Tag: STCW

IMO - STCW 2STCW Amendments - Communication received from the Government of Antigua and Bar/ Circ 39 IMO issues STCW.2/ Circ 39 regarding STCW Amendments - Communication received from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda as follows:The Secretary-General of the International Maritime Organization has the honour to refer to the attached communication of 3 August 2011 received from the Government of Antigua and Barbuda, concerning equivalent arrangements accepted under article IX/I of the International Convention on Standards of Trading Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, for the international certification of pleasure yachts engaged in trade and sail training ships.The Secretary-General would be grateful if steps could be taken to bring this information to the attention of the appropriate authorities.Click here to view the IMO - STCW2/Circ 39Source: IMO

ECDIS MITAGS-179 course The Maritime Institute of Technology and Graduate Studies (MITAGS) has received approval of updates to its Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) (MITAGS-179) course that is part of the Advanced Navigation course. This approval now aligns the course with the latest revisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) code as amended in 2010."Any applicant who has successfully completes the ECDIS course at MITAGS will now be considered to have successfully demonstrated the competencies of the amended STCW code of 2010," said Eric Friend, Director of Training for MITAGS. "Our Pacific Maritime Institute (PMI) will be seeking approval for their course as well. MITAGS-PMI has strived to maintain its leadership in maritime training and will continue to remain vigilant about any and all changes to U.S. Coast Guard and International Maritime Organization requirements regarding training under the STCW Convention."The U.S. Coast Guard endorsed the ECDIS approval by stating the following on the approval letter received by MITAGS. "The Plan and Conduct a Passage and Determine Position: Thorough Knowledge of and Ability to Use ECDIS of Table A-II/1 of the STCW Code as amended including the amendments: And Determine Position and the Accuracy of the ...

Amendments to the STCW Convention Amendments to the STCW Convention have been made at the right time to make it relevant for today's and future needs, according to Rear Admiral Peter Brady, Director General of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.Officially opening a regional seminar in Jamaica entitled "Familiarisation With The Manila Amendments To The STCW Convention And Code", Admiral Brady told delegates: "The Convention and the Code had to provide for the needs of today and many years into the future."He said: "To prepare and equip seafarers for the new challenges of effectively manning ships and minimising the possibilities of accidents, incidents of pollution and security related issues, while ensuring fair financial returns for the investor/shipowner, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has undertaken to amend the STCW at the right time to make it relevant for today's needs while anticipating the future needs and requirements of shipping."So this Convention has to remain relevant to guarantee the competency of the world's seafarers bearing in mind that it is one of the four pillars of the international regulatory regime aimed at providing for quality shipping along with the SOLAS Convention, MARPOL and the Maritime Labour Convention.The workshop was led by IMO presenters ...

From STCW and MLC to Crew Competence in the future Capt John Dickie, Principal Consultant at JDass and Associates Ltd. , is giving a presentation regarding Human Element ;From STCW and MLC to Crew Competence in the future, during the 2nd Annual Safety4Sea Forum, Session 4The 2nd Safety4Sea Forum, a PRO BONO event, successfully completed on 5th of October 2011 in Athens, covering a wide range in QHSE issues.The event has been attended by over 340 delegates at the venue representing more than 170 companies, plus more than 100 persons watching live streaming. The event organized by IBS Marine Consulting Group and sponsored by Aspida Maritime Security, Dorian Hellas, Transmar Shipping and Lloyd's Register and supported by BIMCO, Intermanager, SaveOurSeafarers campaign, Steamship Mutual, Green Award, Cardiff University, ELNAVI, NAFTIKA XRONIKA, Tanker Operator, Shipmanagement International and Marintech NewsFor more information about the Forum visithttp://www.safety4sea.com/forum/2For more information about Safety4Sea visit the official site http://www.safety4sea.com

Issue of Seafarer's Identification and Sea Service Record Books Department of Merchant Shipping Lemesos issues circular regarding International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, STCW 78, as Amended- Issue of Seafarer's Identification and Sea Service Record Books and Endorsements Attesting the Recognition of Non Cyprus Certificate, as follows :I refer to the above subject and further to our circulars No. 14/2001 dated 29 June 2001, 26/2001 dated 19/12/2001, 3/2006 dated 25/01/2006, 13/2007 dated 21/05/2007 and 12/2011 dated 28/03/2011, I wish to inform that the list of Countries whose certificates of competency are presently recognised by the Republic of Cyprus is as per attached document.For more details, click hereSource: Department of Merchant Shipping Lemesos

