Ships operating in the polar environments are exposed to a number of unique risks. Poor weather conditions and the relative lack of good charts, communication systems and other navigational aids pose challenges for mariners.
IMO Regulatory Update for 2013
July 22, 2013 by 1 Comment
The present publication is an effort to gather and summarize all new IMO regulations that entered or are to enter into force during 2013. Active links to relevant documents/circulars/resolutions have been also included to make it easier for the reader to have a direct reference to the actual text of each regulation, or to documents analyzing the regulatory requirements.
Risk Assessing the Implementation of the New STCW
November 21, 2012 by 1 Comment
During the 3rd annual SAFETY4SEA forum held in Athens in October 2012, Apostolos Belokas, Managing Editor of SAFETY4SEA and Principal Consultant & CEO, SQE Marine Group, gave a very interesting speech on the implications of the requirements of the new STCW. Despite the fact that the new STCW has been accepted by a diplomatic conference in Manila back in June 2010, unfortunately many industry stakeholders are not aware of the implications of the new requirements and as a result they have not addressed their safeguards properly.
Filipino STCW compliance
October 24, 2012 by Leave a Comment
Those who think that all’s well with the Philippines’ maritime education and training (MET) system cannot be more wrong. A letter from the European Community Shipowners Association (ECSA) to its members dated 1st October 2012 bolsters the view that the world’s top crew supplier is not yet over the hump.
STCW Hours of Rest: Have you Done the Math Lesson?
June 21, 2012 by Leave a Comment
As you are well aware of IMO has amended the “fitness for duty – hours of rest” requirements to provide watchkeeping officers aboard ships with sufficient rest periods at the Diplomatic Conference to adopt amendments to the STCW Convention, (successfully completed in Manila on 25 June 2010).
Under the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention, in full implementations since 1.1.2012 all persons who are assigned duty as officer in charge of a watch or as a rating forming part of a watch and those whose duties involve designated safety, prevention of pollution and security duties (including Masters and catering staff NOT affected by previous regulation referring ONLY to those with watch duties) shall be provided with a rest period of not less than:
1.a minimum of 10 hours of rest in any 24-hour period; and
2.77 hours in any 7-day period.
Officer of the Watch 