The International Maritime Organization is an agency of the United Nations that regulates international shipping. The IMO sets global standards for maritime safety and security. The IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping considers the mariner component of shipping, including issues such as training, certification, IMO model courses, and seaman fatigue.
In preparation for the 8th Working Session of the Sub-Committee, the United States Coast Guard will be hosting a public, multi-day meeting to discuss maritime safety and security issues. The USCG meeting is scheduled for Feb. 7-11, 2022. Items to be discussed may include:
Role of the human element
Reports on unlawful practices associated with certificates of competency
Implementation of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Convention
Development of amendments to the Revised guidelines for the development, review and validation of model courses (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.1)
Comprehensive review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention
Development of amendments to the STCW Convention and Code for the use of electronic certificates and documents of seafarers
Development of measures to ensure quality of onboard training as part of the mandatory seagoing service required by the STCW Convention
Development of measures to facilitate mandatory seagoing service required under the STCW Convention
Development of training provisions for seafarers related to the Ballast Water Management (BWM) Convention
Report to the Maritime Safety Committee
If you are a member of the maritime industry and would like to offer your opinion to the Coast Guard, you can attend in this meeting via teleconference at (202) 475-4000 (Participant Code: 877 239 87#). However, there is a limit of 500 participants. Attendees can RSVP in advance by contacting the meeting coordinator, Mr. Charles Bright (Charles.J.Bright@uscg.mil).
STCW is a common phrase in the marine transportation industry. It stands for "Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping." The IMO's 1978 STCW Convention was extremely important for the safety of merchant mariners. For the first time, it established baseline requirements for training, certification, and watchkeeping for seafarers on the international level. There are five basic classes to qualify under STCW: Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities, Basic Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting, Personal Survival Techniques, Elementary First Aid, and Proficiency in Security Awareness. The courses are designed to increase safety for the vital commercial seaman supporting our country's maritime trade sector.
Despite great efforts by the IMO and USCG, commercial seamen are still maimed and killed on the job every year. While STCW is essential to continue improvement of maritime safety, negligence by a vessel owner or operator can still result in severe crewmember injury. If you or a loved one was hurt while working offshore, contact a maritime attorney at Mariner Law, PLLC. The firm represents injured Jones Act seamen, commercial fishermen, deckhands, ferry workers, engineers, and other crewmembers in Washington, Oregon, New York, Connecticut, Alaska, and nationwide. Call today for a free consultation: (253) 600-2531. You may be entitled to compensation under maritime law.
Source: United States Coast Guard