IMO has issued advice to port state control officers that, for a period of six months after the February 1, 2002 implementation deadline for the revised Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 95), ships whose officers do not hold STCW 95 certificates or flag state endorsements need not be detained. The move comes in recognition of the fact that many seafarers have not yet been able to obtain the necessary certification required by the convention and that Parties to the convention have had difficulties in concluding the arrangements required to process reciprocal recognition endorsements.
