THE STCW CONVENTION:
A HANDBOOK OF HIGHLIGHTS

Cover Page

COMMENTARY ON
CHAPTER VI:

EMERGENCY. OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY. MEDICAL CARE AND SURVIVAL FUNCTIONS

Chapter VI of the STCW Annex, and the associated sections of the STCW Code, encompass a wide variety of requirements, including (a) familiarization and basic safety training; (b) proficiency in survival craft; (c) training in advanced fire-fighting; and (d) medical care.

 

 

 

Caution Statement
Introduction
Parts that make up the Whole
An International Agreement
Commentary on Chapter I:
General Provisions
Commentary on Chapter II:
Master and Deck Department
Commentary on Chapter III:
Engine Department
Commentary on Chapter IV:
Radiocommunication & Radio
Personnel
Commentary on Chapter V:
Special Training for Personnel
on Certain Types of Ships
Commentary on Chapter VI:
Emergency, Occupational Safety,
Medical Care and Survival Functions
Commentary on Chapter VII:
Alternative Certification
Commentary on Chapter VIII:
Watchkeeping
Regulation VI/l Familiarization and basic safety training and instruction for all seafarers

The requirements in this regulation are divided into two categories. The details are specified in section A-VI/l of the STCW Code, and the required training or instruction must be provided before the seafarer concerned is assigned any shipboard duties.

All seafarers (i.e., persons who are working on the ship and are not classified as passengers) must receive either (i) approved training in personal survival techniques, based on table VI/l-l; or (ii) sufficient information and instruction to be able to take steps in an emergency to respond quickly, properly and safely. A checklist of these skills is set out in Section A-VI/l of the STCW Code. All seafarers who are working on the ship as part of the complement involved in manning, watchkeeping, emergency response training or instruction in four areas: personal survival; fire prevention and fire-fighting; elementary first-aid; and personal safety and social responsibilities. The standards of competence for these areas are set out in four-column tables in Section AVI/1 of the STCW Code. Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide evidence of achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within the previous five years of being assigned shipboard duties.

Except in respect of seafarers on passenger ships of over 500 gross tons on international voyages, and tankers, specific training requirements may be modified to suit a ship’s size and the length or character of its voyage.

Regu1ation VI/2 - Proficiency in survival craft rescue boats and fast rescue boats

Under this regulation, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats must (a) meet a minimum age requirement, (b) have approved seagoing service or a combination of approved training and seagoing service; and (c) meet the relevant standard of competence set out in Section AVI/2 of the STCW Code. A four-column table is provided in that section of the code. (This section of the code is referred to in the standard of competence in Chapters II and III, under the function of controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level.)

In addition to meeting the requirements described in the previous paragraph, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats must (a) attend an approved training course; and (b) meet the relevant standard of competence set out in a four-column table in Section A-VI/2 of the STCW Code.

Regulation VI/3 - Training in advanced fire-fighting

Those responsible for controlling fire-fighting operations on seagoing ships must (a) complete advanced training in techniques for fire-fighting, with an emphasis on organization, tactics and command, and (b) meet the standard of competence set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/3 of the STCW Code. Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate (as it is for certain operational level certificates under Chapter II and III), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having attended the training.

Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide evidence of achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within the previous five years of being certificated.

Regulation VI/4 - Requirements relating to medical first-aid and medical care

Those responsible for "providing" medical first-aid on seagoing ships must meet the standard of competence in medical first aid as set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code. This standard, which is higher than elementary first aid, must be met by officers at the operational level under Chapters II and III. The master must be able to organize and manage the provision of medical care on board under Table A-II/2.

Those designated to take charge of medical care on seagoing ships must meet the standard of competence in medical care as set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code.

Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate (as it is for a management level certificates under regulation 11/2), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having attended the appropriate training.

Except in respect of seafarers on passenger ships of over 500 gross tons on international voyages, and tankers, specific training requirements may be modified to suit a ship’s size and the length or character of its voyage.

Regu1ation VI/2 - Proficiency in survival craft rescue boats and fast rescue boats

Under this regulation, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats must (a) meet a minimum age requirement, (b) have approved seagoing service or a combination of approved training and seagoing service; and (c) meet the relevant standard of competence set out in Section AVI/2 of the STCW Code. A four-column table is provided in that section of the code. (This section of the code is referred to in the standard of competence in Chapters II and III, under the function of controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board at the operational level.)

In addition to meeting the requirements described in the previous paragraph, a candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats must (a) attend an approved training course; and (b) meet the relevant standard of competence set out in a four-column table in Section A-VI/2 of the STCW Code.

Regulation VI/3 - Training in advanced fire-fighting

Those responsible for controlling fire-fighting operations on seagoing ships must (a) complete advanced training in techniques for fire-fighting, with an emphasis on organization, tactics and command, and (b) meet the standard of competence set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/3 of the STCW Code. Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate (as it is for certain operational level certificates under Chapter II and III), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having attended the training.

Seafarers subject to this training requirement must provide evidence of achieving or maintaining the standard of competence within the previous five years of being certificated.

Regulation VI/4 - Requirements relating to medical first-aid and medical care

Those responsible for "providing" medical first-aid on seagoing ships must meet the standard of competence in medical first aid as set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code. This standard, which is higher than elementary first aid, must be met by officers at the operational level under Chapters II and III. The master must be able to organize and manage the provision of medical care on board under Table A-II/2.

Those designated to take charge of medical care on seagoing ships must meet the standard of competence in medical care as set out in the four-column table in Section A-VI/4 of the STCW Code.

Unless this training is already included as a qualification for a certificate (as it is for a management level certificates under regulation 11/2), the seafarer concerned is to be issued documentary evidence of having attended the appropriate training.