The Importance of Maritime Law in Seafarer Training Pursuant to Amendments to the STCW Convention

摘要

This paper explores the role of maritime law in seafarertraining pursuant to amendments to the STCW Convention of2010. The basic intention of the STCW Convention adopted in1978 was to harmonize national regulations, seafarer trainingand training programs, as well as the conditions and mannerof seafarer certification to raise general qualification levels ofseagoing vessel crews. The STCW Convention is occasionallyamended to allow legislation to take into account and stayabreast of the changing technical standards in shipping. Thelatest amendments to the STCW Convention were adopted at theManila Diplomatic Conference in 2010, and entered into force andeffect on 1 January 2012. Member states are required to completethe procedure of gradual implementation of the new provisionsby 31 December 2016, with all seafarers being required to obtaincertificates issued in accordance with the amended regulationsby 1 January 2017. Although ship navigation during sailing hasbeen significantly facilitated by the development of technics andtechnology, seafarers are now required to be well-versed in anincreasing number of maritime law regulations and procedurespromoting the safety of life and property at sea and the protectionof the marine environment, while simultaneously ensuringunobstructed exploitation of ships. The latest amendments tothe STCW Convention in this sense, in Model Course 7.01., imposeadditional seafarer training requirements, inter alia, broadeningthe scope of mandatory contents to be covered by maritimelaw courses required for the obtainment of the professional titleof ship officer. The paper pays especially close attention to thenewly adopted amendments and the conformity of nationallegislation proscribing seafarer training standards. However, it isexactly in the domain of seafarer training in maritime law thatharmonization may be said to be incomplete.