IMO MEETING REPORT

DATE: 25th February 2021 COMMITTEE: MSC

ATTENDEE: Andy Williams SUB GROUP: HTW

This was the 7th session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element Training and Watchkeeping, held virtually from the 15th to 19th February 2021.

ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE LEISURE/SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY

Validated model training courses – Due to the pandemic and the limited time available during the virtual session, the Sub-Committee postponed the validation of the following model courses to HTW 8:

New model course on Passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity training. Revised model course 2.03 on Advanced training in fire-fighting. Revised model course 1.22 on Bridge resource management New model course on Engine-room resource management.

The following model courses are initially planned for validation at HTW 8:

Revised model course 3.25 on Security awareness training for all port facility personnel. Revised model course 3.26 on Security training for seafarers with designated security duties. Revised model course 3.27 on Security awareness training for all seafarers.

The Sub-Committee endorsed the revision of the following model courses with a view to validation at HTW 9:

1.23 on Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats. 1.24 on Proficiency in fast rescue boats. 1.20 on Fire prevention and fire-fighting.

The purpose of IMO model courses is to assist administrations and training providers in the development of training programmes that assist in the effective implementation of international shipping legislation.

The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers’ certification and training – The US submitted attached document HTW 7/4/4 “Meeting standards of medical fitness during the COVID-19 pandemic” which details the challenges experienced by the US in regard to seafarers being able to undergo medical fitness examinations prior to the issue of a certificate of competency or proficiency. Norway submitted a related paper, HTW 7/4/5 “The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on seafarers' certification and

training” (attached). This paper highlighted the difficulties faced by seafarers in renewing various documents such as CoC’s, endorsements, medical fitness certificates etc as a result of the pandemic as well as the unavailability of refresher training and other continued professional development courses.

Following the discussion of the papers the Sub-Committee agreed the following:

To develop guidance to harmonise, as far as possible, the measures to be adopted by flag and port states in addressing the certification and training issues.

The establishment of a correspondence group with the following terms of reference:

1. Identify the main challenges faced by STCW Parties with regard to:1. issuance and renewal of certificates/documents, endorsements and extensions of validity;

and2. the provision of continued professional competence through refresher training:

2. in order to facilitate the harmonization of national interim measures related to certification and training of seafarers as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, to be applied by STCW Parties in the short term, prepare guidance containing a relevant set of measures and solutions, taking into account the national measures adopted by STCW Parties beyond the regime established in the 1978 STCW Convention and communicated by the Secretary-General in various circular letters.

3. consider possible adverse effects of the measures adopted, as a consequence of the COVID-19 pandemic, from the flag and port State's perspective, and advise the Committee; accordingly, and

4. submit a report to MSC 104.

Electronic certificates and documents of seafarers – The correspondence group that was established at HTW 6 submitted its report in attached document HTW 7/9. The group presented draft amendments to the STCW Convention and Code as well as draft guidelines on the use of electronic certificates and documents of seafarers. Following the discussion of the correspondence group’s report, the Sub-Committee agreed that further work was required and agreed to establish a new correspondence group with a view to finalising the draft STCW amendments and guidelines and to submit their report to HTW8. In light of this, the target completion year for this output has been extended to 2022. Draft report of the Sub-Committee – The draft report can be found in attached document HTW 7/WP.1.

PRINCIPAL ISSUES:

The meeting agenda was as follows:

1. Adoption of the agenda2. Decisions of other IMO bodies3. Validated model training courses 4. Role of the human element 5. Reports on unlawful practices associated with certificates of competency 6. Implementation of the STCW Convention7. Development of amendments to the revised guidelines for the development, review and

validation of model courses (MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15/Rev.1)8. Comprehensive review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention9. Development of amendments to the STCW Convention and Code for the use of electronic

certificates and documents of seafarers10. Development of measures to ensure quality of training as part of the mandatory seagoing service

required by the STCW Convention11. Development of measures to facilitate mandatory seagoing service required under the STCW

Convention

12. Development of training provisions for seafarers related to the BWM Convention13. Biennial status report and provision agenda for HTW 814. Election of chair and vice-chair for 202215. Any other business16. Report to the Maritime Safety Committee

Two working groups were established as follows:

1. Working Group on the implementation of the STCW Convention. The terms of reference of this group were:

1. Identify gaps in the communication of information system, taking into account documents HTW 7/6, HTW 7/6/1 and HTW 7/6/2, and the views expressed at HTW 6.

2. Based on the gaps identified, develop an action plan for enhancing the system, including, but not limited to, resource implications, possible use and revision of the "White List", and the need for developing guidance or procedures addressing the communication of information provisions, taking into account both MSC.1/Circ.1448 and MSC.1/Circ.1449.

3. Consider whether it is necessary to establish a correspondence group and, if so, prepare draft terms of reference for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

2. Working Group on the comprehensive review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention. The terms of reference of this group were:

1. Finalize draft medical standards and related provisions in the Convention and draft Code, including their placement in the referred instruments, taking into account documents HTW 7/8 and HTW 7/8/5,

2. Prepare a draft definition for the term "certificate of proficiency" in draft regulation I/1 of the Convention, currently referred to in the draft amendments to chapter III.

3. Consider:1. the draft amendment to the definition of "limited waters" in draft regulation I/1 of the

Convention, as set out in document HTW 7/8/6.2. Draft amendments and unresolved issues regarding draft regulations II/5-1, II/5-2,

II/6, II/7 and II/8 and corresponding sections of the draft Code, taking into account document HTW 7/8.

3. The draft amendments to chapters II and III of the draft Code to include sustainable fisheries training with special emphasis on marine plastic litter and reduction of CO2 emissions, taking into account document HTW 7/8/2 and the instructions provided by MEPC 74.

4. The draft amendment to regulation I/2 of the Convention for inclusion of a third gross tonnage equivalence for the length of 12 m, as set out in document HTW 7/8/7,

5. The draft amendments to regulation IV/1 of the Convention to include engineering watchkeeping provisions, as set out in document HTW 7/8/3.

6. The current structure of the draft provisions contained in sections B-II/a and B-II/b of the draft Code, which do not currently include competences, taking into account the information in document HTW 7/8/1, and advise the Sub-Committee accordingly.

4. Prepare draft provisions on onboard safety familiarization in section B-III/I of the draft Code, taking into account document HTW 7/8/1.

5. Prepare a draft resolution addressing training on response against piracy and armed robbery for skippers, officers and engineer officers of fishing vessels entering high risk areas, taking into account document HTW 7/8/4.

6. Update the work plan for the completion of the comprehensive review of the STCW-F Convention, initially developed at HTW 6.

7. Consider whether it would be necessary to re-establish a correspondence group and, if so, prepare draft terms of reference for consideration by the Sub-Committee.

ATTACHMENTS/SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: