NATIONAL MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORY COMMITTEE
(N-MERPAC)
TASK STATEMENT 21-4
STCW Convention and Code Review
- TASK DESCRIPTION
To provide the Coast Guard with recommendations on areas of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended (STCW) and the Seafarers Training, Certification, & Watchkeeping (STCW) Code to be considered during a potential review at the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
II. BACKGROUND
In 2010 following a review, the IMO adopted amendments to the STCW Convention and Code. Since the adoption of the 2010 Amendments there have been subsequent amendments adopted in 2014, 2015, and 2016. In 2019 The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) submitted a paper identifying a need for a comprehensive review of STCW at the IMO's Subcommittee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) sixth session (HTW 6) in May 2019. Additional non-governmental organizations submitted comments related to the ICS position and discussions on the topic in sued during plenary of HTW 6.
The U.S. position at HTW 6 was that a complete overhaul of the Convention is not necessary however; a number of issues could be improved, including: implementation and oversight, obsolete training requirements, and the review of the flexibilities provided in the Convention to ensure they can support the introduction of new technology.
The way forward is dependent on interested member states or international organizations submitting a request for a new output to IMO's Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) for a comprehensive review of STCW. A group of countries have submitted a request to MSC 104 (October 2021) which was deferred to MSC 105 where it is expected that it will move forward therefore, the output will be added to the HTW work program and scoping of the review would start at HTW 9 (date TBD). The follow-on review and drafting of amendments would take multiple years to complete and finally culminate with amendments entering into force 6-8 years from output approval.
In September of 2019 MERPAC met and the Coast Guard provided a brief on the status of this important topic and asked for stakeholder input on the potential way forward. The committee accepted it as Task 106, resulting in some recommendations being made at the September 2020 meeting.
III. PROBLEM STATEMENT
The Coast Guard is gathering input on the areas of the Convention and Code that should be amended in advance of the request by the IMO to carry out a review of the two instruments.
IV. TASK
1. Review the STCW Convention and Code, in its entirety.
2. Considering the following points:
- Current and potential future technologies
- Flexibilities required within the STCW Convention and Code
- Removal of Obsolete training requirements and incorporation of new training
- Review of sea service requirements and changes in Learning Technologies
3. Provide the Coast Guard with general areas of the STCW Convention and STCW Code that require IMO review. Include a justification for each area identified.
V. ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE TASK
N-MERPAC will provide its comments to the Coast Guard by the conclusion of the Spring 2022 meeting.
VI. COAST GUARD TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE
Mr. James Cavo (CG-MMC-2); james.d.cavo@uscg.mil
VII. WORKING GROUP CHAIR
George Edenfield; Rosemary Mackay___ 11/18/2021____ ___1___
Name Date Meeting #
_________________________________ _______________________________
Jerry Pannell Ms. Mayte Medina
Chairman U.S. Coast Guard
N-MERPAC Designated Federal Officer
ENCLOSURE: Enclosure 1 – HTW 6-12-3 Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code (ICS)
Enclosure 2 – HTW 6-12-5 Comments on document HTW 6-12-3 (IAMU)
Enclosure 3 – HTW 6-12-6 Comments on document THE 6-12-3 (ITF)
Accepted: 11/18/2021
Modified/Amended:
Closed:
