Resolution MSC.66(68)

Adoption of Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STSW), 1978

(adopted on 4 June 1997)

THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,

RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization concerning the functions of the Committee,

RECALLING FURTHER article XII of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, hereinafter referred to as "the Convention", concerning the procedures for amending the Convention,

HAVING CONSIDERED resolution 6 of the 1995 Conference of Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention and relevant provisions addressing the training of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel serving on passenger ships,

HAVING ALSO CONSIDERED, at its sixty-eighth session, amendments to regulations V/2 and V/3 of the Convention proposed and circulated in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(i) thereof;

1.  ADOPTS, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(iv) of the Convention, amendments to the Convention, the text of which is set out in the Annex to the present Resolution:

2. DETERMINES, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(vii)2 of the Convention, that the amendments shall be deemed to have been accepted on 1 July 1998, unless, prior to that date, more than one third of Parties or Parties the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of the world's merchant shipping of ships of 100 gross register tons or more, have notified their objections to the amendments;

3. INVITES Parties the STCW Convention to note that, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(viii) of the Convention, the amendments shall enter into force on 1 January 1999 upon their acceptance in accordance with paragraph 2 above;

4. REQUESTS the Secretary-General, in conformity with article XII(1)(a)(v) of the Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present Resolution and the text of the amendments contained in the Annex to all Parties to the Convention;

5. FURTHER REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this Resolution and its Annex to Members of the Organization, which are not Parties to the Convention.

Annex.

AMENDMENTS TO CHAPTER V OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS (STCW), 1978

Regulation V/2.
Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ro-ro passenger ships

1. The following text is added at the end of paragraph 3:

"or be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years".

2. The following new regulation V/3 is added after existing regulation V/2:

"Regulation V/3.
Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers and ratings and other personnel on passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships.

1. This regulation applies to masters, officers, ratings and other personnel serving on-board passenger ships, other than ro-ro passenger ships, engaged on international voyages. Administrations shall determine the applicability of these requirements to personnel serving on passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages.

2. Prior to being assigned shipboard duties on board passenger ships, seafarers shall have completed the training required by paragraphs 4 to 8 below in accordance with their capacity, duties and responsibilities.

3. Seafarers who are required to be trained in accordance with paragraphs 4, 7 and 8 below shall, at intervals not exceeding five years, undertake appropriate refresher training or be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years.