STCW Requirements for ships operating in Polar

Regions now effective

From 1st of July 2018, amendments related to revised
training requirements for Masters and Deck Officers
onboard ships operating in Polar Water have come into
force. Namely, the STCW has been amended with a new
regulation V/4 , according to which, two main trainings

are defined: the basic and the advance training.

The safety of ships operating in challenging polar areas and the protection of the pristine
environments in the Arctic and Antarctic region have always been key issues in IMO’s
agenda. Thus, the Polar Code entered into force on 1st of January 2017, to address
important issues in the range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training
and environmental protection.
Chapter 12 of the Code on manning and training says that companies must ensure that
masters, chief mates and officers in charge of a navigational watch on board ships
operating in polar waters have completed appropriate training, taking into account the
provisions of the STCW and its related STCW Code.
The mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and
deck officers on ships operating in polar waters were adopted by IMO’s MSC in
November 2016. From 1st of July 2018, these have become mandatory under the
STCW Convention and the STCW Code.

Two types of training & certification requirements

1. Basic Certificate of Proficiency
The basic training is applicable for masters, chief mates and officers in charge of a
navigational watch on ships operating in polar waters. They have to do an approved
basic training course in order to apply for a Certificate of Proficiency (CoP).

2. Advanced Certificate of Proficiency

The advanced training is applicable for masters and chief mates on ships operating in
polar waters. They have to have a basic certificate, at least two months of approved
seagoing service in the deck department at management level or while performing
watchkeeping duties in the operational level and of course completed the advanced
training course.

The following table summarizes the appropriate level of training required by the Polar
Code., as per paragr. 12.3.1 of the Code.
 Source: ICS

Transitional period until July 2020

Until 1st July 2020, seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar
waters prior to 1st July 2018 will be considered as having met the requirements of a
basic training either by:

 Having completed approved seagoing service on board ships operating in polar waters, performing
duties in the deck department at the operational or management level, for a period of at least three
months in total during the preceding five years; OR

 Having successfully completed a training course meeting the training guidance established by the
IMO (section B-V/g of the STCW Code) for ships operating in polar waters.

Until 1st July 2020, seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service in polar
waters prior to 1st July 2018 will be considered as having met the requirements of an
advanced training either by:

 Having completed approved sea service of at least three months at the management level, during
the preceding five (5) years on board ships operating In polar waters; OR

 Having successfully completed a training course meeting the training guidance established by the
IMO (section B-V/g of the STCW Code) for ships operating in polar waters and having completed
approved seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar waters, performing duties in the deck
 department at the management level, for a period of at least two (2) months in total during the
preceding five (5) year.

In an informative guidance for the training requirements for ships operating in polar
water, ICS advises the following key steps to be considered by the shipping organization
in order to ensure applicable personnel are properly qualified and certificated:

√ Identify the manning and training requirements as per Chapter 12 (Polar Code) and
Regulation V/4 ( STCW);
√ Identify whether personnel completing training courses/programmes meeting the
provisions of the guidance found in Section B-V/g of the STCW Code (e.g. existing
national training courses/programmes) would be sufficient training for service on ships
operating in polar waters;
√ Identify the Masters and deck officers on board their ships that will be required to be
qualified and certificated in accordance with Regulation V/4 and identify the appropriate
levels of training, taking into account the specific ship types and operations;
√ Consider the existing training completed related to operations in polar waters,
certificates held or previous seagoing service by Masters and deck officer on board their
ships to identify those who may require further training and the appropriate qualification
routes to obtain the requisite certificates;
√ Consider approaches to ensuring applicable personnel are able to obtain the
approved seagoing service required for the appropriate certificate (either within polar
waters or equivalent approved seagoing service);
√ Consider existing or introduce arrangements or procedures for Masters and deck
officers on board ships to record relevant seagoing service (within polar waters or
equivalent approved seagoing service) and experience;
√ Consider the availability of approved training courses and issuance of certificates,
consulting with the relevant Administrations and training providers, as necessary, to
ensure the timely approval and availability of courses;
√ Facilitate the attendance of applicable personnel at training courses and completion of
relevant seagoing service and experience to meet the requirements for certification; and
√ Consult with Administrations on the use of a person(s) other than the Master, chief
mate or officers of the navigational watch to satisfy the requirements for training (i.e. an
ice navigator) under the Polar Code, such as in view of the particular operations of their
ships in polar waters or if difficulties are envisaged for applicable personnel to obtain the
requisite certificates.
OBJECTIVES
– Contributing to the operational safety of vessels operated in polar
regions
–Monitoring and ensuring the conformity to legal requirements
–Observing safe occupational practices, taking actions in emergency
situations
–Ensuring the conformity to requirements related to the prevention of
pollution and avoiding hazards to the environment

