MINIMUM TRAINING
REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL NOMINATED TO ASSIST PASSENGERS IN EMERGENCY
SITUATIONS ON PASSENGER SHIPS
(Adopted
on 26 November 1997)
THE
ASSEMBLY,
RECALLING
Article 15(j) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Assembly in relation to regulations and
guidelines concerning maritime safety,
CONSIDERING
regulation 111/10.2 of the amendments to chapter III of the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, (SOLAS), 1974, which requires that
there should be a sufficient number of trained persons on board ships for
mustering and assisting untrained persons,
CONVINCED
that training of personnel assigned specific duties in emergencies on passenger
ships carrying large numbers of passengers or ferries engaged in short
international voyages is essential,
NOTING
that regulations V/2 and V/3 of the 1995 amendments to the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers (STCW), 1978, contain provisions for the training and qualifications
of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ro-ro passenger ships and
on passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships,
NOTING
ALSO that regulations VI/1 and VI/2 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended,
provide for mandatory familiarization, basic safety training and instructions
for all seafarers and mandatory minimum requirements for the issue of
certificates of proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats and fast rescue boats,
RECALLING
regulation VI/3 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended in 1995, which provides
for mandatory minimum requirements for training in advanced fire-fighting for
seafarers designated to control fire-fighting operations,
RECALLING
ALSO regulation VI/4 of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, which provides
for mandatory minimum requirements relating to medical care for seafarers
designated to take charge of medical care on board ships,
HAVING
CONSIDERED the recommendation made by the Maritime Safety Committee at its
sixty-seventh session,
1.
ADOPTS the Recommendation on Minimum Training Requirements for Personnel
Nominated to Assist Passengers in Emergency Situations on Passenger Ships set
out in the annex to the present resolution;
2.
URGES Governments to implement the Recommendation;
3.
REVOKES resolution A.770(18).
RECOMMENDATION
ON MINIMUM TRAINING REQUIREMENTS FOR PERSONNEL NOMINATED TO ASSIST PASSENGERS
IN EMERGENCY SITUATIONS ON PASSENGER SHIPS
1.1
Personnel nominated on muster lists to assist passengers in emergency
situations should receive additional training to enable them to perform their
duties properly. The number of trained persons should always be sufficient to
assist the total number of passengers who may be on board at any one time. The
number of trained persons should be included on the ship's safe manning
document.
1.2
Where training is given in a shore-based training course, it should be
supplemented by shipboard training before assuming the duties referred to in
1.1. The training should be to the satisfaction of the Administration.
Administrations should establish some means of ensuring that crew members
maintain continued proficiency through periodic refresher training, drills or
related work experience.
1.3
Designated personnel should receive specific training in the assistance of
elderly or disabled persons and other persons needing special assistance.
1.4
Communication skills should be sufficient to assist passengers during an
emergency, taking into account the following criteria:
.1 the language or languages
appropriate to the principal nationalities of passengers carried on a
particular route;
.2 the likelihood that an
ability to use elementary English vocabulary for basic instructions can provide
a means of communicating with a passenger in need of assistance whether or not
the passenger and crew member share a common language;
.3 the possible need to
communicate during an emergency by some other means (e.g. by demonstration, or
hand signals, or calling attention to the location of instructions, muster
stations, life-saving devices or evacuation routes) when verbal communication
is impractical;
.4 the extent to which
complete safety instructions have been provided to passengers in their native
language or languages; and
.5 the languages in which
emergency announcements may be broadcast during an emergency or drill to convey
critical guidance to passengers and to facilitate crew members in assisting
passengers.
1.5 The training should
include but not necessarily be limited to the items listed below.
2.1
Awareness of life-saving appliance plans and fire control plans. Knowledge of
muster lists and emergency instructions, including:
.1 general alarms and
procedures for mustering of passengers, and
.2 areas of responsibility
with emphasis on "own section".
2.2
General layout of the ship, with special emphasis on location of muster and
embarkation stations, accesses and escape routes.
2.3
Assistance techniques, including how to guide and transport elderly or disabled
persons and other persons needing assistance.
2.4
Location and use of emergency equipment relevant to the duties in 1.1 with
emphasis on "own section" and escape routes therefrom.
2.5
The location and use of any specialized equipment that may be on board for the
purpose of assisting elderly or disabled persons, or other persons needing
special assistance.
2.6
The location and operation of any elevators that may be designated for use
during an emergency.
2.7
The location of any special muster stations or abandon ship stations that may
be designated for use in assisting elderly or disabled persons and persons
needing special assistance.
2.8
Location of adult and infant lifejackets.
2.9
Location of other evacuation supplies, e.g. blankets, to be taken to survival
craft.
2.10
Elementary first aid and transportation of casualties.
2.11
Communication:
.1 the use of internal
communication systems;
.2 raising the alarm;
.3 alerting the passengers;
and
.4 reporting and
notification.
2.12
Evacuation:
.1 the use of passenger
lists or counts;
.2 the alarm signals;
.3 mustering; importance of
keeping order and panic-avoidance procedures;
.4 emergency exits;
.5 evacuation equipment;
.6 control of passengers in
corridors, staircases and passageways;
.7 keeping escape routes
clear of obstructions;
.8 assistance en route to
muster and embarkation station;
.9 methods available for
evacuation of disabled persons and persons needing special assistance;
.10 restrictions on the use
of elevators;
.11 search of accommodation
spaces; and
.12 ensuring that the
passengers are suitably clothed and have donned their lifejackets correctly.
2.13
Fire situations:
.1 fire detection and
initial containment;
.2 raising the alarm;
.3 danger of smoke
inhalation; and
.4 breathing protection.
2.14
Abandon ship situations:
.1 correct use of individual
survival equipment, e.g., lifejackets, immersion suits, lifebuoys, light and
smoke signals, etc.; and
.2 need for assistance to
special cases.