Truth be told, we have had difficulty in getting to grips with the STCW 2010 Manila amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch Keeping for Seafarers, 1978 which came into force from the 1st January 2017, bringing with it an array of training requirements.

Therefore, we thought it would be useful to review the main changes as they appear to us, and note a few points which have come to our attention since their introduction.

Disclaimer: This is a general guidance only, and therefore should not be relied on in individual cases; it is essential that you check your particular circumstances with the Maritime Administration of the Flag(s) through their publications and website, or by direct contact. If you have any doubts, please discuss fully with your employer. 

What changed?

All seafarers are now required to undertake additional training in compliance with the Manila Amendments and hold the necessary certification:

Deck Officers:

• Officer of the Watch candidates (Yachts, less than 3,000GT) will be required to complete a five day Efficient Deck Hand course.

• Officer of the Watch candidates (unlimited or yachts) will be required to complete a three day Human Element, Leadership and Management (Operational Level) course, if they are applying for their Certificate of Competency after 31 August 2013.

• Chief Mate and Master candidates (unlimited or yachts) will be required to complete a five day Human Element, Leadership and Management (Management Level) course, if they are applying for their Certificate of Competency after 31 August 2013.

• All deck officers (including yachts) who have not undergone MCA-approved ECDIS training since 1^st January 2005 will need to undertake a five day generic Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS) course before either applying for or revalidating their UK Certificate of Competency, unless they are willing to accept a “not valid for service on ships fitted with ECDIS” ongoing  endorsement within their Certificates of Competency.

Engineer Officers:

• Engineer Officer of the Watch candidates (unlimited or yachts) will be required to complete a three day Human Element, Leadership and Management (Operational Level) course, if they are applying for their Certificate of Competency after 31 August 2013.

• 2^nd and Chief Engineer candidates (unlimited or yachts) will be required to complete a five day Human Element, Leadership and Management (Management Level) course, if they are applying for their Certificate of Competency after 31 August 2013.

• All Engineer officers will need to undertake a  High Voltage Training Course before either applying for or revalidating their UK Certificate of Competency, unless they are willing to accept a “not  valid for service on ships fitted with High Voltage (over 1000V) Systems”  ongoing  endorsement within their Certificates of Competency.

Ratings:

• One of the changes that have arisen from the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments is the introduction of a new qualification for deck ratings: Able Seafarer Deck, Reg, II/5.
• The Bahamas Maritime Authority have introduced a need for seafarers to hold this new certification through a specific requirement within the Safe Manning Document for vessels operating under the Bahamian Flag.
• The UK Flag have issued the following in MSN 1862 section 5.4:
  • If you hold a UK AB certificate. Issued under the International Labour Organisation (ILO) Convention 1946 (No.74), there is no requirement to update your certificate to Able Seafarer Deck, regulation II/5. However, applications can be made to your local marine office if you intend to obtain an Able Seafarer Deck Certificate.
• Therefore, in preparation:
  • All holders of UK AB certificates issued under the 1946 ILO Convention who are serving on Bahamian Flag Vessels shall apply to their local Marine Offices to obtain as Able Seafarers Deck, Reg II/5 certificate.
  • All holders of AB certificates issued by other Flag States who are serving on Bahamian Flag vessels shall similarly ensure that they obtain an Able Seafarers Deck, Reg II/5 certificate.
  • All certification should be in place before the 1^st of July 2017.

General:

• From 1 January 2014, mandatory security training is required for all crew (as appropriate), including Maritime Security Awareness, Security Familiarisation Training (conducted on board the vessel), Proficiency in Designated Security Duties and Proficiency as Ship Security Officer.

Updated training course requirements were introduced for all STCW certificate holders. It has been advised by the Maritime Coastguard Agency that seafarers serving on board a ship or applying for a UK CoC, and who are qualified in the following courses:

• Personal Survival Techniques (PST);
• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FP & FF);
• Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than fast rescue boats (PSC & RB);
• Proficiency in Fast Rescue Boats (PFRB); and
• Advanced Fire Fighting (AFF).

From the 1^st of January 2017 seafarers will have to have documented evidence of either having completed the training course or updated the training within the last 5 years.

It is also important to note the following:

• Many training bodies are issuing Certificates of Updated Training without any expiry dates shown, despite such Certificates only being valid for 5 years from date of issue. The responsibility therefore rests wholly with the Certificate-holders to ensure that such certificates are further updated towards the end of the applicable five-year period.
• All Officers and Ratings who have up to now enjoyed “grandfathered” rights in respect of their Basic Training in PST and FP & FF must, from 1^st January 2017, undertake the relevant full training courses.
• There is at present no requirement for Updating of Training in Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR) and Elementary First Aid (EFA), nor the requirement for seafarers presently holding “grandfathered” rights to undertake these Training Courses.
• For service on Isle of Man Flag vessels this original training or updating training has to have taken place since the introduction of the revised “Manila” syllabus on and from 1^st July 2013.

How can Clyde Marine Recruitment help you?

If you have any questions regarding certification, please feel free to get in touch by emailing recruitment@clyderecruit.com

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