IMO STCW.7/ Circ.21
The IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) at its firstsession (17 to 21 February 2014), reviewed progress with the implementation of certificationrequirements related to security-awareness training and training for seafarers withdesignated security duties, in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention andsection A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code by Parties.
The Sub-Committee noted that the transitional provision under section A-VI/6, forthose seafarers who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to 1 January 2012ended on 1 January 2014. The Sub-Committee was concerned that, after the end of the transitional period on1 January 2014, there may be practical difficulties for seafarers to obtain necessary securitycertification required in accordance with regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention andsection A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code.
The Sub-Committee was particularly concerned about the fact that large numbers ofseafarers were reportedly unable to have access to approved training courses or unable tobe issued certification of security related training in accordance with regulation VI/6 andsection A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6. The Sub-Committee further noted the current difficulties faced by the shippingcommunity in implementing the amended provisions of regulation VI/6 of theSTCW Convention.
Therefore, it urged all concerned, in particular STCW Parties andAdministrations, to do their utmost to ensure that certificates on security awareness trainingand training for seafarers with designated security duties are issued, in accordance with therequirements of regulation VI/6 and section A-VI/6, as soon as possible.
The Sub-Committee recognized that seafarers on board ships may not yet holdcertification in security awareness training or training on designated security duties, requiredby regulation VI/6 and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6, and agreed that until 1 July 2015,in cases where a seafarer does not hold certification in security awareness training ortraining on designated security duties, in accordance with regulation VI/6 of theSTCW Convention and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code, it would besufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of the International Ship and Port FacilitySecurity (ISPS) Code.
The Sub-Committee urged port State control authorities to take the above factorsinto consideration when exercising control procedures in article X and regulation I/4 of theSTCW Convention.
In this context, the Sub-Committee recommended that Administrations should informtheir port State control authorities that, until 1 July 2015, even if a seafarer’s certification withregard to the security awareness training or training for seafarers with designated securityduties in regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention, as amended, and section A-VI/6,paragraphs 4 and 6 of the STCW Code, is not in accordance with the STCW Convention, asamended, it would be sufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of the International Shipand Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
The Sub-Committee further recommended that Administrations should also informrecognized organizations and recognized security organizations issuing ISM Code andISPS Code certification under International Convention of Safety of Life at Sea, 1974(SOLAS), as amended, that, until 1 July 2015, if a seafarer’s certification is not in accordancewith regulation VI/6 of the STCW Convention, as amended, and section A-VI/6, paragraphs 4and 6 of the STCW Code, it would be sufficient to accept compliance with section 13 of theInternational Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.
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