Sailing in the Polar Region –

requirements for seafarers

Vessels sailing in cold conditions are affected by the Polar Code

which enters into force on 1st January 2017. Ship owners already
preparing for the new code will realise that besides technical
requirements also operational aspects have to be considered. One
of them is appropriate training for the crew.

The Polar Code is adopted by resolution MSC.385(94). The Polar

Code applies to the areas around Antarctica, south of latitude 60°S
and around the Arctic. In principle these are the waters north of latitude
60°N with the exemptions off the coast of Iceland and northern
Scandinavia as well as parts of Russia. A detailed definition is given in
SOLAS regulations XIV/1.2 and XIV/1.3.
What does the Polar Code define regarding manning and training?
This is answered in Chapter 12 of Part I-A Safety Measures. For the
details for the qualification the Polar Code refers to Chapter V of the
Convention and Code on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping (STCW). We will analyse this amended chapter later
below. The Polar Code sets the framework for the application who,
when and where needs to have which qualification. As normal
condition it is required that that the navigational watch officers,
including the master, have received sufficient training and following
this have a basic or advanced certificate of proficiency.
The requirements are separated between the ship types and the local
conditions they sail in. Depending if it is a tanker, a passenger ship or
another ship type and depending if the ship sails in ice free conditions
(not any kind of ice is present), in “open waters” (defined as navigable
water in which sea ice is less than 1/10) or in “other waters” (waters
others than ice free or open waters) they have different requirements
for training.
The easiest is the ice free condition where no certificate is required for
anybody.
In “open waters” only tanker and passenger ship’s navigational officers
on operational and management level need a basic training and the
appropriate certificate. When any ship enters “other waters” any
navigational officer must have received basic training and hold the
related certificate while masters and chief mates must have received
advanced training and holding the related certificate.
Does the Polar Code allow substituting certificate holders with
other personnel?
Yes, this is mentioned in Chapter 12.3.2 of the Polar Code: “the
administration may allow the use of a person(s) other than the master,
chief mate or officers […]” under certain conditions. These conditions
require that the other person is qualified as nautical officer according to
STCW (reg. II/2, section A-II/2). Therefore, only qualified nautical
officers may substitute the requirements.
Furthermore, it is required that enough persons on board must hold an
appropriate certificate in order to cover all watches. This means that
only one person alone cannot substitute several missing certificates.
There have to be enough persons to cover all watches, keeping in
mind the minimum hours of rest at all times.
Two special requirements apply in addition to the above. When
operating in waters other than open waters or bergy waters, the
master, chief mate and officers in charge of a navigational watch on
passenger ships and tankers shall meet the applicable basic training
requirements.
When operating in waters with an ice concentration of more than 2/10,
all nautical officers including the master on cargo ships other than
tankers shall meet the applicable basic training requirements.
Even having hired in additional persons to satisfy the requirements for
training does not relieve the master or officer of the navigational watch
from their duties and obligations for the safety of the ship.
What does STCW require the seafarer to do?
As defined in the Polar Code STCW sets the details of what should be
trained. Therefore, STCW will be amended with a new regulation V/4
on “mandatory minimum requirements for the training and
qualifications of masters and deck officers on ships operating in polar
waters” which is expected for entry into force on 1st July 2018
according to circular letter No 3641.
Who needs to do which training?
Following the Regulation V/4 there are two main trainings defined: The
basic and the advanced training.
The basic training is applicable for masters, chief mates and officers in
charge of a navigational watch on ships operating in polar waters.
They have to do an approved basic training course in order to apply for
a Certificate of Proficiency (CoP).
The advanced training is applicable for masters and chief mates on
ships operating in polar waters. They have to have a basic certificate,
at least two months of approved seagoing service in the deck
department at management level or while performing watchkeeping
duties in the operational level and of course completed the advanced
training course.
At intervals not exceeding five years every master or officer shall
establish continued professional competence. As for other
competencies this could be done by approved seagoing service or an
approved course or other means approved by the administration.
Are there transitional provisions?
If you are already an experienced sailor STCW has included
transitional provisions for the first two years after the entry into force
which will be then until 1st July 2020. Nautical officers may apply for
the basic certificate according to these transitional provisions if they
have approved seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar
waters or equivalent approved seagoing service for a period of at least
three months in total during the preceding five years; or have
successfully completed a training course meeting the training guidance
established by the organization for ships operating in polar waters.
This guidance is laid down in section B-V/g of the STCW Code.
For the advanced certificate seafarers may apply according to the
transitional provisions if they have approved seagoing service on board
a ship operating in polar waters or equivalent approved seagoing
service for a period of at least three months in total during the
preceding five years; or successfully completed a training course
meeting the training guidance established by the organization for ships
operating in polar waters (sec B-V/g) and having completed approved
seagoing service on board a ship operating in polar waters or
equivalent approved seagoing service, for a period of at least two
months in total during the preceding five years.
How to handle the two entry into force dates?
As the amendments to STCW enter into force only one and a half year
after the Polar Code enters into force it is strongly recommended to
consult the flag state if they aim for early implementation of the STCW
amendments and local port authorities to discuss a solution which is
accepted. For the flag state it may be considered that they refer to the
transitional provisions in order to issue certificates at least to existing
seafarers. Maybe they have approved also training in compliance with
the future regulation V/4 or with the guidance given in section B-V/g.
It is recommended to follow up the outcome of the next IMO meetings
in case additional guidance might be provided. An overview to latest
statutory technical and regulatory news can be found here:

