STCW Convention
STCW Convention at a glance
In 1978, IMO adopted a landmark Convention for all seafarers across the world to establish high standards of competence and professionalism in their duties on-board. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, the STCW Convention in brief, establishes the minimum basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.
Terms and Definitions
Training issues
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.
Training requirements on LNG fueled ships
During the 2019 SAFETY4SEA Athens Forum, Mr. Stavros Niotis, Principal Engineer OEP, ABS, discusses the STCW requirements of seafarers’ training, noting the three training types and the importance of seafarer competency and knowledge of people onboard the sea.
Certificates under STCW
Certificates needed for compliance with STCW
Certificates according to function and type of vessel
Certificates and documentary evidence needed onboard
General requirements for officers
According to STCW Convention, officers must meet the minimum requirements of competence, seagoing service time, medical fitness and age. Also, ancillary certificates are required such as radar or ARPA, GMDSS, and those referring to safety duties onboard specific types of ships.
General requirements for ratings
According to STCW Convention, ratings must meet minimum standards of medical fitness, minimum age (if designated with watchkeeping duties), competence (if designated with watchkeeping duties), and seagoing service time (if designated with watch- keeping duties).
