Annex – Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as Amended
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Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Resolutions - Maritime Safety Committee - Resolution MSC.416(97) – Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as Amended – (Adopted on 25 November 2016) - Annex – Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as Amended

Annex – Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as Amended

 This document has been consolidated into STCW Convention

CHAPTER I

General provisions

1 In regulation I/1.1, the following new definitions are added:

  • ".42 Polar Code means the International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, as defined in SOLAS regulation XIV/1.1.

  • .43 Polar waters means Arctic waters and/or the Antarctic area, as defined in SOLAS regulations XIV/1.2 to XIV/1.4."

2 In regulation I/11, after the existing paragraph 3, the following new paragraph is inserted and the subsequent paragraphs are renumbered accordingly:

  • "4 Every master or officer shall, for continuing seagoing service on board ships operating in polar waters, meet the requirements of paragraph 1 of this regulation and be required, at intervals not exceeding five years, to establish continued professional competence for ships operating in polar waters in accordance with section A-1/11, paragraph 4 of the STCW Code."

CHAPTER V

Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships

3 In chapter V, the existing regulation V/2 is replaced by the following:

  • "Regulation V/2

  • Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships

  • 1 This regulation applies to masters, officers, ratings and other personnel serving on board passenger ships engaged on international voyages. Administrations shall determine the applicability of these requirements to personnel serving on passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages.

  • 2 Before being assigned shipboard duties, all persons serving on a passenger ship shall meet the requirements of section A-VI/1, paragraph 1 of the STCW Code.

  • 3 Masters, officers, ratings and other personnel serving on board passenger ships shall complete the training and familiarization required by paragraphs 5 to 9 below, in accordance with their capacity, duties and responsibilities.

  • 4 Masters, officers, ratings and other personnel, who are required to be trained in accordance with paragraphs 7 to 9 below shall, at intervals not exceeding five years, undertake appropriate refresher training or be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years.

  • 5 Personnel serving on board passenger ships shall complete passenger ship emergency familiarization appropriate to their capacity, duties and responsibilities as specified in section A-V/2, paragraph 1 of the STCW Code.

  • 6 Personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces on board passenger ships shall complete the safety training specified in section A-V/2, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code.

  • 7 Masters, officers, ratings qualified in accordance with chapters II, III and VII and other personnel designated on the muster list to assist passengers in emergency situations on board passenger ships, shall complete passenger ship crowd management training as specified in section A-V/2, paragraph 3 of the STCW Code.

  • 8 Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and any person designated on the muster list of having responsibility for the safety of passengers in emergency situations on board passenger ships shall complete approved training in crisis management and human behaviour as specified in section A-V/2, paragraph 4 of the STCW Code.

  • 9 Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second engineer officers and every person assigned immediate responsibility for embarking and disembarking passengers, for loading, discharging or securing cargo, or for closing hull openings on board ro-ro passenger ships, shall complete approved training in passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity as specified in section A-V/2, paragraph 5 of the STCW Code.

  • 10 Administrations shall ensure that documentary evidence of the training which has been completed is issued to every person found qualified in accordance with paragraphs 6 to 9 of this regulation. "

4 In chapter V, the following new regulation is added:

  • "Regulation V/4

  • Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters

  • 1 Masters, chief mates and officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships operating in polar waters shall hold a certificate in basic training for ships operating in polar waters, as required by the Polar Code.

  • 2 Every candidate for a certificate in basic training for ships operating in polar waters shall have completed an approved basic training for ships operating in polar waters and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-V/4, paragraph 1, of the STCW Code.

  • 3 Masters and chief mates on ships operating in polar waters, shall hold a certificate in advanced training for ships operating in polar waters, as required by the Polar Code.

  • 4 Every candidate for a certificate in advanced training for ships operating in polar waters shall:

    • .1 meet the requirements for certification in basic training for ships in polar waters;

    • .2 have at least two (2) months of approved seagoing service in the deck department, at management level or while performing watchkeeping duties at the operational level, within polar waters or other equivalent approved seagoing service; and

    • .3 have completed approved advanced training for ships operating in polar waters and meet the standard of competence specified in section A-V/4, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code.

  • 5 Administrations shall ensure that a Certificate of Proficiency is issued to seafarers who are qualified in accordance with paragraphs 2 or 4, as appropriate.

  • Transitional provisions

  • 6 Until 1 July 2020, seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar waters prior to 1 July 2018 shall be able to establish that they meet the requirements of paragraph 2 by:

    • .1 having completed approved seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar waters or equivalent approved seagoing service, performing duties in the deck department at the operational or management level, for a period of at least three months in total during the preceding five years; or

    • .2 having successfully completed a training course meeting the training guidance established by the Organization for ships operating in polar waters.footnote

  • 7 Until 1 July 2020, seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar waters prior to 1 July 2018 shall be able to establish that they meet the requirements of paragraph 4 by:

    • .1 having completed approved seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar waters or equivalent approved seagoing service, performing duties in the deck department at management level, for a period of at least three months in total during the preceding five years; or

    • .2 having successfully completed a training course meeting the training guidance established by the Organization for ships operating in polar watersfootnote and having completed approved seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar waters or equivalent approved seagoing service, performing duties in the deck department at the management level, for a period of at least two months in total during the preceding five years."

Parent topic: Resolution MSC.416(97) – Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as Amended – (Adopted on 25 November 2016)
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