STCW.6/Circ.5 International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978

Circular Letter STCW.6/Circ.5

INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION OF STANDARDS OF TRAINING, CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING FOR SEAFARERS, 1978

(adopted on 25 May 2000)

Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watchkeeping Code

1. The Maritime Safety Committee, at its seventy-second session (17 to 26 May 2000) adopted amendments to part B of the STCW Code as follows:

1. Insert new paragraph 1 to section B-I/7 as follows:

"1. Parties are encouraged, when communicating information in accordance with article IV and regulation I/7 of the Convention, to include an index specifically locating the required information as follows:

Index of Materials submitted in accordance
with article IV and regulation I/7 of the STCW Convention

	Location
Article IV of the STCW Convention:

1. Text of laws, decrees, orders, regulations and instruments (article IV(1)(a))

2. Details on study courses (article IV(1) (b))

3. National examination and other requirements (article IV(1) (b))

4. Specimen certificates (article IV(1)(c))


Section A-I/7 of the STCW Code

5. Information on Governmental organization (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.1)

6. Explanation of legal and administrative measures (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.2)

7. Statement of the education, training, examination, assessment and certification policies (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.3)

8. Summary of the courses, training programmes, examinations, assessments by certificate (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.4)

9. Outline of the procedures and conditions for authorizations, accreditations and approvals (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.5)

10. List of authorizations, accreditations and approvals granted (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.5)

11. Summary of procedures for dispensations (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.6)

12. Comparison carried out pursuant

to regulation I/11 (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.7)

13. Outline of refresher and upgrading training mandated (section A-I/7, paragraph 2.7)

14. Description of equivalency arrangements adopted pursuant to article IX (section A-I/7, paragraph 3.1)

15. Summary of measures taken to ensure compliance with regulation I/10 (section A-I/7, paragraph 3.2)

16. Specimen copy of safe manning documents issued to ships employing seafarers holding alternative certificates under regulation VII/1 (section A-I/7, paragraph 3.3)

17. Report of results of evaluation(s) carried out pursuant to regulation I/8, and other information relating to such evaluations (section A-I/7, paragraph 4)."

2. Renumber existing text of section B-I/7 as paragraph 2.

3. Insert a new sentence at the end of paragraph 1 in section B-I/9 under "Medical examination and certification", as follows:

"Those involved in establishing seafarer medical examination procedures should also take into account the guidance contained in the ILO/WHO publication "Guidelines for Conducting Pre-Sea and Periodic Medical Fitness Examinations for Seafarers" (ILO/WHO/D.2/1997)."

4. Replace existing paragraph 6 in section B-I/9 with new text, to read as follows:

"6. In the absence of mandatory international medical standards for seafarers, Parties should regard the minimum in-service eyesight standards set out in table B-I/9-1, the minimum physical abilities standards set out in table B-I/9-2 and the provisions of paragraphs 7 to 11 here under as the minimum for safe operation of ships, as well as report casualties where poor eyesight or physical inabilities have contributed to such incidents."

5. Replace existing paragraph 7 in section B-I/9 to include reference to the new table B-I/9-2 regarding minimum physical abilities for seafarers, as follows:

"7. Each Administration has the discretionary authority to grant a variance or waiver of any of the standards set out in tables B-I/9-1 and B-I/9-2 hereunder, based on an assessment of a medical evaluation and any other relevant information concerning an individual's adjustment to the condition and proven ability to satisfactorily perform assigned shipboard functions. When considering a variance or waiver of eyesight standards, where the aided distant visual acuity of either eye is less than the standard in table B-I/9-1, the aided distant visual acuity in the better eye should be at least 0.2 higher than the standard indicated. The unaided distant visual acuity in the better eye should be at least 0.1."

6. In paragraph 10 in section B-I/9, delete the word "visual".

7. Replace paragraph 11 in section B-I/9 to read as follows:

"11. Notwithstanding these provisions, the Administration may require - higher standards than those given in table B-I/9-1 or table B-I/9-2 below."

