Chapter III. Vocational training of seafarers

203. Article 2(e) of Convention No. 147 formulates the State's undertaking to ensure that seafarers employed on ships registered in its territory are properly qualified or trained for the duties for which they are engaged, due regard being had to Recommendation No. 137. This undertaking has been seen alongside that in Article 2(a) to have legislation laying down, for ships registered in the territory, safety standards including standards of competency. (Endnote 1) Although some overlap on that score there certainly is, it would seem that Article 2(e) also introduces elements which are not present in Article 2(a) -- in particular the promotional aspect of vocational training. The injunction in Paragraph 3 of Recommendation No. 155 to take steps with a view to laws and regulations containing provisions at least equivalent to both the 1975 Document for Guidance and Recommendation No. 137 also overlaps with the requirements of Article 2(e) of Convention No. 147.

204. Recommendation No. 137 applies to training for those in the deck, engine, radio and catering departments and for general purpose crews (Paragraph 1(2)). The seafarers' vocational training policy it outlines includes amongst its aims the constant improvement of abilities through training and retraining, keeping in mind the interests of the shipping industry and of seafarers, and with special reference to accident prevention (Paragraph 2). The authorities competent for planning national education and training policy should ensure the integration of seafarers' training facilities in the general scheme, with all due co-ordination and consultation on both sides of the shipping industry and periodical review of the arrangements; information should be disseminated for vocational guidance; the 1968 IMCO/ILO Document for Guidance, as amended, should be taken into account (Paragraphs 3 to 9). Finance should be adequate, with government sponsoring where appropriate, to enable all seafarers to participate in training: retaining in particular should be free, with sufficient income protection (Paragraph 10). There should be medical examinations and a general education requirement for entry into training: subjects covered should include navigation, seamanship, radio, electronics, engineering, catering and human relations, and the teaching staff should themselves have experience and qualifications; examinations related to the various seafarers' certificates of competency should be prescribed (Paragraph 11). Programmes should also deal with cargo handling, ship maintenance, life-saving and fire-fighting and other aspects of safety, propulsion installations, safe working practices (Endnote 2) (including first aid, and physical training, especially swimming), social and labour legislation and management; they should take account of general schooling, minimum age and practical experience requirements (Paragraphs 12 to 14). Induction training for young people and later upgrading by short or correspondence courses should be available (Paragraphs 15 to 17). Retraining, especially on job release, should emphasise the ability to handle new types of ships safely (Paragraphs 18 to 19). Modern methods should be used and practical training -- for example on training vessels -- should be an important feature (Paragraphs 20 to 25). International co-operation in all of these matters is encouraged (Paragraphs 4 and 26 to 27). (Endnote 3)

205. The countries which are bound by Convention No. 147 have provided more or less detailed information on seafarers' vocational training arrangements, although relatively little on its planning and administration and its setting in the context of general vocational training policies and programmes. The Committee has been particularly interested in information as to the development of new training institutions (Endnote 4) and the legislative framework for the training activities. (Endnote 5) Various governments have indicated that Recommendation No. 137 is taken into account, (Endnote 6) and the extent to which regard is had in turn to the Document for Guidance is in part evidenced by the numbers of those States which have adhered to the STCW Convention. (Endnote 7) Little specific information is available as to the qualifications and training of non-national seafarers: in one country (Endnote 8) the legislation particularly provides for non-nationals to obtain the essential certificates as officers, and another (Endnote 9) has indicated that foreigners may receive training if the appropriate fees are paid. The same country has referred in particular to private training arrangements for seafarers, although it states that there are no measures to co-ordinate them. Another (Endnote 10) has stated that it would consult the industry as to what further training measures might be necessary. One country, however, relies on training received by seafarers under programmes of other countries. (Endnote 11)

206. The arrangements made by those countries generally dovetail into the requirements of Conventions Nos. 53, 69 and 74 when they are ratified or where provisions substantially equivalent to Articles 3 and 4 of Convention No. 53 are applied in accordance with Article 2(a) of Convention No. 147. However, the Committee would stress that the measures called for under Article 2(e) (combined with Article 2(a)(i)) extend to other specialisations, especially radio, and to all ranks, including non-specialised or uncertificated ratings. For this reason the Committee has been encouraged by the information on additional training undertaken by some countries. One such (Endnote 12) has referred to requirements as to lifeboat operators and doctors and health supervisors on certain ships. Another (Endnote 13) states that in order to be registered as a seafarer an applicant must have reached a minimum age (17), and have completed a vocational training course and approved fire-fighting and personal survival courses or have had specified experience; the same Government lists the approved courses organised for officers and ratings entitled, for example, Pre-Sea Cadets, Survival, Efficient Deck Hand, Petroleum Tanker Familiarisation and Safety, Navigational and Engine-Room Watch Ratings, First Aid, Marine Studies, Radar Maintenance/Observer/Simulator. A third country (Endnote 14) has detailed the special training and qualifications required for tanker personnel; it has also supplied a copy of its regulations as to the qualifications of personnel on national ships for whom a certificate of competency is not required, which specify basic safety training, age, health, experience and training for those taking part in navigational watches (with additional requirements for those serving on tankers or responsible for survival craft, greasers, motormen, engine-room attendants, mechanics).

207. Several article 19 reports have referred to legislation (Endnote 15) or other arrangements for seafarers' training, such as a special institution, (Endnote 16) and in one case a regional maritime training centre. (Endnote 17) Some have indicated specifically that Recommendation No. 137 is taken into account, (Endnote 18) and that new measures are envisaged in this respect. (Endnote 19) In some other countries, information available relates only to legislation for apprenticeships. (Endnote 20)

208. The Committee would draw attention to the comprehensive nature of the two aspects of Article 2(e) of Convention No. 147 and Recommendation No. 137. First, the measures taken to ensure that seafarers are properly qualified or trained for the duties for which they are in fact employed apply to all crew members. Second, the measures taken to implement a national policy on vocational training for seafarers should be calculated to satisfy the need on board ship for officers and ratings, both specialised and general-purpose, who have the benefit of qualifications encompassing the best modern technology available in the shipping industry. These things are in the interests of both seafarers and shipowners.

Endnotes

Endnote 2

Endnote 3

Endnote 4

Endnote 5

Endnote 6

Endnote 7

Endnote 8

Endnote 9

Endnote 10

Endnote 11

Endnote 12

Endnote 13

Endnote 14

Endnote 15

Endnote 16

Endnote 17

Endnote 18

Endnote 19

Endnote 20

Cross references
Constitution: Article 19
Constitution: Article 22
Constitution: Article 35
Conventions: C053 Officers' Competency Certificates Convention, 1936
Conventions: C069 Certification of Ships' Cooks Convention, 1946
Conventions: C074 Certification of Able Seamen Convention, 1946
Recommendations:R137 Vocational Training (Seafarers) Recommendation, 1970