Ships operating in the Arctic and Antarctic

environments are exposed to a number of
unique risks. Poor weather conditions and
the relative lack of good charts,
communication systems and other
navigational aids pose challenges for
seafarers.
Cold temperatures may reduce the effectiveness of numerous
components of the ship, ranging from deck machinery and
emergency equipment to sea suctions. When ice is present, it can
impose additional loads on the hull, propulsion system and
appendages.

This course provides training to navigation officers to operate ships

in polar waters and to address additional provisions deemed
necessary for consideration beyond existing requirements of the
SOLAS and MARPOL Conventions, in order to take into account the
climatic conditions of polar waters and to meet appropriate
standards of maritime safety and pollution prevention.
Goals and objectives
To promote safety of life and property at sea and the protection of
the marine environment by improving deck officer’s knowledge
operating in Polar Waters. More specifically, a participant
successfully completing this course will gain:

 Ability to contribute to safe operation of vessels in polar waters

 Understanding of ice characteristics and areas where different
types of ice can be expected in the area of operation
 Understanding of vessel performance in ice and low air temperature
 Understanding of safe operations and ship maneuverability in ice
 Awareness to monitor and ensure compliance with legislative
requirements
 Understanding to apply safe working practices and to respond to
emergencies
 Understanding and awareness of correct crew preparation, working
conditions and understanding the need to ensure compliance with
pollution prevention requirements and-
 Prevent environmental hazards, and
 Understanding skills to perform manoeuvres in order to safely
operate ships in polar waters.

The course is designed to meet the Mandatory minimum

requirements for the training and qualifications of masters and deck
officers on ships operating in polar waters in the STCW Code,
specifically the tables A.V/4-1 and A-V/4-2.

References
STCW including 2010 Manila amendments, 2017 edition. Specifically
the tables A.V/4-1 "Specification of minimum standard of
competence in basic training for ships operating in polar waters"
and A-V/4-2 "Specification of minimum standard of competence in
advanced training for ships operating in polar waters".

“https://www.dnvgl.com/maritime/technical-regulatory-news/
statutory.html”
https://safety4sea.com/cm-stcw-requirements-for-ships-operating-in-polar-regions-now-effective/