Security Training to Become Mandatory for Seafarers

The Manila amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers Code (the STCW Code) came into force on 1 January, 2012. The revised Code (known as STCW 2010) introduced new minimum rest hours with immediate effect and a timetable of implementation dates for training and certification arrangements.

The key implementation dates are as follows:
 

• July 1, 2013: New entrants commencing training are required to do so according to the standards laid out in STCW 2010.
• January 1, 2014: Mandatory security training for seafarers in accordance with STCW 2010 is required.
• January 1, 2017: STCW 2010 certification is required for all seafarers.

There are three levels of security-related training required.
 

• All people employed or engaged on a seagoing ship must receive security-related familiarization training conducted by the ship security officer or other equally qualified person.
• All seafarers must receive approved security awareness training or instruction that can be conducted on board ship or ashore. This is not ship-specific and only has to be completed once.
• Any seafarer who has designated security duties shall undertake approved security training meeting the requirements of Table A-VI/6-2 of the STCW Code.

Seafarers who commenced approved seagoing service before January 1, 2012, shall meet the requirements for security awareness training or designated security duties, provided they have a minimum of six months approved seagoing service in the previous three years and have performed the required security duties, or have passed an approved test or successfully completed approved training.

From January 1, 2014, seafarers who do not meet the requirements must receive appropriate training before being employed on a seagoing ship.