subject to the IGF Code who have been qualified and certified according to the standards of competence specified in section A–V/1-2-2 of the STCW Code for service on liquefied gas tankers are to be considered as having met the requirements specified in this subsection, provided they have also met the requirements of regulation I/14 of the STCW Convention, and have completed sea going service of three months in the previous five years on board tanker carrying as cargo fuels addressed by the IGF Code.

  3

  3.1 Emergency exercises on board ships using gas as fuel should be conducted at regular intervals. The response and safety system for hazard and accident control should be reviewed and tested.

Parent topic: STCW.7/Circ.23 – Interim Guidance on Training for Seafarers on Ships Using Gases or Other Low-Flashpoint Fuels – (9 December 2014)
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