The STCW Convention and Code
One of the four pillars of maritime legislation.
At the time of the the 1978 International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), individual governments set the required standard for their seafarers. This led to an international industry with wildly different basic standards from country to country.
The Convention laid out minimum standards for training, certification and watchkeeping, which countries had to either meet or exceed.
The Convention has been updated several times, with the most significant update being the 2010 Manila Amendments. The latest update was in 2018; this included new mandatory minimum training requirements for masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters, and an extension of emergency training for personnel on passenger ships.
Ships will usually keep a copy of the consolidated edition on the bridge; this includes the latest versions of both the convention and the code.
Relevant documents and M-notices: STCW convention, STCW Code, MSN 1856, MSN 1865, Government guidance on the Manila amendments
How does this apply to the UK?
The STCW convention is made into UK law under The Merchant Shipping (Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping) Regulations 2022.
Education and training programmes leading to the issue of Certificates of Competency are approved by the MCA. The MCA ensures that each programme meets the STCW regulatory requirements. The MCA monitors and audits all nautical colleges that offer training and education leading to the issue of an STCW Certificate of Competency.
Who does the convention apply to?
The Convention applies to ships of states that are parties to the STCW convention (over 99% of world shipping) at all times, and to ships of states that are not parties to the Convention when they are visiting ports of states that are.
What does the convention consist of and what does it cover?
The STCW Convention consists of eight chapters. Their titles and some notes on the regulations most likely to come up in an exam are given below.
Chapter I: General provisions
Regulation I/9 Medical standards - The UK meets this requirement by ensuring all seafarers have valid ENG1 Certificates.
Regulation I/10 Recognition of certificates - The UK recognises foreign Certificates of Competency by issuing a Certificate of Equivalent Competency.
Chapter II: Master and deck department
This contains five regulations, covering mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of rating, OOW, mate and master CoCs
Chapter III: Engine department
This contains seven regulations, covering mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of engine rating and officer CoCs.
Chapter IV: Radiocommunication and radio operators
Mandatory minimum requirements for certification of GMDSS radio operators.
Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships
If the examiner puts you as master on a specific type of ship and then asks questions regarding signing on a new crew member, remember to mention the certificates for the specific type of ship. For a passenger ship the certificates required depend on whether the person has assigned duties. Signing on a new crew member, including checking their certification, will be covered in a separate article, linked here when published.
Regulation V/1-1 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers and ratings on oil tankers - The MCA meet these requirements by requiring basic and advanced tanker familiarisation training. This covers oil and chemical tankers.
Regulation V/1-2 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers and ratings on liquefied gas tankers.
Regulation V/2 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on passenger ships
V/2.5 - Passenger ship emergency familiarisation.
V/2.6 - Safety training.
V/2.7 - Personnel with designated duties on the muster list must have crowd management training
V/2.8 - Personnel with designated duties on the muster list must have crisis management and human behaviour training
V/2.9 - Personnel with responsibilities for embarking and discharging passengers and loading/discharging cargoes must have training in passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity
Regulation V/3 - Mandatory minimum requirements for training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF code
The IGF code is The International Code of Safety for Ships Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels. This regulation requires similar training and certification to that required by V/1 and V/2.
Regulation V/4 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar waters
V/4.1 - Certificates in basic training for ships operating in polar waters
V/4.3 - Masters and chief mates must hold certificates in advanced training for ships operating in polar waters
Polar waters are generally defined as (for the Antarctic) waters south of 60°S. For the Arctic, the definition is more complex, including areas north of specific boundaries, considering ice coverage and environmental sensitivity, but generally north of around 60° N
Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions
Regulation VI/1 - Mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarisation basic training. This covers the requirement for familiarisation training before taking over duties onboard.
Regulation VI/2 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats, and fast rescue boats. This covers two STCW courses:
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (other than Fast Rescue Boats)
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats
Regulation V/3 - Mandatory minimum requirements for training in advanced firefighting
Regulation V/4 - Mandatory minimum requirements relating to medical first aid and medical care
Regulation VI/5 - Mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency for ships security officers
Regulation VI/6 - Mandatory minimum requirements for security-related training and instructions for all seafarers
Chapter VII: Alternative certification
Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping
Regulation VIII/1 - Fitness for duty. This requires that the administration establish and enforce rest periods, and that watch systems are arranged to avoid fatigue. This also lays down the requirement for drug and alcohol testing.
Regulation VIII/2 - Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed. This regulation points companies, masters etc. at the guidance given in the Code. It lays down the rules regarding watches:
The officer in charge of the navigational watch is responsible for navigating the ship during their hours of duty
Radio operators are responsible for maintaining a continuous radio watch
Watches are maintained when the ship is at anchor or moored
The STCW Code
The STCW convention contains basic requirements, which are enlarged upon and explained by the Code.
The STCW code consists of Part A and Part B:
Part A is mandatory. This lays out the minimum standards of competence required by seagoing personnel in a series of tables. Part A is mapped to the convention; details on the courses required by the convention's regulation VI/1 are enlarged upon by the code’s chapter VI, section 1. It covers:
Eyesight, physical fitness, hearing and colour vision
Re-validation of CoCs
STCW refresher courses
Detailed minimum standards of competence for issue of deck officer, engineering officer, deck rating and engine rating certificates
Detailed scope of safety familiarisation training
Section A-VIII/2 - Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed, part 4 - watchkeeping at sea
This is an excellent guide to good practice when keeping a navigational watch. It should be read in detail, along with MGN 315.
Part B of the Code is recommended guidance.
Refresher training
Section A-1/11 of the code lay down the requirements for refresher training.
Refresher training is required for the following courses, at intervals of not more than five years:
Personal Survival Techniques
Fire Prevention and Firefighting
Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats (PSC & RB)
Proficiency in Advanced Firefighting
Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats
MCAQs:
What are the chapters of the STCW convention?
Explain how you would use the STCW code parts A and B?
Which STCW courses/certificates are required under Chapter VI?