Amendments Adopted by the International Maritime Organization and Coming Into Force on the 1st of July, 2018

Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code - Passenger ship safety training (Adopted by Resolutions MSC.416(97) and MSC.417(97)) Background: Significant industry changes and recent accidents have highlighted the need to enhance the safety related training requirements for passenger ships. Summary: Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code set a new requirement for training and emergency familiarisation of crew members on passenger ships and require that all personnel have undergone relevant training before being assigned to shipboard duties. Specification of the minimum standards of competence for the passenger ship crowd management training is also developed. Following these amendments, the required passenger ship safety training is as follows: Passenger ship emergency familiarisation (new requirement - all personnel) Safety training for personnel providing direct service to passengers in passenger spaces (relevant personnel) Passenger ship crowd management (Masters, Officers and relevant personnel) Crisis management and human behaviour (Masters, Officers and relevant personnel) Passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity training (Masters, Officers and relevant personnel).
It should be remembered that the STCW 2010 Manila Amendments entered into force on 1 January 2017 and require that the Crisis management and human behaviour and the Passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity training courses are approved. Implication: Shipowners and Ship Managers will need to be aware of the new requirements and allow for more time, if needed, before personnel assume duties on board in order to complete the passenger ship emergency familiarisation requirement. Application: To seafarers and other personnel serving on board passenger ships engaged on international voyages. Flag Administrations shall determine the applicability of these requirements to personnel serving on passenger ships engaged on domestic voyages.
Amendments to the STCW Convention and the STCW Code - Training requirements for ships operating in polar waters (Adopted by Resolutions MSC.416(97) and MSC.417(97)) Background: The International Code for Ships Operating in Polar Waters (Polar Code) entered into force on 1 January 2017. Changes to the STCW Convention and STCW Code are required to align these instruments with the new Polar Code. Summary: These are a package of amendments relating to revised training requirements for Masters and Deck Officers on board ships operating in polar waters.
The STCW Convention Chapter I General Provisions Chapter V Special Training Requirements for Personnel on Certain Types of Ships The STCW Code Chapter I General Provisions Chapter V Special Training Requirements for Personnel on Certain Types of Ships Table A-V/4-1 - Specification of minimum standard of competence in basic training for ships operating in polar waters Table A-V/4-2 - Specification of minimum standard of competence in advanced training for ships operating in polar waters STCW.6 Circular - Amendments to part B of the STCW Code Table B-I/2 - List of certificates or documentary evidence required under the STCW Convention Implication: Shipowners and Ship Managers: Although the entry into force of the amendments to the STCW Convention is one year after the entry into force of the Polar Code, all training requirements will have to be met by 1 July 2018.
Application: Training/certification of seafarers working on board a ship subject to the Polar Code. Amendments to the 2011 ESP Code Adopted by Resolution MSC.412(97) Background: The Enhanced Survey Programme (ESP) Code is a mandatory survey requirement for Oil Tankers and Bulk Carriers as required by SOLAS Regulation XI-1/2. The Code was adopted as A.1049(27) which superseded the previous ESP programme (A.744(18)). The Code has been regularly updated to maintain compatibility with the IACS requirements (UR Z10.1 and Z10.2.) Further updates to the ESP Code have been agreed based upon a submission from IACS which reflect amendments made to Z10.1(Rev.22), Z10.2(Rev.20), Z10.4 (Rev.11), Z10.5 (Rev.13). Summary: The amendments address the following elements: The requirements to execute the Thickness Measurements of the area subject to Close Up Surveys are inserted into the table relevant to MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR THICKNESS MEASUREMENTS AT SPECIAL SURVEY.
Exclusion of an internal check of box type hatch cover - as surveyors have no access to the internal structure and the structure is not considered to be subject to corrosion. To specify the minimum content of the tank testing procedure when this is to be carried out by the vessels crew. Implication: These amendments will help ensure harmonisation between the IMO and IACS requirements. There is no significant impact on LR classed vessels. Application: Applicable to bulk carriers and oil tankers.

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  • Zachary Obado Onyango

    2018-07-27 16:49:58

    That's great|

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