Private sector pushes for single agency to lead compliance to the amended STCW Code

The delegates to the STCW Convention Familiarization Seminar held at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific in July.

ajority of shipping and seafaring stakeholders is set to lobby for the designation of a single government agency to guarantee the country’s compliance to the new provisions of the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) Code.

According to the group, having a single agency taking the lead would be the best solution considering the time constraints before the new provisions takes effect.

The amendments to the STCW Code, dubbed as the Manila Convention, is set to take effect this coming New Year’s Day or January 1, 2012 worldwide.

In the resolution dated July 22 that was adopted by the stakeholders during the 5-day STCW Familiarization Seminar held at the Maritime Academy of Asia and the Pacific, stressed that the Philippines is committed to comply fully with the new provisions of the Code.

“The current regime in the implementation of the STCW Convention in the Philippines is fragmented into various government agencies and, therefore, do not conform with the STCW Convention implementation,” the resolution showed.

“It is a requirement under the STCW Convention to have just one Administration for all the regulations of the STCW Convention,” the resolution stressed.

“In consideration of the above premises, we, the private sector participants recommend to all government agencies involve in the implementation of the STCW Convention and Code, as amended in 2010, to agree among themselves on a Single Administration Agency which will be solely and fully responsible to give full and complete effect of the implementation of the STCW Convention and Code, as amended in 2010, on or before 01 January 2012,” the
resolution said.

The group also resolved that they will recommend to the President to certify urgent to both Houses of Congress an Administration bill that will designate a Single Administration agency as well as recommend to both Houses of Congress to pass the certified administration bill designating a single administration agency and complete the effect the implementation of the STCW Convention and Code.

Those who signed the resolution, meanwhile, include, among others, Capt. Victor Del Prado of Fame and Filscapts; C/E Alfredo Haboc and Merle San Pedro of PAMTCI; Capt. Ronald Enrile and Pol Winston Habor of PTC; Capt. Severo Cuison, Jr. of MMAP; C/E Alfredo Firme of MAAP-AMOSUP; Benito Chiongbian of PAMI; and Engr. Nelson Ramirez of the UFS.

Amongst the amendments, adopted during the 5-day Convention held in Manila in June of 2010, are a number of important changes to each chapter of the Convention and Code, that includes improved measures to prevent fraudulent practices associated with certificates of competency and strengthen the evaluation process (monitoring of parties’ compliance with the convention); revised requirements on hours of work and rest and new requirements for the prevention of drug and alcohol abuse, as well as updated standards relating to medical fitness standards for seafarers; new certification requirements for able seafarers; new requirements relating to training in modern technology such as electronic charts and information systems; new requirements for marine environment awareness training and training in leadership and teamwork; new training and certification requirements for electro-technical officers; updating of competence requirements for personnel serving on board all types of tankers, including new requirements for personnel serving on liquefied gas tankers; new requirements for security training, as well as provisions to ensure that seafarers are properly trained to cope if their ship comes under attack by pirates; introduction of modern training methodology including distance learning and web-based learning; new training guidance for personnel serving on board ships operating in polar waters; and new training guidance for personnel operating dynamic positioning systems.

As of the moment, the Philippines comprise about 30% of the manpower manning the entire global fleet. ?