Guidance on seafarers' security training, certification agreed by IMO

THE UN's International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has agreed to guidance on training and certification requirements for ship security officers and seafarers with designated security duties. 

The action is intended to address difficulties experienced by seafarers in obtaining the necessary security certification under the 2010 Manila amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) and STCW Code. 

The guidance recommends that, until July 1 2015, relevant training under section 13 (training, drills and exercises on ship security) of the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code should be accepted as being equivalent to that required under the STCW Convention and Code, reported GAC Hot Port News. 

The guidance was agreed by the Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW), which expressed concern that large numbers of seafarers were reportedly unable to access approved training courses or be issued certification of security-related training in accordance with the STCW regulations.