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Legislative Requirements
STCW
International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for
Seafarers, 1978
(London, 7
July 1978)
Conference of Parties to the
STCW Convention, which was held at the Headquarters of the Organization from 26
June to
RECOGNIZING the importance of establishing detailed
mandatory standards of competence and other mandatory provisions necessary to
ensure that all seafarers shall be properly educated and trained, adequately
experienced, skilled and competent to perform their duties in a manner which
provides for the safety of life and property at sea and the protection of the
marine environment,
RECALLING that a large percentage of maritime
casualties and pollution incidents are caused by human error,
APPRECIATING that one effective means of reducing the
risks associated with human error in the operation of seagoing ships is to
ensure that the highest practicable standards of training, certification and
competence are maintained in respect of the seafarers who are employed on such
ships,
DESIRING to achieve and maintain the highest
practicable standards for the safety of life and property at sea and in port
and for the protection of the environment,
The amended Annex to the 1978 STCW Convention provides
that part A of the STCW Code supplements the regulations annexed to the
Convention
These provisions give in detail the minimum standards
required to be maintained by Parties in order to give full and complete effect
to the Convention.
Also contained in this Part are standards of
competence required to be demonstrated by candidates for the issue and
revalidation of certificates of competency under the provisions of the STCW
Convention.
The abilities specified in the standards of competence
are grouped as appropriate under the following seven functions:
Navigation
Cargo handling and stowage
Controlling the operation of the ship and care for
persons on board
Marine engineering
Electrical, electronic and control engineering
Maintenance and repair
Radiocommunications
At the following levels of responsibility:
Management level
Operational level
Support level
Definition
“Certificate”
means a valid document, by whatever name it may be known, issued by or under
the authority of the Administration or recognized by the Administration
authorizing the holder to serve as stated in this document or as authorized by
national regulations;
“Certificated” means properly holding a
certificate;
“Sea-going ship” means a ship other than
those which navigate exclusively in inland waters or in waters within, or
closely adjacent to, sheltered waters or areas where port regulations apply;
“Radio Regulations” means the Radio
Regulations annexed to, or regarded as being annexed to, the most recent
International Telecommunication Convention which may be in force at any time.
Application
The Convention shall apply to seafarers serving on
board sea-going ships entitled to fly the flag of a Party except to those
serving on board:
(a)
warships, naval
auxiliaries or other ships owned or operated by a State and engaged only on
governmental non-commercial service.
(b)
fishing vessels;
(c)
pleasure yachts not engaged in trade; or
(d)
wooden ships of
primitive build.
Certificates
Certificates for masters, officers or ratings shall be
issued to those candidates who, to the satisfaction of the Administration, meet
the requirements for service, age, medical fitness, training, qualification and
examinations in accordance with the appropriate provisions of the Annex to the
Convention.
Certificates for masters and officers, issued in
compliance, shall be endorsed by the issuing Administration in the form as
prescribed.
Dispensation
In circumstances of exceptional necessity,
Administrations, if in their opinion this does not cause danger to persons,
property or the environment, may issue a dispensation permitting a specified
seafarer to serve in a specified ship for a specified period not exceeding six
months in a capacity, other than that of the radio officer or radiotelephone
operator, except as provided by the relevant Radio Regulations, for which
he does not hold the appropriate certificate, provided that the person to whom
the dispensation is issued shall be adequately qualified to fill the vacant
post in a safe manner, to the satisfaction of the Administration. However,
dispensations shall not be granted to a master or chief engineer officer,
except in circumstances of force majeure
and then only for the shortest possible period.
Any dispensation granted for a post shall be granted
only to a person properly certificated to fill the post immediately below.
Where certification of the post below is not required by the Convention, a
dispensation may be issued to a person whose qualification and experience are,
in the opinion of the Administration, of a clear equivalence to the
requirements for the post to be filled, provided that, if such a person holds
no appropriate certificate, he shall be required to pass a test accepted by the
Administration as demonstrating that such a dispensation may safely be issued.
In addition, Administrations shall ensure that the post in question is filled
by the holder of an appropriate certificate as soon as possible.
