This page briefly summarises STCW and Manila Amendments as they apply to the ship’s master.
What is the STCW Convention?
The 1978 STCW Convention was the first major IMO instrument to establish minimum requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.
Before this convention, the standards of training, certification and watchkeeping of officers and ratings were established by individual States, usually in isolation from other administrations.
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To whom does STCW apply?
STCW applies to seafarers employed on ships that fly the flag of a contracting government.
A significant feature of the convention is that it also applies to ships of non-party states when they visit ports of states which are party to the convention. Article X requires Port State Control measures on ships of all flags to ensure no favourable treatment is given to ships flying the flag of non-party States.
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Structure of the Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping Convention and Code
The 2011 edition of the STCW Convention and Code, incorporating the 2010 Manila Amendments, is structured as follows:
STCW Convention. The convention contains fundamental tenets that are discussed further in the next two parts of the Code. It is made up of 17 articles and 18 resolutions.
STCW Code, Part A: Mandatory standards regarding provisions of the annex to the STCW Convention. Part A of the Code, which includes Resolution 2, is mandatory. Part A provides minimum standards of competence required for seagoing personnel. A series of tables gives further details. Part A is divided into chapters, which are divided into regulations as illustrated below.
STCW Code, Part B: Recommended guidance regarding provisions of the STCW Convention and its annex. Part B of the Code clarifies the above recommendations and contains guidance on implementing the convention. Its structure is similar to that of Part A and, for ease of use, the numbering corresponds to the numbering used in Part A.
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What are the chapters of the STCW Code, and which subjects do each cover?
The Code is divided into eight chapters as follows:
Chapter I contains regulations concerning the general provisions of the Code including definitions and clarifications, certificates and endorsements, training and assessment, recognition and revalidation of certificates.
Chapter II covers the training and certification of the ship’s master and deck department. It includes mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of various sizes, as well as requirements for certification of ratings forming part of a navigational watch.
Chapter III covers the training of the chief engineer and the engine department. Regulations include mandatory minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of engineering watches in manned engine rooms and designated duty engineers in periodically unmanned engine rooms of various power ratings. It also provides mandatory minimum requirements for certification of ratings in manned engine rooms and periodically unmanned engine rooms.
Chapter IV covers radio communication and operators. This includes mandatory minimum requirements for the certification of GMDSS radio operators.
Chapter V covers special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships. This includes mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, and ratings on the following vessels:
- oil tankers
- chemical tankers
- liquefied gas tankers
- passenger ships.
Chapter VI covers emergencies, occupational safety, medical care, and survival functions. This includes mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarisation, basic training, and instruction for all seafarers.
Chapter VII covers alternative certifications, including the issuing of alternative certificates and principles governing the issuing of alternative certificates.
Chapter VIII covers watchkeeping practices. This chapter is possibly the most pertinent and practical chapter for the ship’s master because it covers fitness for duty as well as watchkeeping arrangements and principles that must be observed.
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Does STCW cover the safe manning levels?
The STCW Convention does not cover the safe manning of ships.
This is because this important issue is dealt with by the IMO in SOLAS V/14, which makes the Minimum Safe Manning Document mandatory. The document was issued by the flag State after a formal assessment of each vessel’s manning needs.
Vessels’ particular needs are assessed according to the requirements of IMO Res. A.890 (21): Principles of safe manning, adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1999.
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What are the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention?
In June 2010, the IMO convened a diplomatic conference in Manila in order to bring the STCW Convention and Code into line with the latest industry and regulatory developments. These changes became universally known as the Manila Amendments (MA).
Although no modifications were made to convention articles, technical amendments were made to update the regulations of the annex, as well as to Part A (mandatory) and Part B (guidance) of the STCW Code.
The amendments were the first major revision of the STCW Convention and Code since 1995.
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Why were the Manila Amendments introduced?
The Manila Amendments were essential to ensure that standards of training for merchant seafarers advanced to meet the evolving technological and operational requirements on board ships.
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When did the Manila Amendments come into force?
The Manila Amendments (MA) came into force on the 1st of January 2012.
They set out a five-year transitional period (until the 1st January 2017) to allow all seafarers to be trained, certified and revalidated according to the new standards.
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What changes to certificates were introduced under the MA?
The amendment introduced a stratified system of 3 certificate/document types that can be issued under the STCW Convention. These are:
- Certificate of Competency (CoC), is a certificate endorsed and issued to the ship’s masters and officers in accordance with the requirements of STCW chapters II, III, IV and VII. CoCs can only be issued by the administration following authentication of the documentary evidence as submitted.
- Certificate of Proficiency (CoP), is any certificate other than a CoC issued to seafarers in accordance with the STCW Convention. CoPs and DE may be issued by an organisation on behalf of the administration.
- Documentary Evidence (DE), is any documentation other than a CoC or CoP issued to seafarers in accordance with the STCW Convention.
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Port State control regimes cooperate with IMO on crew changes and certificate renewals: https://t.co/R12YVYTiWk #PortStateControl #repatriation #Covid_19 @ilo pic.twitter.com/XBaue128yC
— IMO (@IMOHQ) June 18, 2020
What measures were introduced to prevent fraudulent practices regarding the issuing of CoCs?
Two primary methods were introduced to help prevent fraudulent certificates. They are:
- Mandatory registration of certificates, which makes information concerning the status of certificates readily available
- Mandatory electronic publication of certificate status in English for verification purposes.
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What are the amended requirements to prevent alcohol abuse on board ships?
Following the Manila Amendments, they set alcohol limits for fitness to duty at:
- blood alcohol limit of 0.05%
- alcohol at the breath limit of 0.25mg/l.
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What are the requirements for marine environmental awareness training?
Deck officers must be trained in the correct deployment of equipment and procedures that may be required in the event of a pollution incident on board the ship.
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What are the amended requirements for training in leadership and teamwork?
One principle of leadership is that everything is the responsibility of the leader. This is much like the need for safety being everyone’s concern. The IMO has recognised this and has directed, via the Manila amendments, that all seafarers undertake training to develop their leadership skills.
Under this requirement, the crew must take part in assertiveness training to learn effective leadership, teamwork and managerial skills for use on board ships.
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Training requirements for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters?
Section B of the STCW Code contains ‘Guidance Regarding Training of ship’s masters and officers for Ships Operating in Polar Waters, which set out the requirements for this training. This guidance is supplemented by IMO resolution A.1024 (26): Guidelines for Ships Operating in Polar Waters.
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