IMO makes 'significant' amendments to seafarer training convention
The IMO has confirmed a number of changes to the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping. These changes will come into effect on 1 January 2012.…
On 1 July 2011 a number of significant amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) were approved by the International Maritime Organization (IMO). These changes will now come into effect on 1 January 2012.
The intention of the IMO is to ensure that all seafarers are correctly trained and equipped to go to sea. The new measures include better prevention of fraudulent certification; revised working hours; enhanced medical requirements; ECDIS requirements; marine environmental awareness standards; security provisions and measures to increase awareness of illegal activity.
These changes to the convention have relevance to superyacht crews and their training requirements as Tom Westwood, Technical Editor at regulatory consultancy regs4ships, explained:
“This revised STCW convention and code will affect superyacht crews and their training, certification and watchkeeping in the same way as it would affect other seafarers. They are all mandatorily governed by Chapter VI (Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions). However, only those serving on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more will follow Chapter II (Master and deck department).”
Perusing the extensive list of amendments, one that stands out in the context of the superyacht industry is the following:
Revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers.
At first glance, this vaguely worded 'standard' appears difficult to practically enforce. Synfo.com asked Westwood how much difference it would really make to the routines of crew members:
"[In terms of hours of work] the changes are really an expansion and explanation of the standards already prescribed. They do better describe the hours to be observed and the exemptions allowable. But fundamentally remain at the same basic level of work/rest. So I would not foresee them affecting currently acceptable watch patterns.
"[In terms of drug and alcohol abuse] alcohol limits are down, but this is a ‘no greater than’ limit that the administration would use to set its limit and is designed to stop alcohol abuse. This topic falls into the non-mandatory ‘guidance’, designed to encourage the administration to regulate with its own legislation. This shouldn’t really make much difference in the sense that it is already very low and mariners will be aware of the dangers involved in second guessing ‘blood alcohol content’. Administrations are advised to ensure abuse is prevented, this is extended to include those whose duties involve “designated safety, prevention of pollution and security duties”. So a superyacht could see many other crew members fall into this category should the administration stipulate this."
Westwood explained that the amendments made to the convention were an attempt to raise standards, rather than constrain efficient crews:
"As always this type of convention/code seeks to raise the standards of those not operating at the top of their game, first rate operators under white list flags will likely have little to learn from them and already be compliant. The changes to STCW expand upon the details present before and seek to exclude doubt on these matters and the biggest changes over this transitional period will likely come from flag administrations seeking to stipulate tougher standards."
WM
Related Links
Regs4yachts Profile | Regs4yachts Website
The intention of the IMO is to ensure that all seafarers are correctly trained and equipped to go to sea. The new measures include better prevention of fraudulent certification; revised working hours; enhanced medical requirements; ECDIS requirements; marine environmental awareness standards; security provisions and measures to increase awareness of illegal activity.
These changes to the convention have relevance to superyacht crews and their training requirements as Tom Westwood, Technical Editor at regulatory consultancy regs4ships, explained:
“This revised STCW convention and code will affect superyacht crews and their training, certification and watchkeeping in the same way as it would affect other seafarers. They are all mandatorily governed by Chapter VI (Emergency, occupational safety, security, medical care and survival functions). However, only those serving on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more will follow Chapter II (Master and deck department).”
Perusing the extensive list of amendments, one that stands out in the context of the superyacht industry is the following:
Revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers.
At first glance, this vaguely worded 'standard' appears difficult to practically enforce. Synfo.com asked Westwood how much difference it would really make to the routines of crew members:
"[In terms of hours of work] the changes are really an expansion and explanation of the standards already prescribed. They do better describe the hours to be observed and the exemptions allowable. But fundamentally remain at the same basic level of work/rest. So I would not foresee them affecting currently acceptable watch patterns.
"[In terms of drug and alcohol abuse] alcohol limits are down, but this is a ‘no greater than’ limit that the administration would use to set its limit and is designed to stop alcohol abuse. This topic falls into the non-mandatory ‘guidance’, designed to encourage the administration to regulate with its own legislation. This shouldn’t really make much difference in the sense that it is already very low and mariners will be aware of the dangers involved in second guessing ‘blood alcohol content’. Administrations are advised to ensure abuse is prevented, this is extended to include those whose duties involve “designated safety, prevention of pollution and security duties”. So a superyacht could see many other crew members fall into this category should the administration stipulate this."
Westwood explained that the amendments made to the convention were an attempt to raise standards, rather than constrain efficient crews:
"As always this type of convention/code seeks to raise the standards of those not operating at the top of their game, first rate operators under white list flags will likely have little to learn from them and already be compliant. The changes to STCW expand upon the details present before and seek to exclude doubt on these matters and the biggest changes over this transitional period will likely come from flag administrations seeking to stipulate tougher standards."
WM
Related Links
Regs4yachts Profile | Regs4yachts Website
NEW: Sign up for SuperyachtNewsweek!
Get the latest weekly news, in-depth reports, intelligence, and strategic insights, delivered directly from The Superyacht Group's editors and market analysts.
Stay at the forefront of the superyacht industry with SuperyachtNewsweek
Click here to become part of The Superyacht Group community, and join us in our mission to make this industry accessible to all, and prosperous for the long-term. We are offering access to the superyacht industry’s most comprehensive and longstanding archive of business-critical information, as well as a comprehensive, real-time superyacht fleet database, for just £10 per month, because we are One Industry with One Mission. Sign up here.
NEW: Sign up for
SuperyachtNewsweek!
Get the latest weekly news, in-depth reports, intelligence, and strategic insights, delivered directly from The Superyacht Group's editors and market analysts.
Stay at the forefront of the superyacht industry with SuperyachtNewsweek