Control
Ships, are subject, while in the ports of a Party, to
control by officers duly authorized by that Party to verify that all seafarers
serving on board who are required to be certificated by the Convention are so
certificated or hold an appropriate dispensation. Such certificates shall be
accepted unless there are clear grounds for believing that a certificate has
been fraudulently obtained or that the holder of a certificate is not the
person to whom that certificate was originally issued.
In the event that any deficiencies are found the
officer carrying out the control shall forthwith inform, in writing, the master
of the ship and the Consul or, in his absence, the nearest diplomatic
representative or the maritime authority of the State whose flag the ship is
entitled to fly, so that appropriate action may be taken. Such notification
shall specify the details of the deficiencies found and the grounds on which
the Party determines that these deficiencies pose a danger to persons, property
or the environment.
In exercising the control if, taking into account the
size and type of the ship and the length and nature of the voyage, the
deficiencies are not corrected and it is determined that this fact poses a
danger to persons, property or the environment, the Party carrying out the
control shall take steps to ensure that the ship will not sail unless and until
these requirements are met to the extent that the danger has been removed. The
facts concerning the action taken shall be reported promptly to the
Secretary-General.
When exercising control, all possible efforts shall be
made to avoid a ship being unduly detained or delayed. If a ship is so detained
or delayed it shall be entitled to compensation for any loss or damage
resulting therefrom.
This Article shall be applied as may be necessary to
ensure that no more favourable treatment is given to ships entitled to fly the
flag of a non-Party than is given to ships entitled to fly the flag of a Party.
Principles
governing near-coastal voyages
Any Party defining near-coastal voyages for the
purpose of the Convention shall not impose training, experience or
certification requirements on the seafarers serving on board the ships entitled
to fly the flag of another Party and engaged on such voyages in a manner
resulting in more stringent requirements for such seafarers than for seafarers
serving on board ships entitled to fly its own flag.
With respect to ships entitled to fly the flag of a
Party regularly engaged on near-coastal voyages off the coast of another Party,
the Party whose flag the ship is entitled to fly shall prescribe training,
experience and certification requirements for seafarers serving on such ships
at least equal to those of the Party off whose coast the ship is engaged,
provided that they do not exceed the requirements of the Convention in respect
of ships not engaged on near-coastal voyages. A ship, which extends its voyage
beyond what is defined as a near-coastal voyage by a Party and enters waters
not covered by that definition shall fulfill the
requirements of the Convention without relaxation under this Regulation.
An Administration may issue a certificate restricted
to service on ships engaged exclusively on near-coastal voyages and, for the
issue of such a certificate, may exclude such subjects as are not applicable to
the waters or ships concerned, bearing in mind the effect on the safety of all
ships which may be operating in the same waters.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for certification of masters and chief mates of ships of
200 gross register tons or more
Master and
chief mate of ships of 1,600 gross register tons or more
Every master and chief mate of a sea-going ship of
1,600 gross register tons or more shall hold an
appropriate certificate.
Every candidate for certification shall:
(a) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and
hearing;
(b) meet the
requirements for certification as an officer in charge of a navigational watch
on ships of 200 gross register tons or more and have approved sea-going service
in that capacity:
(i) for certification as
chief mate, not less than 18 months; however, this period may be reduced to not
less than 12 months if the Administration requires special training which it
considers to be equivalent to at least six months’ service as officer in charge
of a navigational watch;
(ii) for certification as master, not less than 36
months; however, this period may be reduced to not less than 24 months if not
less than 12 months of such sea-going service has been served as chief mate, or
if the Administration requires special training which it considers to be
equivalent to such service;
(c) have passed appropriate
examination to the satisfaction of the Administration. Such examination shall
include the material set out in the Appendix to this Regulation, except that
the Administration may vary these examination requirements for masters and
chief mates of ships of limited size engaged on near-coastal voyages, as it
considers necessary, bearing in mind the effect on the safety of all ships
which may be operating in the same waters.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for certification of officers in charge of a navigational
watch on ships of 200 gross register tons or more
Every officer in charge of a navigational watch
serving on a sea-going ship of 200 gross register tons or more shall hold an
appropriate certificate.
