ECDIS training to be ratified by IMO in June

IMO News - 1.2010

SUMMARY: Proposed changes to the STCW Convention stipulating ECDIS training will probably be rubber-stamped by an IMO Diplomatic Conference in Manila in June.

The IMO Sub-Committee on Standards for Training and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STW) drafted proposed amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW). These are up for review at a Diplomatic Conference in Manila from 21 - 25 June, 2010.

One significant change to STCW applies to ECDIS training. Before ECDIS training was never explicitly required by the IMO (only implicitly). Now it will be required of all masters and deck officers of ships of 500 gross tonnes or more that are fitted with an ECDIS (even if it is not used).

The specific wording according to the proposal for STCW 41 in Manila:

5. Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of table A-II/1.

From column 3 of table A-II/1:

"Examination and assessment of evidence obtained from one or more of the following:

a. Approved training ship experience

b. Approved ECDIS simulator training"

The training here is understood to be synonymous with the general ECDIS knowledge stipulated in the IMO Model Course. Presumably, nations may add requirements for type-specific ECDIS training, as well.

For the full text of the proposed changes to STCW, click here.