Technical Notices

1/ GENERAL

The Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and Code were adopted on 25^th June 2010, marking a major revision of the STCW Convention and Code.

New wide-ranging amendments to the STCW rules, agreed by governments in Manila in 2010, are intended to ensure that STCW standards stay relevant, so that seafarers can continue to develop and maintain their professional skills. In particular, numerous changes are now being introduced to take account of technical developments that require new shipboard competences.

In first of January 2017, the implementation period ends. From February 2017 onwards all seafarers on active service must comply with all the 2010-amended STCW requirements and be in possession of a valid STCW certificate covering the functions performed on-board.

Administrations will also issue and recognise and endorse certificates in accordance with the STCW provisions prior to 2010 for those commencing training prior to 1 July 2013.

2/ WHEN WILL THESE CHANGES AFFECT THE SEAFARER?

2.1       STCW Certification

Seafarers holding valid STCW certificates issued prior to 1^st January 2012 will have to meet the new requirements, including new refresher training, in order for their certificates to be revalidated beyond 1^st January 2017.

From the 1^st July 2013, all new entrants commencing training will have to be trained according to the new standards.

Up to 1^st January 2017, seafarers that commenced training before 1^st July 2013 may be issued with certificates in accordance with the provisions of the Convention which applied immediately prior to 1^st January 2012.

Some administrations may decide to implement the new standards earlier than others.

2.2       Security Training

From 1 January 2014, all seafarers will have to be trained and certified in security matters in accordance with the new 2010 provisions, which include new anti-piracy elements.

2.3       Medical Certification

The Seafarer may be issued with a medical certificate in accordance with current requirements until 2017. After this date, all medical certificates must be issued in accordance with the 2010 standards, though in practice your administration may require you to meet the new standards before 2017.

3/ Implementation Schedule

4/ Additional definitions and requirements of the amended STCW Convention. 

Electro-technical officer means an officer qualified in accordance with the provisions of regulation III/6 of the convention.

Electro-technical rating means a rating qualified in accordance with the provisions of regulation III/7 of the convention.

Note: these positions are not a manning requirement or prohibit other positions of other electrical roles onboard

Able seafarer deck means a rating qualified in accordance with the provisions of regulation II/5 of the convention.

Able seafarer engine means a rating qualified with the provisions of regulation III/5 of the convention.

Note: The qualification for able seafarer, previously covered under ILO convention (74) has been transferred to the IMO. National administrations should make provision for the acceptrance and endorsement of current holder of an AB certificate. the AB seafarer engine is a new qualification and, under section A VII/2.3 and 4, there are new provisions for an integrated rating covering both deck and engine duties. These positions are not mandatory under the safe manning requirements unless required by the administration.

5/ Key new training requirements

5.1 Changes to Competence Tables

Various changes to the STCW Competence Tables are included in the Manila Amendments. Important examples include the need for deck officers to be competent in the use of ECDIS and for engineer officers to be able to operate pollution prevention equipment. More generally, additional emphasis is given to environment management. 

5.2 Leadership and Teamwork

For deck and engine officers, substantial new competence requirements related to leadership, teamwork and managerial skills have been added. Assertiveness training for all seafarers has also been included, given its importance not only for those who have to direct operations but also for those in lower grades who may have to communicate on safety matters with senior officers, the master and/or shore personnel.

5.3 Training Record Books

It will be mandatory for all deck and engine rating trainees to demonstrate competence through the use of on board training record books, with completion to be supervised by officers responsible for on board training (in addition to the existing requirements applicable to officer trainees).

5.4 Mandatory Security Training

As well as specific training and certification requirements for Ship Security Officers, new security familiarisation and training requirements have been introduced for all grades of shipboard personnel. Seafarers may already comply with these new security requirements through seagoing service or previous training.

5.5 Refresher Training

An important feature of the Manila amendments is the additional emphasis given to the need for seafarers’ standards of competence to be maintained throughout their careers. All seafarers are now required to provide evidence of appropriate levels of competence in basic safety training (including survival, fire-fighting, first aid, and personal safety) every five years. Much of this refresher training can be conducted on board, but some will require training at shore based institutions.