Every candidate for certification shall:
(a) be not less
than 18 years of age;
(b) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and
hearing;
(c) have
approved sea-going service in the deck department of not less than three years
which shall include at least six months of bridge watchkeeping
duties under the supervision of a qualified officer; however, an Administration
may allow the substitution of a period of special training for not more than
two years of this approved sea-going service, provided the Administration is
satisfied that such training is at least equivalent in value to the period of
sea-going service it replaces;
(d) satisfy the Administration by passing an appropriate
examination that he possesses adequate theoretical and practical knowledge
appropriate to his duties.
Restricted
certificates
For issue of restricted certificates for service on
near-coastal voyages, the Administration may omit the following subjects from
those shown in the Appendix, bearing in mind the effect on the safety of all
ships which may be operating in the same waters:
(a) celestial
navigation;
(b) electronic systems of position fixing and navigation for waters
not covered by such systems.
Level of
knowledge
(a) The level
of knowledge to be required in the subjects shown in the Appendix shall be
sufficient for the officer of the watch to carry out his watchkeeping
duties safely.
(b) Training to
achieve the necessary theoretical knowledge and practical experience shall be
based on “Basic Principles to be Observed in Keeping a
Navigational Watch” and relevant international regulations and recommendations.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for certification of radiotelephone operators
Every radiotelephone operator in charge of, or
performing, radio duties in a ship shall hold an appropriate certificate or
certificates issued or recognized by the Administration under the provisions of
the Radio Regulations.
In addition, such radiotelephone operator of a ship
which is required to have a radiotelephone station by the International
Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, shall:
(a) be not less
than 18 years of age;
(b) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight, hearing
and speech;
(c) meet the requirements of the Appendix to this Regulation.
Every candidate for a certificate shall be required to
pass an examination or examinations to the satisfaction of the Administration
concerned.
The level of knowledge required for certification
shall be sufficient for the radiotelephone operator to carry out his radio
duties safely and efficiently. In determining the appropriate level of
knowledge and the training necessary to achieve that knowledge and practical
ability, the Administration shall take into account the requirements of the Radio
Regulations and the Appendix to this Regulation. Administrations shall also
take into account the relevant resolutions adopted by the International
Conference on Training and Certification of Seafarers, 1978 (1995), and
relevant IMO recommendations.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for ratings forming part of a navigational watch
The minimum requirements for a rating forming part of
a navigational watch on a sea-going ship of 200 gross register tons or more are
set out below. These requirements are not those for certification of able
seamen, nor,
except for ships of limited size, are they minimum requirements for a rating
who is to be the sole rating of a navigational watch. Administrations may require
additional training and qualifications for a rating who
is to be the sole rating of a navigational watch.
Every rating forming part of a navigational watch on a
sea-going ship of 200 gross register tons or more shall:
(a) be not less
than 16 years of age;
(b) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and
hearing;
(c) satisfy the
Administration that he has:
(i)
completed approved sea-going service, including not
less than six months’ sea experience associated, in particular, with
navigational watchkeeping duties; or
(ii)
successfully undergone special training, either
pre-sea or aboard ship, including an adequate period of sea-going service as
required by the Administration which shall be not less than two months;
(d) have
experience or training which includes:
(i)
basic principles of fire-fighting, first aid, personal
survival techniques, health hazards and personal safety;
(ii)
ability to understand orders and make himself
understood by the officer of the watch in matters relevant to his duties;
(iii)
ability to steer and comply with helm orders, together
with sufficient knowledge of magnetic and gyro compasses for performance of
these duties;
(iv)
ability to keep a proper look-out by sight and hearing
and report the approximate bearing of a sound signal, light or other object in
degrees or points;
(v)
familiarity with the change-over from automatic pilot
to hand steering and vice-versa;
(vi)
knowledge of the use of appropriate internal
communication and alarm systems;
(vii)
knowledge of pyrotechnic distress signals;
(viii)
knowledge of his emergency duties;
(ix)
knowledge of
shipboard terms and definitions appropriate to his duties.
