International Convention of Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)

Adoption: 7 July 1978; Entry into force: 28 April 1984; Major revisions in 1995 and 2010

The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level.The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed.

The 1995 amendments, adopted by a Conference, represented a major revision of the Convention, in response to a recognized need to bring the Convention up to date and to respond to critics who pointed out the many vague phrases, such as "to the satisfaction of the Administration", which resulted in different interpretations being made.

The 1995 amendments entered into force on 1 February 1997. One of the major features of the revision was the division of the technical annex into regulations, divided into Chapters as before, and a new STCW Code, to which many technical regulations were transferred. Part A of the Code is mandatory while Part B is recommended.

Another major change was the requirement for Parties to the Convention are required to provide detailed information to IMO concerning administrative measures taken to ensure compliance with the Convention.Under Chapter I, regulation I/7 of the revised Convention, Parties are required to provide detailed information to IMO concerning administrative measures taken to ensure compliance with the Convention, education and training courses, certification procedures and other factors relevant to implementation.

STCW Convention chapters

Chapter I: General provisions

Chapter II: Master and deck department

Chapter III: Engine department

Chapter IV: Radiocommunication and radio personnel

Chapter V: Special training requirements for personnel on certain types of ships 

Chapter VI: Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions

Chapter VII: Alternative certification 

Chapter VIII: Watchkeeping