1. MERPAC SPRING 2008
COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL CONVENTION ON STANDARDS OF TRAINING CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING
Good Morning, my name is Luke Harden and I’m from the Office of Vessel Activities division of Mariner Credentialing Program Policy
Today I would like to share with you the results of the work completed at the 39th Session of STW
Specifically I will provide a description of the work completed on the Comprehensive Review of Chapters VIII, VI, II, III, and I of the STCW Convention and Code.
The individuals from the U.S. involved in the working group on these items were Mr. Strauch (NTSB), Mr. Wells, Mr McGovern, and Mr Compton.
I plan to tell you about the specifics of the work while providing you with the comparisons to the recommendations from MERPAC on these items.

2. CHAPTER VIII MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Fatigue cannot be addressed until manning addressed
Rest hours be documented on board
Incorporate GMDSS into VIII/2
Move Alcohol guidance B-VIII/2 Part 5 into a new VIII/3
STW 39 action:
No consolidated view on hours of work/rest
Both views require documentation
Agreed to new regulation (VIII/3) on Alcohol & drug abuse prevention
Regulation VIII/1 Fitness for Duty and the associated code was considered, the Group considered the documents with a view to harmonize the requirements of the STCW Convention and the STCW Code and ILO convention No 180 on Seafarers’ Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships, 1996.
After lengthy discussions, the Group was unable to agree on a single text. The Group spent hours debating whether certain aspects of the STCW convention could be completely harmonized with those of ILO, and to what extent harmonization was required or preferred. Several delegations had concerns with the inclusion of work hours into the Convention and with the inclusion of a reference to an ILO Convention in the mandatory provisions of the Convention.
Two separate proposals were forwarded for consideration at the next intercessional meeting. Both of the proposals contain requirements for documentation.
The group agreed to include a new regulation VIII/3 and the associated parts of the Code on “Alcohol and drug abuse prevention” It was noted that the proposed text does not include provisions to address this drug prevention

3. CHAPTER VIII, Part A MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
MERPAC agreed to retain the rest periods outlined in STCW
Use ILO MLC 2006 rest requirements
STW 39 action:
No consolidated view on hours of work/rest
Based rest hours on ILO MLC 2006
Bridge resource management from Part B to Part A
Agreed to new sections (Parts A & B) on Alcohol & drug abuse prevention (.05 limit)
Section A-VIII/1 there was no consolidated view on the hours of work/rest. The proposed changes incorporated the rest hours from the ILO MLC At least 77 hours of rest in any 7 day period.
Bridge resource management and engine resource management was moved from Part B of the Code to Part A of the Code.
Section A-VIII/3 agreed to the new sections on alcohol levels of .05 BAC.

4. CHAPTER VI MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Recommended no change to VI regarding revalidation
STW 39 action:
Did not specifically address
Nothing specifically discussed under Chapter VI of the Convention

5. CHAPTER VI, Part A MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Incorporate shipboard sanitation guide in PSSR
Add consequences of non-compliance with marine environmental awareness
Include occupational health issues into PSSR
Recommended no change to VI regarding revalidation
STW 39 action:
Agreed on areas of training that can’t be conducted on board
Agreed in principle to include training on marine environmental awareness in PSSR
Agreed to new competence on fatigue management
Agreed to the use of simulators as a means to assess competence for survival craft and rescue boats
Agreed to include communications for all mariners in PSSR
After lengthy discussions,, the Group agreed on the areas that cannot be conducted onboard. Furthermore, the group agreed that the areas should be forwarded to the MSC for their consideration. The WG felt strongly that Table A-VI/4-1 & A-VI/4-2 addressing medical related competences were not applicable to the concept of training which cannot be done on board ship.
With regard to the submission addressing marine environmental awareness, the group agreed in principle that there was a need for training for all seafarers and that if agreed it would be better placed in table A-VI/1-4, Personal safety and social responsibility. Furthermore, the group felt that the proposal as presented was too complex for consideration at this stage.
The group agreed to include a new competence on fatigue management as part of Table A-VI/1-4, Personal safety and social responsibility
The group agreed to include the use of simulator as a means to assess competence of seafarers for survival craft and rescue boats.
The group agreed to consider a number of proposals related to Communication and Leadership skills and BRM and ERM since the members felt the issues were interrelated. The group agreed that any “communication” related competence for all seafarers should be placed in Table A-VI/1-4, PSSR. Furthermore, the group agreed that leadership and managerial related information should be considered when discussion BRM & ERM for inclusion into the management level training in Chapts II & III

6. CHAPTER II MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Recommended conversion of time be converted from years to months.
Noted no inconsistencies with requirements for AB Deck
STW 39 action:
The working group agreed to make these amendments throughout the Convention and Code
Inclusion of proposed draft regulation for Able Seafarer Deck
The group discussed a proposal for the identification of potentially outdated requirements in the tables. However the Group recognized that due to the importance of this issue and due to time constraints there was no time to discuss this issue at this stage. The group invited relevant proposals related to potentially outdated provisions to the intersessional meeting.
The group agreed that the term “one year” should be replaced with “12 months” in regulation II/1 to ensure the consistency with other Convention requirements. The group recognized that this term may be used elsewhere in the Convention and Code.
The group agreed to include the proposed draft regulation and associated Code as contained in the Report of STW 38.