The experience, may be acquired through performance of
duties associated with navigational watchkeeping, but
only if such duties are carried out under the direct supervision of the master,
officer in charge of the navigational watch or a qualified rating.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for ratings forming part of an engine room watch
The minimum requirements for a rating if forming part
of an engine room watch shall be as below. These requirements are for:
Every rating forming part of an engine room watch
shall:
(a) be not less
than 16 years of age;
(b) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness, including eyesight and hearing;
(c) satisfy the
Administration as to:
(i)
experience or training regarding fire-fighting, basic
first aid, personal survival techniques, health hazards and personal safety;
(ii)
ability to understand orders, and make himself
understood in matters relevant to his duties;
(d) satisfy
the Administration that he has:
(i)
shore experience relevant to his sea-going duties
supplemented by an adequate period of sea-going service as required by the
Administration; or
(ii)
undergone special training either pre-sea or on board
ship, including an adequate period of sea-going service as required by the
Administration; or
(iii)
approved sea-going
service of at least six months.
Every such rating shall have knowledge of:
(a)
engine room watchkeeping
procedures and the ability to carry out a watch routine appropriate to his
duties;
(b)
safe working practices as related to engine room
operations;
(c)
terms used in machinery spaces and names of machinery
and equipment relative to his duties;
(d)
basic
environmental protection procedures.
Every rating required to keep a boiler watch shall
have knowledge of the safe operation of boilers, and shall have the ability to
maintain the correct water levels and steam pressures.
Every rating forming part of an engine room watch
shall be familiar with his watchkeeping duties in the
machinery spaces on the ship on which he is to serve. In particular, with
respect to that ship the rating shall have:
(a) knowledge
of the use of appropriate internal communication systems;
(b) knowledge
of escape routes from machinery spaces;
(c) knowledge
of engine room alarm systems and ability to distinguish between the various
alarms with special reference to fire extinguishing gas alarms;
(d) familiarity with the location and use of fire-fighting equipment
in the machinery spaces.
A seafarer may be considered by the Administration to
have met the requirements of this Regulation if he has served in a relevant
capacity in the engine department for a period of not less than one year within
the last five years preceding the entry into force of the Convention for that
Administration.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers
and ratings of oil tankers
Officers and ratings who are to have specific duties,
and responsibilities related to those duties, in connection with cargo and
cargo equipment on oil tankers and who have not served on board an oil tanker
as part of the regular complement, before carrying out such duties shall have
completed an appropriate shore-based fire-fighting course; and
(a)
an appropriate period of supervised shipboard service
in order to acquire adequate knowledge of safe operational practices; or
(b)
an approved oil tanker familiarization course which
includes basic safety and pollution prevention precautions and procedures,
layouts of different types of oil tankers, types of cargo, their hazards and
their handling equipment, general operational sequence and oil tanker
terminology.
Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second
engineer officers and, if other than the foregoing, any person with the
immediate responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or
handling of cargo, in addition to the provisions of paragraph 1, shall have:
(a) relevant
experience appropriate to their duties on oil tankers; and
(b) completed a specialized training programme appropriate to their
duties, including oil tanker safety, fire safety measures and systems,
pollution prevention and control, operational practice and obligations under
applicable laws and regulations.
Within two years after the entry into force of the
Convention for a Party, a seafarer may be considered to have met the
requirements if he has served in a relevant capacity on board oil tankers for a
period of not less than one year within the preceding five years.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers
and ratings of chemical tankers
Officers and ratings who are to have specific duties,
and responsibilities related to those duties, in connection with cargo and
cargo equipment on chemical tankers and who have not served on board a chemical
tanker as part of the regular complement, before carrying out such duties shall
have completed an appropriate shore-based fire-fighting course; and
(a)
an appropriate period of supervised shipboard service
in order to acquire adequate knowledge of safe operational practices; or
(b)
an approved chemical tanker familiarization course
which includes basic safety and pollution prevention precautions and
procedures, layouts of different types of chemical tankers, types of cargo,
their hazards and their handling equipment, general operational sequence and
chemical tanker terminology.
Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second
engineer officers and, if other than the foregoing, any person with the
immediate responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or
handling of cargo, in addition to the provisions of paragraph 1, shall have:
(a) relevant
experience appropriate to their duties on chemical tankers; and
(b) completed a specialized training programme appropriate to their
duties, including chemical tanker safety, fire safety measures and systems,
pollution prevention and control, operational practice and obligations under
applicable laws and regulations.