STCW will include higher standards for medical fitness, fitness for duty and alcohol abuse On 14 September the European Commission adopted a proposal to amend existing Directive 2008/106/EC on the minimum level of training of seafarers to bring it in line with the recently updated International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).The 2007 so-called Manila Amendments to the STCW include higher standards for medical fitness, fitness for duty and alcohol abuse, new professional profiles and security training for seafarers. The new international standard will be applicable from 1 January 2012. The main purpose of the review of Directive 2008/106/EC is therefore to ensure a uniform application of the updated STCW by the EU Member States. The proposed implementation deadline at EU level is on 31 December 2012.Siim Kallas, Commission Vice-President in charge of Transport, said: "As maritime transport is a global industry, it is vital to also set minimum standards for training on an international scale." This statement is also reflected in the actual proposal, which is to the largest extent a one-to-one transposition of the Manila Amendments into EU law.Furthermore, the Commission proposal suggests moderate changes to existing European provisions concerning the recognition of ...

Training in line with recently updated international rules The European Commission has adopted a proposal to bring the European Union directive on the training of seafarers in line with recently updated international rules. International rules set minimum standards, while EU rules ensure their enforcement in the EU.The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the "STCW Convention") was concluded in 1978 among the countries that are members of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), a UN agency.The convention deals with the requirements for training of seafarers (mainly officers) and the relevant certification. The convention was integrated into EU law for the first time in the 1990s and updated later when the convention was amended.In 2007 the IMO launched a review of the STCW Convention, which resulted in the adoption of a series of significant amendments. These so-called "Manila amendments" to the convention concern:updated standards for medical fitness, fitness for duty and alcohol abuse;introduction of new professional profiles: "able seafarers" and "electro-technical officers";security-related training for all seafarers;simpler and clearer types of certificates.After 1 January 2012 seafarers will have to be trained according to the new standards.EU Member States are also parties to the STCW Convention. Therefore, the proposal ...

Selecting the right candidate for maritime firms It may soon be time for CET (Common Entrance Test) to step down! This is because 'Behavioral Competencies' is set to take its place especially for selecting the right candidate for maritime firms and other organizations. Synergistic Solutions which is committed to enhancing organizational and individual productivity, conducted a seminar bringing into focus performance that will finally leads to competence viz. "unconscious performance of a stated desirable act.According to Synergistic Solutions, headed by Capt Ajay Achuthan, the shipping community has so far been used to referring to STCW code for the Desired Functions, tasks and acts, and the examination system of the Mercantile Marine Department / Director General of Shipping, government of India, has created a control measure for the assessment, and finally certification of candidates.According to international research this certification only contributes for 7% to 8% of the overall competence of an employee and as much as 65% is provided by Behavioral Competencies.These factors were lucidly brought out in various presentations made at the seminar on "Demystifying Behavioral Competencies" wherein heads of leading manning, ship management companies and training institutes participated in big numbers.The seminar was enriching because it took on a ...

Up to 500,000 seafarers will require training over the next few years Hamburg-based online simulation training company Safebridge says that it has reached agreement with Raytheon Anschütz to offer online, type-specific ECDIS training based on Raytheon Anschütz's own software.Safebridge was created to meet the demand for ECDIS training contained in the new STCW 2012 and ISM Code regulations. According to Safebridge director Prof Capt Ralph Becker-Heins, it is estimated that up to 500,000 seafarers will require training over the next few years. More critically, around 75,000 seafarers require training in the short-term given that existing installations will become the prime navigation device and the first new build ships in the progressive phase-in period, cruise and other passenger vessels, are required to conform from July 2012.By signing co-operation agreements with manufacturers, to use their ECDIS software for simulation purposes, Safebridge claims to ensure that seafarers have access to training before joining ship and can easily re-train on the specific installed equipment.Source: The Motorship

An EU initiative for the promotion of maritime training EMSA announced that as of 31 July 2011, EMSA's STCW information system (STCW-IS) is available on-line for public consultation.Relevant information on EU's maritime administrations, maritime education, training, certification systems and training institutions as well as EU approved programmes and courses, and career progression schemes available in the EU Member States, can be found.Through a simple interface, the use can browse into specific information about three areas, namely:CountriesThis section contains information about the Parties to the STCW Convention that are recognised by each country, the number of dispensations issued per year, the legislation through which the STCW Convention was implemented at country level, and the career paths for maritime education, training and certification can be found.AdministrationThis section contains details of the quality management system in place (if any),contact information for all entities involved in the implementation of the STCW Convention in each country, and the type of certificates of competency issued by those entities can be found.And Maritime education and training institutionsThis section contains details of the quality management system in place (if any), contact information and structure of the maritime training institutions available in each country, their maritime education and training ...