Seafarers who hold certificates of proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats (CPSC) and fast rescue boats or advanced fire fighting will also have to show that they have maintained their levels of competence in these skills every five years.

5.6 Tanker Training

STCW now contains new, comprehensive Competence Tables for training in oil, chemical and gas tanker operations, at both basic and advanced levels.

5.7 Other type of ships training

New guidance has also been developed for crew on offshore support vessels and all ships in polar waters.

5.8 New Seafarer Grades and Certification

STCW 2010 introduces extensive training and certification requirements for the new grades of ‘Able Seafarer Deck’ and ‘Able Seafarer Engine’. These are in addition to the current navigational and engine watch rating requirements which are otherwise unchanged.

New competence standards and certification for the position of ‘Electro-Technical Officer’ and ‘Electro-Technical Rating’ have also been established, in recognition of a position already widely established, particularly in the passenger ship industry.

It should be noted that there are many interchangeable competences between the Able Seafarer Engine and the Electro-Technical Rating. It is therefore possible to consider the Electro-Technical Rating aspects as a supplement to the Able Seafarer Engine training, which should contribute to career development for such seafarers and might enhance the flexibility of their role on board.

5.9 Medical Standards

Additional medical fitness standards and requirements for certification have been introduced.

5.10 Prevention of Unsafe Alcohol Use

These include a specific limit of 0.05% blood alcohol level or 0.25mg/l alcohol in the breath.

5.11 Changes to Minimum Rest Hours

The STCW Convention also covers watchkeeping arrangements. This includes seafarers’ minimum rest periods to prevent fatigue and ensure that seafarers are fit for duty. The STCW minimum rest hours are now harmonized with the work hour requirements adopted by the International Labour Organization including the ILO Maritime Labour Convention (MLC).

The new IMO rest hour requirements entered into force in January 2012 and introduced stricter minimum requirements than those previously in force. The main changes are as follows:

• Minimum amount of rest in any 7 day period is increased to 77 hours from 70 hours;
• Seafarers must always have 10 hours rest in any 24 hour period with no exceptions, except during an emergency;
• It is now mandatory to maintain records of each individual seafarers’ rest hours, which may be inspected during Port State Control inspections; and
• The rest hour limits now apply to most seafarers on board, including masters, not only watchkeepers as had previously been the case.

From January 2012, seafarers need to review and sign a record of their work/rest hours periodically (typically at least once a month) to ensure they comply with the minimum rest hours stipulated.

IMO circular (STCW.7/Circ.17) on guidance for Port State Control Inspectors in respect of certificates of competence issued under the provisions of the STCW Convention.

KEY POINTS:

Advice for port state control officers on transitional arrangements leading up to the full implementation of the requirements of the 2010 Manila amendments to the STCW Convention and code on 1 January 2017.

The committee agreed that:

.1      for seafarers holding certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of the convention which applied immediately prior to 1 January 2012 and who have not met the requirements of the 2010 Manila amendments, the validity of any revalidated certificate should not extend beyond 1 January 2017;

.2      for seafarers holding certificates issued in accordance with the provisions of the convention which applied immediately prior to 1 January 2012 who have met the requirements of the 2010 Manila Amendments, the validity of any revalidated certificate can extend beyond 1 January 2017;

.3      for seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service, an approved education and training programme or an approved training course before 1 July 2013, the validity of any certificate issued should not extend beyond 1 January 2017, unless they meet the requirements of the 2010 Manila amendments; and

.4      for seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service, an approved education and training programme or an approved training course after 1 July 2013 the validity of any certificate issued may extend beyond 1 January 2017.

The committee recommended that for seafarers’ certificates that have expiry dates beyond 1 January 2017, port state control authorities should accept the certificate issued as prima facie evidence that the seafarer had met the standard of competence required by the 2010 Manila amendments in accordance with the control provisions of article X and regulation I/4.