Within two years after the entry into force of the Convention
for a Party, a seafarer may be considered to have met the requirements if he
has served in a relevant capacity on board chemical tankers for a period of not
less than one year within the preceding five years.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers
and ratings of liquefied gas tankers
Officers and ratings who are to have specific duties,
and responsibilities related to those duties, in connection with cargo and
cargo equipment on liquefied gas tankers and who have not served on board a
liquefied gas tanker as part of the regular complement, before carrying out
such duties shall have completed an appropriate shore-based fire-fighting
course; and
(a)
an appropriate period of supervised shipboard service
in order to acquire adequate knowledge of safe operational practices; or
(b)
an approved liquefied gas tanker familiarization
course which includes basic safety and pollution prevention precautions and
procedures, layouts of different types of liquefied gas tankers, types of
cargo, their hazards and their handling equipment, general operational sequence
and liquefied gas tanker terminology.
Masters, chief engineer officers, chief mates, second
engineer officers and, if other than the foregoing, any person with the
immediate responsibility for loading, discharging and care in transit or
handling of cargo, in addition to the provisions of paragraph 1, shall have:
(a) relevant
experience appropriate to their duties on liquefied gas tankers; and
(b) completed a specialized training programme appropriate to their
duties including liquefied gas tanker safety, fire safety measures and systems,
pollution prevention and control, operational practice and obligations under
applicable laws and regulations.
Within two years after the entry into force of the
Convention for a Party, a seafarer may be considered to have met the
requirements if he has served in a relevant capacity on board liquefied gas
tankers for a period of not less than one year within the preceding five years.
Mandatory
minimum requirements to ensure the continued proficiency and up-dating of
knowledge of masters and deck officers
Every master and every deck officer holding a
certificate who is serving at sea or intends to return to sea after a period
ashore shall, in order to continue to qualify for sea-going service, be
required at regular intervals not exceeding five years to satisfy the
Administration as to:
(a) medical
fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and hearing; and
(b) professional
competence:
(i)
by approved sea-going service as master or deck
officer of at least one year during the preceding five years; or
(ii)
by virtue of having performed functions relating to
the duties appropriate to the grade of certificate held which are considered to
be at least equivalent to the sea-going service required; or
(iii)
by one of the following:
-
passing an approved test; or
-
successfully completing an approved course or courses;
or
-
having completed
approved sea-going service as a deck officer for a period of not less than
three months in a supernumerary capacity immediately prior to taking up the
rank to which he is entitled by virtue of his certificate.
The Administration shall, in consultation with those
concerned, formulate or promote the formulation of a structure of refresher and
up-dating courses, either voluntary or mandatory, as appropriate, for masters
and deck officers who are serving at sea, especially for re-entrants to
sea-going service. The Administration shall ensure that arrangements are made
to enable all persons concerned to attend such courses as appropriate to their
experience and duties. Such courses shall be approved by the Administration and
include changes in marine technology and relevant international regulations and
recommendations concerning the safety of life at sea and the protection of the
marine environment.
Every master and deck officer shall, for continuing
sea-going service on board ships for which special training requirements have
been internationally agreed upon, successfully complete an approval relevant
training.
The Administration shall ensure that the texts of
recent changes in international regulations concerning the safety of life at
sea and the protection of the marine environment are made available to ships
under its jurisdiction.
Basic
principles to be observed in keeping a navigational watch
Parties shall direct the attention of shipowners, ship operators, masters and watchkeeping
personnel to the following principles which shall be observed to ensure that a
safe navigational watch is maintained at all times.
The master of every ship is bound to ensure that watchkeeping arrangements are adequate for maintaining a
safe navigational watch. Under the master’s general direction, the officers of
the watch are responsible for navigating the ship safely during their periods
of duty when they will be particularly concerned with avoiding collision and
stranding.
The basic principles, including but not limited to the
following, shall be taken into account on all ships.
Watch
arrangements
(a) The composition of the watch shall at all times be
adequate and appropriate to the prevailing circumstances and conditions and
shall take into account the need for maintaining a proper look-out.
(b) When deciding the composition of the watch on the
bridge which may include appropriate deck ratings, the following factors, inter alia,
shall be taken into account:
(i)
at no time shall the bridge be left unattended;
(ii)
weather conditions, visibility and whether there is
daylight or darkness;
(iii)
proximity of navigational hazards which may make it
necessary for the officer in charge of the watch to carry out additional
navigational duties;
(iv)
use and operational condition of navigational aids
such as radar or electronic position-indicating devices and any other equipment
affecting the safe navigation of the ship;
(v)
whether the ship is fitted with automatic steering;
(vi)
any unusual
demands on the navigational watch that may arise as a result of special
operational circumstances.
