Proposed Rule Implementation of 1995 Amendments to STCW

Maritime Topics Maritime Training & Licensing
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The Coast Guard has published a [B]Proposed Rule[/B] for [I]Implementation of the 1995 Amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978[/I]

[FONT=Verdana]The Coast Guard proposes to amend its regulations to
fully incorporate the STCW Convention, as well as the STCW Code in the requirements for the credentialing of United States merchant mariners as found in 46 CFR Parts 10, 11, 12, and 15.
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The proposed rule appears in the November 17, 2009, [I]Federal Register[/I] (74 FR 59354) and is available at: http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/2009/pdf/E9-26821.pdf.

Please note that I am unable to discuss this rulemaking. Any comments should be submitted to the rulemaking docket, information on how to do so is found in the proposed rule.

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I wish I was a Maritime lawyer. Just trying to interpret that mess and figure out what is required for compliance ensures a lengthy career.

Do other countries really comply with STCW? Who ensures that they do?

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That’s a good question.

I would love to know how the UK MCA managed to slide the “yacht license” past the IMO. You can get a master’s license to carry 12 passengers across the Atlantic on a 250 foot 3000 ton (ITC) boat with less seatime than it takes to get a USCG AB ticket and none of that silly STCW RFPNW or OICNW stuff applies except for BST, AFF, and the medical care certs.

The engineer on that boat does not have to have spent a single day - literally not even an hour - working under the supervision of a licensed engineer. The only training required is STCW BST, and AFF. Most squeek through with some license prep courses.

Maybe the USCG folks aren’t schmoozing the right people at the IMO sessions?

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Looks like Danzante scooped Mr. Cavo. You can find the ongoing discussion here: