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FM AMEMBASSY LONDON
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RUWDQAC/COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC

UNCLAS LONDON 000295 
 
SIPDIS 
 
IO/OIC FOR M. MORRISSEY 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: EWWT IMO UK
SUBJECT: IMO/STW: 41ST SESSION OF THE SUBCOMMITTEE ON 
STANDARDS OF TRAINING AND WATCHKEEPING (STW), LONDON, 
JANUARY 11-15, 2010 
 
¶1. SUMMARY: The 41st session of the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO) Subcommittee on Standards of Training and 
Watching (STW S/C) met in London from 11-15 January, 2010, 
chaired by Rear Admiral Peter Brady (Jamaica). The session 
was attended by delegations from 90 member states, 2 
associate members, 1 United Nations specialized agency, 
observers from 4 intergovernmental organizations, and 
observers from 22 non-governmental organizations. Two working 
groups (WG) were formed to address agenda item 7, the 
comprehensive review of the Standards of Training, 
Certification and Watching (STCW) Convention and the STCW 
Code.  One WG was formed to address agenda item 8, a review 
of the Principles for Establishing the Safe Manning of Ships. 
USDEL objectives were achieved. Accomplishments and outcomes 
of particular interest are below.  END SUMMARY. 
 
Agenda item 7: 
Comprehensive Review of the STCW Convention and STCW Code 
--------------------------------------------- ------------ 
 
¶2.  The S/C discussed the proposed amendments to the 
Convention and Code emanating from the September 2009 second 
intersessional working group, and finalized the draft text 
for the consideration at the STCW Diplomatic Conference. 
Issues of interest follow. 
 
¶3. Chapter I - General Provisions. The following issues will 
be finalized at the Diplomatic Conference: 1) whether or not 
to include provisions that would allow for the release of the 
countries audit reports to other countries upon request; and 
2) placement of the table for assessment of minimum entry 
level and in-service physical abilities for seafarers in Part 
A or Part B of the STCW Code. The WG finalized: 1) the 
definitions; 2) the summary tables indicating the type of 
certificate to be issued under each regulation; 3) the table 
for in-service eyesight standards; and 4) the harmonization 
and methods for the revalidation of certificates. 
 
¶4. Chapter II - Master and Deck Department. The WG agreed: 1) 
to include elements relating to leadership and managerial 
skills, situational awareness and decision making at the 
operational level; and 2) to include basic safety training 
requirements for deck officers. 
 
¶5. Chapter III - Engine Department. The WG agreed: 1) to 
update the competence tables for officers in charge of an 
engineering watch, Chief Engineers, and 2nd Engineers and 
amend tables A-111/1 and A-111/2 accordingly; 2) to delete 
the requirement for a senior electro-technical officer and 
transfer the relevant competencies from the senior 
electro-technical officer to the electro-technical officer; 
and 3) to amend the requirements for an electro-technical 
rating to include different and flexible entry provisions and 
shipboard service to enable entry from different capacities. 
 
¶6. Chapter V - Special Training Requirements for Persons on 
Certain Types of Ships. The WG agreed: 1) to clarify the 
guidance related to a three month approved seagoing service 
and a one month onboard training program for certification in 
advanced training for tanker cargo operations; 2) to include 
additional guidance in order to clarify the term "immediate 
responsibility"; and 3) to finalize the guidance on training 
requirements for personnel on ships operating in polar waters. 
 
¶7. Chapter VI - Emergency Occupational Safety, Security, 
Medical Care and Survival Functions. The WG agreed: 1) to 
include provisions to require seafarers to provide evidence 
of having maintained the required standard of competence, 
every five years in areas where training cannot be conducted 
on board; and 2) to include mandatory training for seafarers 
related to the prevention and suppression of acts of piracy 
and armed robbery against ships under the security provisions. 
 
¶8. Chapter VIII - Watchkeeping. The S/C agreed to forward two 
draft texts in square brackets to the Diplomatic Conference 
related to the exceptions to the agreed hours of rest 
requirements - paragraph 9 of section A-V111/1 of the STCW 
Code, "Fitness for duty". 
 
¶9. The S/C, under Agenda item 8, continued its work to review 
the principles for establishing the safe manning levels of 
ships. The S/C discussed proposed changes to Resolution A.890 
(21) and agreed: 1) to prepare a draft revised Assembly 
resolution on Principles of safe manning; and 2) prepare 
draft amendments to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea Convention) 
regulation V/14. 
 
 
Agenda Items Addressed 
---------------------- 
 
¶10. The S/C addressed all of the agenda items during the 
meeting. Agenda items of interest follow. 
 
¶11. Agenda item 3 - Validation of Model Training Courses. The 
S/C agreed that the Secretariat and interested parties review 
and update the STCW model courses in a phased manner and to 
submit them in due course to the S/C for validation. 
 
¶12. Agenda item 4 - Unlawful Practices Associated with 
Certificates of Competency. The S/C noted the information 
provided by the Secretariat detailing the reports on 
fraudulent certificates for the year 2008. 
 
¶13. Agenda item 5 - Training of Seafarer Safety 
Representatives. Based on the outcome of the Joint MSC/MEPC 
(Marine Safety and Marine Environment) working group on the 
human element relating to amendments to the ISM 
(International Safety Management) Code, the S/C noted that 
there was no need for further action by the S/C and invited 
the Committee to delete this item from the work program. 
 
¶14. Agenda item 6 - Casualty Analysis. The S/C noted that the 
global loss of fishermen every year continued to be a cause 
of concern and that entry into force of the Torremolinos 
Protocol and the STCW-F Convention would be helpful in this 
respect. The S/C urged Member Governments to ratify these 
instruments at the earliest possible time. 
 
¶15. Agenda item 9 - Measure to Enhance Maritime Security. The 
S/C recalled that inclusion of appropriate security-related 
provisions in the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention 
and Code had already been dealt with and finalized under 
agenda item 7. 
 
¶16. Agenda item 10 - Development of an E-Navigation Strategy 
Implementation Plan. The S/C agreed to defer further 
consideration of this item to STW 42. 
 
¶17. Agenda item 11 - Revision of the Recommendations for 
Entering Enclosed Spaces Aboard Ships. The S/C agreed to 
defer further consideration of this item to STW 42. 
 
¶18. Agenda item 12 - Development of Model Procedures for 
Executing Shipboard Emergency Measures. The S/C invited 
parties and international organizations to submit revised 
proposals and information on existing relevant industry 
guidelines for consideration at STW 42. 
 
Re-Election of Rear Admiral Brady as Chairman 
--------------------------------------------- 
 
¶19. Agenda item 14 - The S/C unanimously re-elected Rear 
Admiral Peter Brady (Jamaica) as Chairman and Mr. A.H. 
El-Kayssi (Lebanon) as Vice-Chairman, both for the calendar 
year 2011. 
 
Next Session 
------------ 
¶20. The 42nd session of STW (STW 42) is tentatively scheduled 
for 24 to 28 January 2011. 
 
Visit London's Classified Website: 
http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Unit ed_Kingdom 
 
SUSMAN