Fitness for
duty
The watch system shall be such that the efficiency of watchkeeping officers and watchkeeping
ratings is not impaired by fatigue. Duties shall be so organized that the first
watch at the commencement of a voyage and the subsequent relieving watches are
sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for duty.
Navigation
(a) The intended voyage shall be planned in advance
taking into consideration all pertinent information and any course laid down
shall be checked before the voyage commences.
(b) During the watch the course steered, position and
speed shall be checked at sufficiently frequent intervals, using any available
navigational aids necessary, to ensure that the ship follows the planned
course.
(c) The officer of the watch shall have full knowledge
of the location and operation of all safety and navigational equipment on board
the ship and shall be aware and take account of the operating limitations of
such equipment.
(d) The officer in charge of a navigational watch
shall not be assigned or undertake any duties which would interfere with the
safe navigation of the ship.
Navigational
equipment
(a) The officer of the watch shall make the most
effective use of all navigational equipment at his disposal.
(b) When using radar, the officer of the watch shall
bear in mind the necessity to comply at all times with the provisions on the
use of radar contained in the applicable regulations for preventing collisions
at sea.
(c) In cases of need the officer of the watch shall
not hesitate to use the helm, engines and sound signalling
apparatus.
Navigational
duties and responsibilities
(a) The officer in charge of the watch shall:
(i)
keep his watch on the bridge which he shall in no
circumstances leave until properly relieved;
(ii)
continue to be responsible for the safe navigation of
the ship, despite the presence of the master on the bridge, until the master
informs him specifically that he has assumed that responsibility and this is
mutually understood;
(iii)
notify the master when in any doubt as to what action
to take in the interest of safety;
(iv)
not hand over
the watch to the relieving officer if he has reason to believe that the latter
is obviously not capable of carrying out his duties effectively, in which case
he shall notify the master accordingly.
(b) On taking over the watch the relieving officer
shall satisfy himself as to the ship’s estimated or
true position and confirm its intended track, course and speed and shall note
any dangers to navigation expected to be encountered during his watch.
(c) A proper record shall be kept of the movements and
activities during the watch relating to the navigation of the ship.
Look-out
In addition to maintaining a proper look-out for the
purpose of fully appraising the situation and the risk of collision, stranding
and other dangers to navigation, the duties of the look-out shall include the
detection of ships or aircraft in distress, shipwrecked persons, wrecks and
debris. In maintaining a look-out the following shall be observed:
(a) the look-out must be able
to give full attention to the keeping of a proper look-out and no other duties
shall be undertaken or assigned which could interfere with that task;
(b) the duties of the
look-out and helmsman are separate and the helmsman shall not be considered to
be the look-out while steering, except in small ships where an unobstructed
all-round view is provided at the steering position and there is no impairment
of night vision or other impediment to the keeping of a proper look-out. The
officer in charge of the watch may be the sole look-out in daylight provided
that on each such occasion:
(i)
the situation has been carefully assessed and it has
been established without doubt that it is safe to do so;
(ii)
full account has been taken of all relevant factors
including, but not limited to:
-
state of weather
-
visibility
-
traffic density
-
proximity of danger to navigation
(iii) the attention necessary when navigating in or near traffic separation schemes;
(iv)
assistance is
immediately available to be summoned to the bridge when any change in the
situation so requires.
Navigation
with pilot embarked
Despite the duties and obligations of a pilot, his
presence on board does not relieve the master or officer in charge of the watch
from their duties and obligations for the safety of the ship. The master and
the pilot shall exchange information regarding navigation procedures, local
conditions and the ship’s characteristics. The master and officer of the watch
shall co-operate closely with the pilot and maintain an accurate check of the
ship’s position and movement.
Protection of
the marine environment
The master and officer in charge of the watch shall be
aware of the serious effects of operational or accidental pollution of the
marine environment and shall take all possible precautions to prevent such
pollution, particularly within the framework of relevant international and port
regulations.
