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Committee On Human Element Training And Watchkeeping News

22 Feb 2024

Virtual Marine: Simulator Training is the Real Deal

(Photo: Virtual Marine)

In the commercial maritime and offshore industries, where worker safety and competency are crucial, effective training practices are an absolute must. While hands-on, in-the-field learning will always be a vital component of any mariner’s training, marine simulation has become a welcome enhancement to the education process. And in some cases, it’s seen as a safer alternative to traditional survival craft and rescue boat training.A leader in this space is Virtual Marine, based in Newfoundland and Labrador.

29 Apr 2019

Validation for IMO Model Courses

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) model courses are valuable tools that assist Member States and other stakeholders to develop detailed training programmes, to effectively implement the provisions of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended, and to achieve the knowledge and skills demanded by increasingly sophisticated shipping industry.According to the UN body, three new model courses and one revised model course have been put forward to the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 6, 29 April-3 May) for validation: draft new model courses on Advanced training for masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the International Code of Safety for Ship Using Gases or Other Low-flashpoint Fuels (IGF Code)…

16 Jul 2018

IMO Reviews Training Standards for Fishers

The ongoing comprehensive review of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) treaty on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) is set to continue this week. The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 5), meeting at IMO Headquarters (16-20 July), will continue its work to review the minimum standards of competence set out in the treaty in order to bring them up to date and reflect realities in the fishing industry. The STCW-F treaty was adopted in 1995 and entered into force in 2012. It is a key pillar among the international instruments addressing fishing vessel safety.

03 Feb 2017

IMO Accepts IMCA Paper as Basis for Updating DP Guidelines

John Bradshaw, IMCA’s Policy and Regulatory Affairs Manager, and Eleni Antoniadou IMCA’s Policy and Regulatory Affairs Adviser appear on a screen at the IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkekeping (HTW4) (Photo: IMCA)

The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has agreed to continue using the International Marine Contractors Association (IMCA) document covering the Guidelines for Training and Experience of Key DP Personnel as the basis of the IMO Guidelines for Dynamic Positioning System (DP) Operator Training (MSC/Circ.738). The IMCA Guidance on the Training and Experience of Key Dynamic Positioning Personnel (IMCA M 117) has recently been revised and earlier this week IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 4) agreed to revise MSC/Circ. 738 to reflect the revision.

10 Feb 2015

IMO Training for Mariners in the Arctic Finalised

The IMO has now agreed on training requirements for seafarers navigating Arctic and Antarctic waters. The requirements are to enhance safety of navigation in polar areas and to ensure that the crew is prepared for the special conditions. Last week, the IMO agreed on a set of new regulations for seafarers navigating Arctic and Antarctic waters. More specifically, this means that masters and navigating officers must complete special training in order to navigate ships in ice. One of the requirements is that the seafarers must acquire an improved understanding of the limitations to the crew, ship and the equipment applicable when operating in cold and desolate areas, with poor or no infrastructure in case of, for example, accidents and pollution.

26 Jun 2014

Maritime Fuel of the Future: Training to an Uncertain Standard

Despite its unquestionable allure, LNG as a fuel carries with it as many risks as it does answers to the problems it promises to solve. As industry and OEM’s work to remove any doubt, the collaborative effort outpaces the slow-moving regulatory machine. Even as Lloyds Register predicts that LNG will reach a maximum 11% share of marine propulsion solutions in 2030, it also says that segments with higher proportion of small ships will see the highest LNG uptake. And, at the same time, says the global classification society in its recent paper entitled, Global Marine Fuel Trends 2030, the marine fuel mix for bulk, containers and tankers…

25 Feb 2014

Seafarer Security Certification Guidance Reached

Photo courtesy IMO

Guidance on training and certification requirements for ship security officers and seafarers with designated security duties has been agreed by IMO, to address practical difficulties seafarers have reportedly experienced in obtaining the necessary security certification under the 2010 Manila amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and STCW Code. The guidance recommends that, until July 1, 2015, relevant training under section 13 (Training…

31 Jan 2014

IMO Update: Shipping in polar waters

Development of an international code of safety for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code). IMO is developing a draft mandatory International Code of safety for ships operating in polar waters (Polar Code), to cover the full range of design, construction, equipment, operational, training, search and rescue and environmental protection matters relevant to ships operating in the inhospitable waters surrounding the two poles. The work is being co-ordinated by the  Sub-Committee on Ship Desgin and Construction (SDC)  - formerly the  Sub-Committee on Ship Design and Equipment (DE). At its first session (20 to 24 January 2014), the SDC…

18 Dec 2013

ICS Suggests Security Training Grace Period

Peter Hinchliffe

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has raised concerns with governments about preparations worldwide for issuing tens of thousands of seafarers with new certificates for security-related training by January 1, as required by the 2010 amendments to the IMO Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 2010). In a written submission to IMO, ICS has suggested that IMO Member States might give consideration to the possibility of an…