8. Renumber existing table in section B-I/9 as B-I/9-1.

9. Insert new table B-I/9-2 after table B-I/9-1, as follows:

Table B-I/9-2
Guidance on assessment of minimum entry-level and in-service physical abilities for seafarers^1,2,6

SHIPBOARD TASK, FUNCTION, EVENT OR CONDITION³	RELATED PHYSICAL ABILITY	A MEDICAL EXAMINER SHOULD BE SATISFIED THAT THE CANDIDATE^4,5
Routine movement on slippery, uneven and unstable surfaces; risk of injury.	Maintain balance (equilibrium).	has no disturbance in sense of balance.
Routine access between levels; emergency response procedures.	Climb up and down vertical ladders and stairways.	is able without assistance, to climb up and down vertical ladders and stairways (inclined ladders).
Routine movement between spaces and compartments; emergency response procedures.	Step over coamings (e.g., to 60 cm in height).	is able without assistance, to step over a high door sill (coaming)
Open and close watertight doors; hand cranking systems, open and close valve wheels; handle lines, use hand tools (i.e., spanners, fire axes, valve wrenches, hammers, screwdriver, pliers).	Manipulate mechanical devices (manual and digital dexterity, and strength).	is able to grasp, lift and manipulate various common shipboard tools; move hands/arms to open and close valve wheels in vertical and horizontal directions; rotate wrists to turn handles.
Access throughout ship; use tools and equipment; emergency response procedures must be followed promptly, including donning of life jacket or exposure suit.	Move with agility.	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
Handle ship's stores; use tools and equipment; handle lines; follow emergency response procedures.	Lift, pull, push and carry a load.	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
Overhead storage; opening and closing valves.	Reach above shoulder height.	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
General ship's maintenance; emergency response procedures, including damage control.	Crouch (lowering height by bending knees). Kneel (placing knees on ground). Stoop (lowering height by bending at the waist).	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
Emergency response procedures, including escape from smoke-filled spaces.	Crawl (the ability to move the body with hands and knees). Feel (the ability to handle or touch to examine or determine differences in temperature)	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
Stand a watch for a minimum of 4 hours.	Stand and walk for extended periods.	is able to stand and walk for extended periods.

SHIPBOARD TASK, FUNCTION, EVENT OR CONDITION³	RELATED PHYSICAL ABILITY	A MEDICAL EXAMINER SHOULD BE SATISFIED THAT THE CANDIDATE^4,5
Access between spaces; follow emergency response procedures.	Work in constricted spaces and move through restricted openings (e.g. 60x60 cm).	does not have any impairment or disease which could prevent his/her normal movement and physical activities.
React to visual alarms, warnings, and instructions; emergency response procedures.	Distinguish an object or shape at a certain distance.	fulfils the eye-sight standards specified by the competent authority.
React to audible alarms and instructions; emergency response procedures.	Hear a specified dB sound at a specified frequency.	fulfils the hearing capacity standards specified by the competent authority.
Make verbal reports or call attention to suspicious or emergency conditions.	Describe immediate surroundings and activities, and pronounce words clearly.	is capable of normal conversation.

Notes:

1. The above table describes (a) ordinary shipboard tasks, functions, events and conditions, (b) a corresponding physical ability which is considered necessary for the safety of a seafarer who is living and working on board a ship at sea, and (c) a guideline for measuring the corresponding physical ability. Administrations should take these physical abilities into account when establishing medical fitness standards.

2. This table is not intended to address all possible shipboard conditions or potentially disqualifying medical conditions; and it should, therefore, be used only as general guidance. Administrations should determine the categories of seafarers who are subject to an assessment of physical ability for service on sea-going ships, taking into account the nature of shipboard work for which they will be employed. For example, full application of these guidelines may not be appropriate in the case of entertainers who arc not assigned duties on the muster list. Also, special circumstances surrounding individual cases as well as any known risks of permitting the individual to be employed on board ship, and the extent to which a limited ability might be accommodated in a given situation, should be give full consideration.

3. The term "emergency response procedures" as used in this table is intended to cover all standard emergency response evolutions such as abandon ship and fire-fighting, as well as basic procedures to be followed by each seafarer to enhance his/her personal survival to avoid creating situations where special assistance from other crew members would be required.

4. The term "assistance" means the use of another person to accomplish the task.

5. If in doubt, the medical examiner should quantify the degree or severity of any disqualifying impairment by means of objective tests, whenever appropriate tests are available, or by referring the candidate for further assessment.

6. The ILO Medical Examination (Seafarers) Convention, 1946 (No.73) provides, inter alias, that arrangements shall be made to enable a person who, after examination, has been refused a certificate to apply for a further examination by a medical referee or referees who shall be independent of any shipowner or of any organization of shipowners or seafarers."

10. Insert new paragraphs 15 and 16 in section B-I/9 as follows:

"Development of a database for certificate registration.

