With major changes to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) for Seafarers and Code imminent, Regs4ships Limited has published amendments to their digital maritime regulations service.
Fully accepted on July 1, 2011, the Manila amendments agreed to by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and participating member states mark the first complete revision to the mandatory STCW convention and code since it was last updated in 1995. This significant re-write is designed to bring STCW up to date, ensuring that those who go to sea are correctly trained and certified aboard ships throughout the world.
Anumber of changes will come into effect on January 1, 2012, from improved measures to prevent fraudulent certification of competency to the new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, along with revised hours of work and updated standards to ensure seafarers are medically fit. Other changes include new certification for crew to be able to use modern technology, like electronic charts display and information systems (ECDIS), new requirements for marine environment awareness training and the introduction of new security training, to ensure crews are properly trained in case their ship comes under attack by pirates.
The amended STCW convention and code is now available online, along with all major IMO documentation, EU legislation, ILO conventions and state regulations for 15 of the world’s most popular flags.