STCW Convention

MPA Singapore: Guidelines on medical examination of seafarers

MPA Singapore issued a circular informing of the medical examination of seafarers and seafarer’s medical certificate, in line with the IMO and ILO guidelines which have been adopted as national requirements for medical examination of seafarers. Every seafarer working onboard Singapore-registered ships shall hold a valid seafarer’s medical certificate.

A seafarer’s medical certificate shall follow the requirements of minimum information to be provided in the certificate as set out in the STCW...

https://safety4sea.com/mpa-singapore-guidelines-on-medical-examination-of-seafarers/

Two thirds of maritime schools in Philippines could close for failing to comply with STCW

An estimated 61 of the 91 maritime schools in Philippines have been recommended for closure over failure to comply with the STCW Convention, according to the Maritime Industry Authority of Philippines (Marina). Poor compliance with STCW could adversely impact the future of Filipino seamen in light of EMSA audits.

The STCW Convention (1978) establishes basic global requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.

The news for poor compliance came by Marina Officer in Charge,...

https://safety4sea.com/two-thirds-of-maritime-schools-in-philippines-could-close-for-failing-to-comply-with-stcw/

USCG announces changes regarding merchant mariner credential STCW endorsements

The US Office of Merchant Mariner Credentialing has published changes to three Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVICs) regarding qualification for certain Merchant Mariner Credential (MMC) STCW endorsements.

Specifically, NVICs 04-14, 08-14, and 09-14 have been revised to provide guidance on renewal of STCW endorsements for Proficiency in Survival Craft, Proficiency in Survival Craft-Limited, Basic Training, and Advanced Firefighting for mariners serving on vessels in reduced...

https://safety4sea.com/uscg-announces-changes-regarding-merchant-mariner-credential-stcw-endorsements/

Alcohol and drug consumption onboard: Taking prevention measures

Any level of alcohol consumption or illegal drugs by crew members onboard has implications for the safety of the vessel, the crew and any passengers. Even small quantities of alcohol have been shown to sufficiently impair seafarer’s fitness for duty and increase the risk of accidents. As such, Regulation VIII/1, Code A-VIII/1 and B-VIII/1 of the STCW Convention, as amended in June 2010 (the Manila amendments), brought in new provisions on fitness for duty – alcohol limits.

Read in the series:

https://safety4sea.com/cm-alcohol-and-drug-consumption-onboard-taking-prevention-measures/

Training issues under STCW: What you should know

In an effort to prevent any frauds concerning the STCW certificates, the amended Convention in 2010 introduced stricter requirements for the training centers issuing certificates and endorsements by putting greater responsibilities on parties as well as keeping an electronic database with controlled access.

In addition, education and training institutions need to have academic and training program approved by the administration issuing the certificate and all instructors and supervisors involved...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-training-issues-under-stcw-what-you-should-know/

STCW: Certificates and documentary evidence needed onboard

According to STCW, seafarers need to carry on board the originals of all certificates and endorsements, not photocopies of those. In particular, seafarers should keep on board their national certificate of competence and endorsement, certificates and documentary evidence covering specific safety or pollution prevention duties and service on board certain types of ship as well as endorsements of recognition.

As far it concerns medical certificates, these remain valid for two years unless a...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-stcw-certificates-and-documentary-evidence-needed-onboard/

STCW: Setting the hours of rest for watch personnel

One of the significant amendments of STCW aimed to address the problem of fatigue, which is a raising concern for the maritime industry, by establishing the minimum hours of rest for watch personnel while at the same time harmonizing them with the MLC, 2006 provisions. Namely, STCW Chapter A-VIII/1 (Fitness for duty) defines the work and rest hours requirements which after Manila amendments, the STCW 2010 requirements are made in line with the MLC requirements.

As such, STCW sets 10 hours – in...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-stcw-setting-the-hours-of-rest-for-watch-personnel/

STWC certificates according to function and type of vessel

The STCW Convention provides details on the certificates required according to function performed on board and type of vessel. The following tables outline all requirements for personnel on any type of ship designated with safety or pollution duties; in charge of survival craft or rescue boats; designated to control fire fighting; to provide medical care; securities duties and for personnel working on tankers or passenger ships.

Certificates for personnel on any type of ship

  1. If designated with s...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-stwc-certificates-according-to-function-and-type-of-vessel/

STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Chief Mate

The STCW Convention provides details on the general requirements and certificates by rank. With respect to Chief Mates, the Convention clarifies which requirements concerning previous certificate & seagoing service, education & training should be met for Chief Mates serving on ships of 3,000 gross tonnage or 500 — 3,000 gross tonnage and the table in the end summarizes all mentioned requirements.

Ships of 3,000 gross tonnage

Chief Mates must:

  • Previous certificate & seagoing service: meet...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-stcw-how-to-obtain-a-certificate-of-competency-as-chief-mate-2/

STCW: How to obtain a certificate of competency as Navigational Watch

The STCW Convention provides details on the general requirements and certificates by rank. With respect to officers in charge of a navigational watch, the Convention clarifies which requirements concerning age, seagoing service, bridge watch-keeping & radio duties and education & training should be met for those officers serving on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more, or less than 500 gross tonnage and the table in the end summarizes all mentioned requirements.

Ships of 500 gross tonnage or more

Of...

https://safety4sea.com/cm-stcw-how-to-obtain-a-certificate-of-competency-as-navigational-watch/

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