15. In implementing the requirement in paragraph 4.1 of regulation I/9 of the revised STCW Convention for the maintenance of a register of certificates and endorsements, a standard database is not necessary provided that all the relevant information is recorded and available in accordance with regulation I/9.

16. The following items of information should be recorded and available either on paper or electronically in accordance with regulation I/9:

.1 Status of certificate:

Valid

Suspended

Cancelled

Reported lost

Destroyed with a record of changes to status to be kept, including dates of changes.

.2 Certificate details:

Seafarer's name

Date of birth

Nationality

Sex

Preferably a photograph

Relevant document number

Date of issue

Date of expiry

Last revalidation date

Details of dispensation(s)

.3 Competency details:

STCW competency standard (e.g. regulation II/1)

Capacity

Function

Level of responsibility

Endorsements

Limitations

.4 Medical details:

Date of issue of latest medical certificate relating to the issue or revalidation of the appropriate certificate."

11. Insert after Tables B-I/9-1 and B-I/9-2 a new table B-I/9-3 as follows:

"Table B-I/9-3
List of Certificates or Documentary Evidence Required under the STCW Convention

The list below identifies all certificates or documentary evidence in the Convention which authorize the holder to serve in certain functions on board ships. The certificates are subject to the requirements of regulation I/2 regarding language and their availability in original form. The list also references the relevant regulations and the requirements for endorsement and registration (regulation I/9).

REGULATIONS	CERTIFICATE OR DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE (BRIEF DESCRIPTION)	ENDORSEMENT REQUIRED	REGISTRATION REQUIRED
II/l, II/2, II/3, III,1, III/2, III/3, IV/2, V/l, VII/2	appropriate certificate for Master, officers and radio personnel	yes	yes
II/4, III/4	ratings duly certificated to be a part of a navigational or engine room watch.	no	yes, as appropriate
V/l	"ratings assigned to specific duties ... on tankers".	no	yes, as appropriate
V/2	"training requirements for personnel serving on ro-ro passenger ships".	no	no
V/3	"training requirements for personnel serving on passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships".	no	no
VI/2	"a certificate of proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats ... and fast rescue boats".	no	no
VI/3	"training in advanced fire fighting".	no	no
VI/4	"training relating to medical first aid and medical care".	no	no

12. Insert new paragraph in section B-I/10 as follows:

"Training carried out under the STCW Convention which does not lead to the issue of an appropriate certificate and on which information provided by a Party is found by the Maritime Safety Committee to give full and complete effect to the Convention in accordance with regulation I/7 paragraph 2, may be accepted by other Parties to the Convention as meeting the relevant training requirements thereof."

13. Insert new table B-I/11 as follows:

"Table B-I/11
Table of differences between STCW 78 certification requirements and STCW 95 certification requirements

CERTIFICATE OR TRAINING	STCW CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS	STCW 95 CERTIFICATE
CERTIFICATE OR TRAINING	STCW CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS	REQUIREMENTS	AMENDMENTS APPLY TO	IMPLEMENTATION DATES	CERTIFICATE REQUIRED	REVALIDATION OF TRAINING REQUIRED¹	REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATION REQUIRED²
Master and deck officer certificate of competency.	Reg. II/2 to II/5.	Reg. II/1 to II/3 + Chapter IV.	Masters and officers with STCW 78 certificates and 1995 certificates.		Yes	Yes, or service. Updating as appropriate for those with STCW 78 certificates (completed before 2002).	Yes
Deck rating.	Reg. II/6.	Reg. II/4.	Rating designated to Watchkeeping duties.		Yes	No	No
Chief engineer and engineer officer certificate of competency.	Reg. III/2 to III/5	Reg. III/1 to III/3.	Chief engineer and engineer officers with STCW 78 certificates and STCW 95 certificates.		Yes	Yes, or service. Updating as appropriate for those with STCW 78 certificates (completed before 2002).	Yes

CERTIFICATE OR TRAINING

STCW CERTIFICATE REQUIREMENTS

STCW 95 CERTIFICATE

REQUIREMENTS

AMENDMENTS APPLY TO

IMPLEMENTATION DATES

CERTIFICATE REQUIRED

REVALIDATION OF TRAINING REQUIRED¹

REVALIDATION OF CERTIFICATION

required

Engine room rating.

Reg. III/6

Ratings designated to Watchkeeping duties under STCW 78 Convention.

In force now (until 1 Feb. 2002)