7. CHAPTER II, Part A MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Insert the two ECDIS tables of competence into Part A of the Code for Operational & Management level
Make ECDIS positive endorsement on Credential
Enhanced navigation unable to be covered in A-II
Include BRM section A-II
STW 39 action:
Relevant text for inclusion of ECDIS into the tables to be submitted to WG by Australia & U.S.
IBS/INS received much discussion and proposals were sought for the WG.
Invited further comment on leadership and management skills
Agreed to BRM in A-II/2 and included it in square brackets in A-II/1. Possibility of inclusion in KUPs
The group considered a proposal for the formal inclusion of ECDIS into the appropriate tables of competence and section B of the Code. The group agreed that it was not necessarily as simple as inserting the word ECDIS into the Convention. The U.S. and Australia volunteered to provide relevant text to the next session.
The proposal to include IBS & INS into the Convention generated much discussion. There were two primary views on the inclusion within the Code – the first group supported the inclusion, while others were of the view that it should not be mandatory, but rather only be guidance. The proposal was forwarded to the intersessional meeting and invited proposals.
The group considered including BRM and agreed with the mandatory application into table A-II/2 for management level personnel although there was disagreement as to whether this was also applicable to operational level personnel. The group prepared preliminary draft text.
The group agreed that proposed competencies of leadership and management skills, situational awareness and decision making should go into A-II/2 under the function of controlling the operation of the ship and care for persons on board. Some felt it should be considered in A-II/1 as well.
The group considered possibly including the information under the existing KUP in column 2 under the competence related to bridge teamwork procedures.
The group also sought input for input on proposals to ensure PSC ofcrs recognize proficiency under A-VI/2, 3, & 4

8. CHAPTER III MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
No change for familiarization training for automatic systems for OICEW
Recommend no change in time for education and training
Noted no inconsistencies with requirements for AB Engine
New requirements concerning gas turbines as separate endorsement under chapter V
STW 39 action:
Lengthy discussion with no consensus on education & training time
Electronic and Electro-technical officer required further discussion
Inclusion of proposed draft regulation for Able Seafarer Engine
The group spent considerable time discussing the proposal to delete the requirement for at least 30 months approved education and training. There were strong views on both sides of the issue – some that it was a reduction of the standard while others viewed it as no change.
The group discussed that due to the increasing complexities of controls systems and other systems that modern ships may need mandatory requirements for electronic &/or electro-technical officers. The group forwarded the proposals to the intersessional working group.
As with Able seafarer deck, the proposal for able seafarer engine was recommended to be included into the text as proposed in STW 38.

9. CHAPTER III, Part A MERPAC recommended: STW 39 action:
Recommended no changes to A-III regarding near-coastal provisions
Add PLCs to OICEW table under electrical function
Add reference to ERM in table A-III/1
Add competence for electrical safety to RFPEW
Addition of training on OWS, OWS Regs, consequences of pollution for all levels
Add new section for certificate on electrical propulsion/high voltage in chapter V
STW 39 action:
Invited further comment on leadership and management skills
No support to harmonize near-coastal provisions
Agreed to include knowledge of engine rule/lube systems
Agreed to increase in environmental awareness
As with deck officers, further comment was invited on leadership and management skills
The group considered a proposal to harmonize the requirements for near—coastal voyages between the sections in Chapt III. Many delegations opposed the proposal and were of the view that the term near-coastal voyage was irrelevant in that the engineer qualification should depend on the type and complexity of the equipment plant. Based on the discussion there was no support in the group for the proposal to harmonize on NCV and the preference was to retain the existing text.
The group agreed with the proposal to include knowledge of engine fuel and lubrication systems and prepared preliminary draft text for inclusion in the operational and management level tables.
The group agreed with a proposal to further increase environmental awareness particularly in the use of only water separators and prepared preliminary draft text for table A-III/1

10. CHAPTER I Working group did not discuss Chapter I issues
The group ran out of time and was unable to make meaningful progress on chapter 1 issues.

11. QUESTIONS?