Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code set a new requirement for training and emergency familiarization of crewmembers on passenger ships, effective from 1st of July 2018. In particular, it is required that all personnel have undergone relevant training before being assigned to shipboard duties. Specification of the minimum standards of competence for the passenger ship crowd management training is also developed.
As such, personnel serving on board passenger ships is required to have completed passenger ship emergency familiarization appropriate to their capacity, duties and responsibilities. Also, Masters, officers, ratings and other personnel designated on the muster lists are required to assist passengers in emergency situations on board passenger ships to undergo passenger ship crowd management training.
New sections in the STCW code Section A-V/2 Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships would cover “Passenger ship emergency familiarization” and “Safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces”.
The amendments were discussed during IMO Sub- Committee on Human Element in February 2015. The review of the passenger ship training requirements is part of the long-term action plan on passenger ship safety agreed following the Costa Concordia incident in January 2012.
Before being assigned to shipboard duties, all personnel serving on board passenger ships, in order to contribute to the implementation of emergency plans, instructions and procedures, shall be familiar with:
- general safety features aboard ship;
- location of essential safety and emergency equipment, including life-saving appliances;
- importance of personal conduct during an emergency; and
- restrictions on the use of elevators during emergencies.
For the effective communication with passengers during an emergency, all personnel shall be able to communicate in the working language of the ship; non-verbally communicate safety information; and understand one of the languages in which emergency announcements may be broadcast on the ship during an emergency or drill.
Before being assigned to shipboard duties, personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces shall receive the additional safety training required by regulation V/2, paragraph 6, that ensures at least the attainment of the abilities as follows:
- Ability to communicate with passengers during an emergency
- Ability to demonstrate to passengers the use of personal life-saving appliances.
- Embarking and disembarking passengers, with special attention to disabled persons and persons needing assistance.
Explore more by reading MSC.416 & MSC.417
When Onboard Everything Familiarized