STCW A GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS - Maritime Professional Training

INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT WORKERS’ FEDERATIONForewordIn June 2010 a diplomatic conference in Manila adopted a set of far-reaching andcomprehensive amendments to the 1978 International Convention on Training,Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers – known to us all more conveniently asthe STCW Convention – and its associated Code. This instrument has been described asone for the four pillars of the global maritime regulatory system, along with two otherIMO Conventions, SOLAS and MARPOL, and ILO’s Maritime Labour Convention. Theamendments adopted mark the first major revision of the instrument since thoseadopted in 1995, which completely revised the original 1978 STCW Convention.The shipping industry depends on competent, well-trained seafarers to ensure safetyof life at sea, maritime security, efficiency of navigation and protection andpreservation of the marine environment. The revised STCW Convention aims toprovide the international standards necessary for training institutes and trainers todevelop the much-needed skills and competencies for today’s seafarer.The ITF has produced this guidance to help seafarers understand the revisions andlocate the information that is of most relevance to them. I support this effort to makethe Convention requirements accessible to all and trust that this guide will support theachievement of the objectives of the STCW Convention and Code.Koji SekimizuSecretary-General, IMOSTCW: A GUIDE FOR SEAFARERS 3