Basic
principles to be observed in keeping an engineering
watch
Parties shall direct the attention of shipowners, ship operators, masters, chief engineer
officers and watchkeeping personnel to the following
principles which shall be observed to ensure that a safe engineering watch is
maintained at all times.
The term “watch” is used in this Regulation to mean
either a group of personnel composing the watch or a period of responsibility for
an engineer officer during which his physical presence in the machinery space
may or may not be required.
The basic principles, including but not limited to the
following, shall be taken into account on all ships.
General
(a) The chief engineer officer of every ship is bound,
in consultation with the master, to ensure that watchkeeping
arrangements are adequate to maintain a safe watch. When deciding the
composition of the watch, which may include appropriate engine room ratings,
the following criteria, inter alia, shall be taken into account:
(i)
type of ship;
(ii)
type and condition of the machinery;
(iii)
special modes of operation dictated by conditions such
as weather, ice, contaminated water, shallow water, emergency conditions,
damage containment or pollution abatement;
(iv)
qualifications and experience of the watch;
(v)
safety of life, ship, cargo and port, and protection
of the environment;
(vi)
observance of international, national and local
regulations;
(vii)
maintaining the normal
operations of the ship.
(b) Under the direction of the chief engineer officer,
the engineer officer in charge of the watch shall be responsible for the
inspection, operation and testing, as required, of all machinery and equipment
under his responsibility. The engineer officer in charge of a watch is the
chief engineer officer’s representative and his primary responsibility, at all
times, shall be the safe and efficient operation and
up-keep of machinery affecting the safety of the ship.
(c) The chief engineer officer shall, in consultation with
the master, determine in advance the needs of the intended voyage, taking into
consideration the requirements for fuel, water, lubricants, chemicals,
expendable and other spare parts, tools, supplies and any other requirements.
Operation
(a) The engineer officer in charge of the watch shall
ensure that the established watchkeeping arrangements
are maintained. Under his general direction engine room ratings, if forming
part of the watch, shall be required to assist in the safe and efficient
operation of the propulsion machinery and the auxiliary equipment.
(b) At the commencement of the engineering watch, the
current operational parameters and condition of all machinery shall be
verified. Any machinery not functioning properly, expected to malfunction or
requiring special service, shall be noted along with any action already taken.
Plans shall be made for any further action if required.
(c) The engineer officer in charge of the watch shall
ensure that the main propulsion plant and auxiliary systems are kept under
constant surveillance, inspections are made of the machinery and steering gear
spaces at suitable intervals and appropriate action is taken to remedy any
malfunction discovered.
(d) When the machinery spaces are in the manned
condition, the engineer officer in charge of the watch shall at all times be
readily capable of operating the propulsion equipment in response to needs for
changes in direction or speed. When the machinery spaces are
in the periodic unmanned condition, the designated duty engineer officer in
charge of the watch shall be immediately available and on call to attend the
machinery spaces.
(e) All bridge orders shall be promptly executed.
Changes in direction or speed of the main propulsion unit shall be recorded,
except where an Administration determines that the size or characteristics of a
particular ship make such recording impracticable. The engineer officer in
charge of the watch shall ensure that the main propulsion unit controls, when
in the manual mode of operation, are continuously attended under standby or
manoeuvring conditions.
(f) The engineer officer in charge of the watch shall
not be assigned or undertake any duties which would interfere with his
supervisory duty in respect of the main propulsion system and its ancillary
equipment and he shall ensure that the main propulsion system and auxiliary
equipment are kept under constant surveillance until he is properly relieved.
(g) Due attention shall be paid to the maintenance and
support of all machinery, including mechanical, electrical, hydraulic and
pneumatic systems, their control apparatus and associated safety equipment, all
accommodation service systems equipment and the recording of stores and spare
gear usage.
(h) The chief engineer officer shall ensure that the
engineer officer in charge of the watch is informed of all preventive
maintenance, damage control, or repair operations to be performed during the
watch. The engineer officer in charge of the watch shall be responsible for the
isolation, by-passing and adjustment of all machinery under his responsibility
that is to be worked on, and shall record all work carried out.
(i) Before going off duty,
the engineer officer in charge of the watch shall ensure that all events
related to the main and auxiliary machinery are suitably recorded.
