HTW 10-6 Comprehensive review of the 1978 STCW Convention and Code

Background

The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW), at its ninth session, established the Correspondence Group on the Comprehensive Review of the 1978 STCW Convention and Code, under the coordination of Sweden (Mr. Julian Planken).

 

The Correspondence Group was instructed by the Sub-Committee, taking into account the comments made and decisions taken at HTW, to:

 

.1 Taking into account decisions and comments made in plenary at HTW 9 for the identification of the specific areas to be reviewed and prepare a road map for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and code;

.2 Prepare draft terms of reference for the revision of Model course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social responsibilities to include the competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH); and

.3 Submit a report to HTW 10

 

The Group completed the identification of specific areas to be reviewed. The Group used document HTW 9/7/4 as a basis for the work and included relevant parts from submissions to HTW 9 under agenda item 7 and the discussions in plenary.

 

The Group completed the task of preparing a road map for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code. The Group used document HTW 9/7/9 as a basis for the work and included relevant parts from submissions to HTW 9 under agenda item 7 and the discussions made in plenary.

 

The Group completed the task of preparing terms of reference for the revision of Model Course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities. The Group used the template set out in annex 3 of the document HTW 4/3.

 

Action requested of the Sub-Committee

 

The Sub-Committee is invited to consider this report in general and, in particular, to:

1. endorse the preliminary list of specific areas identified for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code (paragraph 5 and annex 1);
2. note the Group’s discussion and decide whether, in the early stages of the review process, an intersessional working group (ISWG) or a virtual meeting of the Correspondence Group should be held in between the sessions of HTW 10 and HTW 11 (paragraph 6.3);
3. endorse the road map for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code (paragraph 6 and annex 2);
4. note the Group’s discussion and confirm whether Dominica will take on the role as course developer for revision of Model Course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (paragraph 7.3);
5. endorse the draft terms of reference for the revision of Model Course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities to include the competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including SASH (paragraph 7 and annex 3); and
6. establish a working group to address the issues identified in annex 2 for HTW 10.

 

Preliminary List of the specific areas identifies for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code

 

1 Emerging technologies on ships and ship operations

2 Digitalization in seafarers’ certification, including e-certification.

3 Emerging technologies in education and training

4 Facilitation, flexibility and quality of onboard, shore-based and workshop skills training, including use of simulators.

5 Flexibility and efficiency in implementation of new training requirements and reduction of administrative burdens

6 Requirements for sea time or practical experience in relation to new and emerging technologies including the use of simulation.

7 Bullying and harassment, including SASH, gender diversity and gender sensitization.

8 Mental health

9 Twenty-first century and interpersonal skills

10 Addressing inconsistencies.

11 Addressing different interpretations.

12 Addressing taxonomy and terminologies.

13 Flexibility in revalidation and renewal of certificates and endorsements

14 Overview of the implementation of the Convention, in particular the need to update the STCW “White List”

15 Lessons learned.

16 Flexibility

17 Alternative certification under chapter VII

18 Watchkeeping arrangements and principles to be observed (chapter VIII)

19 Alignment of STCW with requirements placed on ships, seafarers and shipowners by other IMO and relevant international instruments.

20 Cybersecurity awareness

21 Implementation and transitional provisions

22 Addressing outdated training requirements.

 

• Road map for the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code was established to start in 2024 and continue with HTW, MSC and working groups until its final approval in autumn 2027.

 

• The revision of Model Course 1.21 on Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities should address all competencies and related Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) requirements of table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code, taking into account the guidance of section B-VI/1 of the STCW Code. The model course should not exceed the competencies and KUP of the STCW Code but needs to consider and incorporate recent amendments to table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code to include the new competence for contributing to the prevention and response to bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) and best practices of the industry. The model course revision should support competency-based outcomes in line with column 4 of table A-VI/1-4 of the STCW Code. The course should also consider the challenges faced by seafarers, taking into account the unique nature of their working and living environment.  Expected to be submitted to the IMO Secretariat In September 2024.

 

Source IMO