ASSESSMENT, EXAMINATION AND

CERTIFICATION OF SEAFARERS
(IMO MODEL COURSE 3.12)

INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS

“ WE ARE ALWAYS MUCH BETTER PLEASED TO ALL THOSE

WHOM WE HAVE OBLIGED, THAN THOSE WHO HAVE OBLIGE
US ...”
 INTERNATIONAL OBLIGATIONS

 Training and certification of seagoing personnel are

contained in the following “International
Instruments”
 1. STCW ’78, as amended 1995 and 2010

 2. STW Conference Resolutions 1995 and 2010

 3. SOLAS Conventions

 4. MARPOL Conventions I, II, III, IV, V, VI

 5. ITU Radio Regulations

 6. IMO Assembly Resolutions

 7. IBC and IGC Code

 8. ILO Maritime Super Convention 2006
 9. Certification of Fishermen
 INTERNATIONAL INSTRUMENTS

General Objectives:

 To establish global standard of Safety and

Pollution Prevention
 To Assess and Validate the Competence of
Seafarers
 To issue and authoritative documents to
seafarers –
- for Employment
- for Port State Control
 IMO STW Conference Resolutions

 Conference Resolutions adopted in the 1995

Amendments and 2010 Manila Amendments
 Represent global opinion on matters dealt with

 At least 24 STW Resolutions adopted in the ‘95

revisions
 Significant Resolutions adopted in 2010 Manila
Amendments:
 Expression of appreciation to the host govt.
o Transitional provision and early implementation
o Verifications of certificates of competency and
endorsements
• Promotion of technical knowledge, skills and
professionalism of seafarers
• Development of guidelines to implement international
standards on medical fitness
• Revisions of existing model courses published by the
IMO and development of new model course
• Promotion of technical cooperation
• Attracting new entrants to, and retaining seafarers in
the maritime profession
• Accommodation of trainees
• Promotion of the participation of women in the maritime
industry
• Future amendments and review of the STCW
Convention and Code
• Contribution of the ILO
• Role of WMU and IMO International Maritime
Law Institute and International maritime Safety,
Security and Environment Academy (IMSSEA) in
promoting enhance maritime standards
• Year of Seafarer; and
• Day of Seafarer
STCW Conference Resolutions- are adopted in various
amendments to Annexes, Codes and Provisions of
the Revised STCW
 ITU RADIO REGULATIONS

 Provisions of the Regulations govern the use of

radio spectrum

 International Telecommunication Union (ITU) – a

specialized UN Agency and responsible for:
- all telecommunication matters

- management of radio spectrum

 INMARSAT – International Maritime Satellite
organization established in 1979

 WMO – World Meteorological Organization

Establishment of sensing system and
applications for meteorological and
environmental observation for climate
monitoring- disaster risk reduction
 ITU – International Telecommunication Union-
Coordinates the Standards of Communication.
The standardization dates back in 1865.
Became the Specialized Agency of the UN in
1947
 IHO – International Hydrographic Organization
Established in 1921 to support safety in
navigation and the protection of marine
environment, and Radio Navigational Warning
implemented by GMDSS
 ITU RADIO REGULATIONS

 IMO, ITU, INMARSAT, WMO, IHO

- decided to improve distress and safety radio
communications and procedures and improve safety
of life at sea:
- Establish a new global maritime distress
system
- Co-ordinate with search and rescue
infrastructure
- Incorporate recent technical developments
 ITU RADIO REGULATIONS

GMDSS – Global communication service

 Based upon automated system

 Both satellite (INMARSAT) and terrestrial
 Provide distress alerting
 Promulgation of maritime safety information
 GMDSS as part of the Regulations
- revised Chapter IV

 In force – Feb. 1, 1999 and applicable to:

- Cargo ships of 300 GT and upwards
- Passenger ships irrespective of their GT
 IMO ASSEMBLY RESOLUTION A. 703 (17)

 Annex 3 – Recommendation on the training of radio

personnel related to the General Operator’s
Certificate (GOC). IMO Model Course 1.25

 Annex 4 – Recommendation on the training of radio

operators related to Restricted Operator’s
Certificate (ROC) – IMO Model Course 1.26)
 IMO ASSMEBLY RESOLUTIONS