(j) To avoid any danger to the safety of the ship and
its crew, the engineer officer in charge of the watch shall notify the bridge
immediately in the event of fire, impending actions in machinery spaces that
may cause reduction in ship’s speed, imminent steering failure, stoppage of the
ship’s propulsion system or any alteration in the generation of electric power,
or similar threat to safety. This notification, where possible, shall be
accomplished before changes are made in order to afford the bridge the maximum
available time to take whatever actions are possible to avoid a potential
marine casualty.
(k) When the engine room is put in a standby
condition, the engineer officer in charge of the watch shall ensure that all
machinery and equipment which may be used during manoeuvring is in a state of
immediate readiness and that an adequate reserve of power is available for
steering gear and other requirements.
Watch
requirements
(a) Every member of the watch shall be familiar with
his assigned watchkeeping duties. In addition, every
member shall have with respect to that ship:
(i)
knowledge of the use of appropriate internal
communication systems;
(ii)
knowledge of escape routes from machinery spaces;
(iii)
knowledge of engine room alarm systems and the ability
to distinguish between the various alarms with special reference to the CO2
alarm;
(iv)
knowledge of the
positions and use of the fire-fighting equipment in the machinery spaces.
(b) The composition of an underway watch shall, at all
times, be adequate to ensure the safe operation of all machinery affecting the
operation of the ship, in either automated or manual mode and be appropriate to
the prevailing circumstances and conditions. To achieve this, the following, inter alia,
shall be taken into account:
(i)
adequate supervision, at all times, of machinery
affecting the safe operation of the ship;
(ii)
condition and reliability of any remotely operated
propulsion and steering equipment and their controls, control location and the
procedures involved in placing them in a manual mode of operation in the event
of breakdown or emergency;
(iii)
location and operation of fixed fire detection, fire
extinction or fire containment devices and apparatus;
(iv)
use and operational condition of auxiliary, standby
and emergency equipment affecting the safe navigation, mooring or docking
operations of the ship;
(v)
steps and procedures necessary to maintain the
condition of machinery installations in order to ensure their efficient
operation during all modes of ship operation;
(vi)
any other
demands on the watch which may arise as a result of special operating
circumstances.
(c) At an unsheltered anchorage the chief engineer
officer shall consult with the master whether or not to maintain an underway
watch.
Fitness for
duty
The watch system shall be such that the efficiency of
the watch is not impaired by fatigue. Duties shall be so organized by the chief
engineer officer that the first watch at the commencement of a voyage and the
subsequent relieving watches are sufficiently rested and otherwise fit for
duty.
Protection
of the marine environment
All engineer officers and engine room ratings shall be
aware of the serious effects of operational or accidental pollution of the
marine environment and shall take all possible precautions to prevent such
pollution, particularly within the framework of relevant international and port
regulations.
Mandatory
minimum requirements for the issue of certificates of proficiency in survival
craft
Every seafarer to be issued with a certificate of
proficiency in survival craft shall:
(a) be not less than 171/2
years of age;
(b) satisfy the
Administration as to medical fitness;
(c) have approved sea-going
service of not less than 12 months or have attended an approved training course
and have approved sea-going service of not less than nine months;
(d) satisfy the
Administration by examination or by continuous assessment during an approved
training course that he possesses knowledge of the contents of the Appendix to
this Regulation;
(e) demonstrate to the
satisfaction of the Administration by examination or by continuous assessment
during an approved training course that he possesses the ability to:
(i)
don a life-jacket correctly; safely jump from a height
into the water; board a survival craft from the water while wearing a
life-jacket;
(ii)
right an inverted liferaft while wearing a
life-jacket;
(iii)
interpret the marking on survival craft with respect
to the number of persons they are permitted to carry;
(iv)
make the correct commands required for launching and
boarding the survival craft, clearing the ship and handling and disembarking
from the survival craft;
(v)
prepare and launch survival craft safely into the
water and clear the ship’s side quickly;
(vi)
deal with injured persons both during and after
abandonment;
(vii)
row and steer, erect a mast, set the sails, manage a
boat under sail and steer a boat by compass;
(viii)
use signalling equipment,
including pyrotechnics;
(ix)
use portable
radio equipment for survival craft.