Provision of documentation for verification
1 Under regulation I/2 of the STCW Convention,
1978, as amended, the documentation authorizing the holder to serve in
certain functions on board ship are certificates of competency and certificates of
proficiency and, only with regard to regulation V/2, documentary evidence. The list
of certificates or documentary evidence required under the STCW
Convention, 1978, as amended, is set out in table B-I/2 of the STCW Code.
2 Certificates of competency, certificates of proficiency and documentary
evidence issued in accordance with chapters II, III, IV, V, VI and VII of the STCW Convention,
1978, as amended, are evidence of having successfully completed all
required training and that the required standard of competence has been achieved.
3 While IMO model courses may assist with the development of training
programmes, they are not mandatory, and Administrations are not required to use them
when preparing and approving training courses to meet the objectives of the STCW Code, as
amended.
4 The validation of an IMO model course means that no reason was found to
object to its contents. It does not mean that it is an official interpretation of
the Convention, or that approval was granted by the IMO bodies.
5 It is agreed that:
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.1 in accordance with regulation I/4 of the STCW
Convention, 1978, as amended, seafarers should not be required to
provide documentation for verification that is not required by the
Convention; and
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.2 certificates or documentary evidence issued under the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended, should not be required to
contain reference to IMO model courses.
References to the STCW Convention, 1978, as amended
6 The normal practice within IMO is to refer to international conventions
by an acronym of the title of the convention and the date on which it was made (e.g.
SOLAS
1974). Where amendments are made to the original convention, the title is
then amended to reflect the amendments (e.g. SOLAS
1974, as amended) but it is not normal practice to append the year/dates
of the amendments to the title of the amended convention.
7 It has been reported that different references to the STCW
Convention, 1978, as amended, can be found in certificates and
endorsements, which has led to some confusion. In particular, if the references had
different meanings, or if the differences were unintentional.
8 The format of certificates and endorsements provided in section A-I/2
of the STCW Code refers to "the International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended".
9 In order to avoid confusion, it is recommended that certificates and endorsements
referring to the STCW Convention use the reference "the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as
amended", without appending the year/dates of the amendments.
10 It is important to note that seafarers may hold certificates and documentary
evidence that contain a different reference to the STCW Convention that remain valid
and should be accepted.
Training requirements for Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems
(ECDIS) and provision of the documentation for verification
11 The STCW Code
contains requirements for approved training on ECDIS. In cases where the approved
training has not been completed, a limitation shall be included on the certificate
and endorsements issued to the seafarer. Where such a limitation is not specified,
the certificate and endorsements are evidence of having successfully completed the
required approved training and that the standard of competence has been achieved.
12 No requirement exists for the approved training on ECDIS equipment to be
type-specific. The knowledge, understanding and proficiency required to be
demonstrated is generalized to ensure seafarers have the necessary skills for basic
operation of all types of equipment.
13 In accordance with regulation I/14, companies are responsible for ensuring that
seafarers employed on their ships are familiarized with the installed equipment,
including ECDIS.
14 It is agreed that seafarers required to have training in the use of ECDIS:
Regulations II/5 (able seafarer deck), III/5 (able seafarer engine), III/6
(electro-technical officers) and III/7 (electro-technical ratings)
15 Misinterpretation of the applicable provision of regulations II/5, III/5, III/6
and III/7 has been reported. In particular, port State control officers have
required personnel on board to possess applicable Certificate of Competency or
Certificate of Proficiency, when such personnel are not included in the Minimum Safe
Manning Document (MSMD) of the ship.
16 Port State control officers, recognized organizations and other
relevant parties are reminded that under paragraph 2.1 of appendix 11 of the
Procedures for port State control, 2011 (resolution A.1052(27)), "If a ship is manned in accordance
with a MSMD or equivalent document issued by the flag State, the port State control
officers should accept that the ship is safely manned".