 Other Resolutions integrated in the STCW ’78 as

amended:
1- A .89 (IV) – Training of seafarers
2- A.124 (V) – Recommendation on crew training
3. A.188 (VI) – Training of Masters, Officers and
crew
4. A.286 (VIII)- Training and qualifications for
personnel on ships carrying hazardous or noxious
chemicals in bulk
5. A.437 (13) – Personnel training on ships carrying
hazardous substances in solid form in bulk or
package form
6. A.657 (16) – Instructions for action in survival
craft
 IBC AND IGC CODES

 IBC Code - ships carrying dangerous chemicals in

bulk
Chapter 16 – Personnel Training

 IGC Code – ships carrying liquefied gases in bulk

Chapter 18 – Personnel Training
 IBC AND IGC CODES

 Personnel Training:

- Use of protective equipment

- Procedure under emergency conditions
- Handling procedures – those involved in cargo
operations
- Training for officers in emergency and first aid
procedures to deal with conditions of leakage
spillage or fire involving cargo
 IBC and IGC CODES

 STCW ’78 as Amended – Regulation V/I

 Section A – V/1.15 : Chemical Tanker Training

(IMO Model Course 1.04)
 Section A – V/1.22 : Liquefied Gas Tanker

(IMO Model Course 106)

 SOLAS CONVENTION

 The SOLAS convention requirements are compatible

with the ITU and IMO conventions.
 Until Feb. 1999 – the requirements concerning
radiotelegraphy and radiotelephony watches on non-
GMDSS ship are set out in SOLAS Reg. IV/6, IV/7 and IV/8
 The 1998 Amendment to SOLAS – states that:

 The radio watchkeeping requirements for GMDSS ship will

be contained in SOLAS Reg. IV/12
 The requirements for personnel qualified for GMDSS distress
and safety communication purposes will be contained in
SOLAS Reg. IV/16
The Maritime Labor “Super”Convention, 2006

 Full steam ahead! ILO adopts "super Convention" for the

maritime sector
 The Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 – HIGHLIGHTS
 The maritime industry is highly globalized.
 It is the first global workforce. No matter what flag they fly
or port they call home, ships roam the world's oceans,
 Largely staffed by seafarers drawn from many different
countries, and, in particular, from less developed economies.
 Today, ships haul some 90 per cent of world trade.
 Without ship-owners and seafarers there would be no
globalization as we know it today.
 
 New Maritime Labor Convention, 2006- Main
Features

 The new Convention provides an innovative, integrated

approach to ensuring decent work for all seafarers,
 Wherever they come from and whatever the national flag of
the ship on which they work. The ILO constituents have
recognized that poor working conditions and quality shipping
cannot go together.
 They have put a socio-economic floor to global competition
in the maritime sector. This competition will continue, but it
will be based on fair, well-conceived common rules for fair
competition and on cooperation to ensure that they are
followed.
 Flexibility is provided for national authorities to
exempt from some aspects of the Convention smaller
ships (200 gross tonnage and below) that do not go on
international voyages. Also, the Convention does not
apply to:
 ships which navigate exclusively in inland waters or waters
within, or closely adjacent to, sheltered waters or areas where
port regulations apply;
 ships engaged in fishing;
 ships of traditional build such as dhows and junks; and
 warships or naval auxiliaries.
 The new provisions regarding the maritime sector?

 It consists of the basic provisions, i.e. the Articles and

Regulations, followed by a two-part Code.
 The Regulations and the Code, the latter containing
Standards and Guidelines, are organized under the
following five Titles:

 1: Minimum requirements for seafarers to work on a

ship;
 2: Conditions of employment;
 3: Accommodation, recreational facilities, food and
catering;

 4: Health protection, medical care, welfare and social

security protection; and;

 5: Compliance and enforcement. There is also an

Explanatory Note to further assist member States in
implementing the Convention. Other innovations are
found in the accelerated amendment procedures and
the system for the certification of ships.
 International Convention on Standards of Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Personnel
(STCW-F)

 The General Conference of the International Labour

Organization,
 C188 Work in Fishing Convention, 2007

Objective of this Convention is to ensure that fishers

have decent conditions of work on board fishing
vessels with regard to minimum requirements for
work on board; conditions of service;
accommodation and food; occupational safety and
health protection; medical care and social security,
and
 THANK YOU

Dr. Christopher P. Maambong,