Loading…
The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, as amended, is the IMO instrument that sets the minimum competence requirements for seafarers worldwide. It is what makes a Filipino AB's certificate equally acceptable to a Greek shipowner, a Singaporean port state, and a Liberian flag — and what gives port-state inspectors the power to detain a ship whose officers cannot produce valid certificates.
STCW is structured as the Convention itself (the legal articles), the STCW Code Part A (mandatory standards), and Part B (recommended guidance). Flag states issue Certificates of Competency (CoCs) to officers and Certificates of Proficiency (CoPs) to ratings and to officers for specialist endorsements. Where a seafarer holds a CoC from one flag and works on a ship of another flag, the second flag issues an Endorsement Attesting Recognition (EAR) under Regulation I/10.
Definitions, application, communication of information, and Standards of Training (STA) — the "flag state’s confirmation that its CoCs meet STCW."
Mandatory minimum requirements for: OOW (II/1), Chief Mate and Master ≥ 500 GT (II/2 and II/2-equivalent), OOW under 500 GT (II/3), Ratings forming part of a navigational watch (II/4), Able Seafarer Deck (II/5).
OOW Engineer ≥ 750 kW (III/1), Chief and Second Engineer ≥ 3000 kW (III/2), OOW under 3000 kW (III/3), Ratings forming part of an engineering watch (III/4), Able Seafarer Engine (III/5), Electro-Technical Officer (III/6), Electro-Technical Rating (III/7).
GMDSS GOC (IV/2 General Operator's Certificate) and GMDSS ROC (Restricted Operator's Certificate, Sea Area A1 only).
Tanker familiarisation and advanced (V/1-1, V/1-2 oil/chemical/gas), Passenger ship crowd & crisis management (V/2), IGF Code training for low-flashpoint fuels (V/3), Polar Code training (V/4).
Basic Safety Training (VI/1 — PST, FPFF, EFA, PSSR), PSCRB and FRB (VI/2), Advanced Fire Fighting (VI/3), Medical First Aid and Medical Care (VI/4), Ship Security Officer (VI/5), Security awareness and designated security duties (VI/6).
Permits flag states to issue alternative certificates that combine deck and engine functions, provided the level of safety is at least equivalent.
Fitness for duty (rest hours: 10 in 24 / 77 in 7), watchkeeping arrangements, principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch, an engine watch, and a port watch.
Reorganised the Convention into a Convention plus a mandatory Code (Part A) and recommended guidance (Part B). Introduced White List of compliant administrations.
Major update: ECDIS competence, leadership and teamwork, Able Seafarer endorsements, Electro-Technical Officer (ETO), Polar Code training framework, refresher requirements clarified, security training requirements (post-ISPS).
Added explicit competencies for handling refrigerants and for enclosed-space entry and rescue (in response to repeated multi-fatality incidents).
Mandatory training for ships subject to the IGF Code (low-flashpoint fuels — LNG initially) and the Polar Code.
Interim guidance on competence for engineers operating UMS (unattended machinery space) installations from the bridge.
First end-to-end review of the Convention since 1995. Topics under negotiation include: dedicated bullying and harassment training (mandatory new module), updated tanker training, autonomous and remotely controlled ships (MASS), alternative fuels (ammonia, methanol, hydrogen), simulator-based assessment expanded, mental health and fitness-for-duty.
CoCs and most CoPs are valid for five years. Continued competence is demonstrated by either 12 months of approved sea service in the previous five years, or 3 months in the previous six months, plus refresher training where required. PSCRB / FRB / AFF require a practical refresher every five years; tanker advanced courses require recurrent training per IMO Model Course timelines. See the dedicated help topic on revalidation.
IMO MSC reviews each Party's implementation of STCW; those whose national legislation, training, certification, and oversight are independently audited as fully complying are included on the "White List" of confirmed parties. Most major flag states are White-Listed; failure to maintain status can lead to non-recognition of a flag's CoCs by trading partners.