On June 25th, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and other major stakeholders in the

global shipping and manning industry formally ratified the so-called "Manila Amendments" to the

current Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

(STCW) and its associated Code.

The Convention amendments are set to enter into force on January 1, 2012 under the tacit

acceptance procedure and are aimed at bringing the STCW up to date with developments since

its conception and initial adoption in 1978, and the subsequent amendments in 1995. It should be

noted that the Coast Guard had not yet committed to this or any other time frame yet.

The following is what we can probably expect from the amendments to the STCW convention:

Improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and

strengthen the evaluation process (monitoring of Parties’ compliance with the Convention).

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.

Security Training:

The amendments will include three levels of security training

• Level One - Security Awareness (All crew members)

• Level Two - Person with Security Duties

• Level Three - Ship Security Officer – ISPS Code

Anti Piracy training will be added to each level as well.

Marine Environmental Issues:

The amendments will include the addition of marine environmental awareness issues in the

Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities course conducted as part of Basic Safety Training

as well as an operational level of marine environmental concerns at the STCW Code A-II/1

and A-III/1 levels of Certification. The Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities (PSSR)

coverage of the following subjects will be added:

These additional subjects will make the PSSR module longer in length but it should still be

less than one day in length. However, this will cause an increase in the length of Basic

Safety Training courses from the usual five days to at least 5.5 days.

In addition, each Tankerman category will have two levels

• Basic (currently called assistant)

• Advanced (currently called Person in Charge (PIC)

The major change will be the division of the chemical from the oil and each requiring its own

sea service prerequisites on each type of vessel and specific training for each. Additionally,

there will be a specially designated Tanker Fire Fighting Course, although the Coast Guard

believes that most approved Basic Fire Fighting courses will cover this requirement.

There will be a new section with guidance on special licensing or training requirements for

OSVs, Dynamic Positioning (DP) Vessels and vessels operating in water that are covered

in Ice.

Chapter Three of STCW is the section on Engineering. The principal change in Chapter III

is the addition of an Able Seafarer – Engine Rating. This is separate from the Rating

Forming Part of an Engineering Watch. In the U.S. System, we have always had Qualified

Member of the Engineering Department (QMED) ratings.

be added. We understand that the United States will not be making this a priority.

Engine Room Resource Management, Teamwork and Leadership training will be

mandatory at both the operational and management levels.

Chapter Two is the section on the deck department. The principal change in Chapter II is

the addition of an Able Seafarer – Deck Rating.

This is separate from the Rating Forming Part of a Navigational Watch (RFPNW). In the

U.S. System, we have always had an Able Seaman Endorsement available for domestic

certification and now it will be the upgrade from the RFPNW level which will be the required

prerequisite to an STCW Compliant Rating.

Based on sea time requirements, it will be critical for a mariner to get their RFPNW

qualification as early in their career as possible. Sea time toward an AB qualification will

not start until RFPNW qualifications have been met and any sea time toward subsequent

licenses will require the AB endorsement. This will require training and testing and will be

a new section called A-II/5.

Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) will be required training for all

deck officers on all vessels that are equipped with ECDIS. ECDIS will be treated the same

as ARPA or the GMDSS training, where it is an STCW restriction from serving on equipped

vessels if you don’t have these training certifications.

By 2012 nearly all vessels more than 200 gross tons will be required under a separate law

to have ECDIS equipment. By default, any deck officer on vessels of more than 200 tons

will need ECDIS training. There will be two levels of ECDIS, operational and management

dealing with the different responsibilities of each.

The Coast Guard believes it can make a reduction of training requirements in two areas:

required

single letters, S.O.S., etc.

Bridge Resource Management, Teamwork and Leadership training will be mandatory at

both the operational and management levels. This has been required in the U.S. since 2002

anyway.