IMO MEETING REPORT
DATE: 9th February 2016
COMMITTEE: MSC
ATTENDEE: Andy Williams
SUB GROUP: HTW
PRINCIPAL ISSUES:
This was the 3rd session of the Sub-Committee on Human Element Training and Watchkeeping, held from
the 1st to 5th February 2016 and attended by ICOMIA on 1st February only. This Sub-Committee was
formerly known as STW.
The meeting agenda was as follows:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Adoption of the agenda
Decisions of other IMO bodies
Validated model training courses
Reports on unlawful practices associated with certificates of competency
Guidance for the implementation of the 2010 Manila Amendments
Comprehensive review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention
Role of the human element
Revision of the Guidelines on Fatigue
Revised Guidelines on the Implementation of the ISM Code by Administrations (resolution
A.1071(28)) on training audits
10. Review of STCW passenger ship-specific safety training
11. Amendments to SOLAS chapter II-1 and associated guidelines on damage control drills for
passenger ships
12. Completion of the detailed review of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
13. Revision of requirements for escape route signs and equipment location markings in SOLAS and
related instruments
14. Amendments to the IGF Code and development of guidelines for low-flashpoint fuels
15. Review MODU Code, LSA Code and MSC.1/Circ.1206/Rev.1
16. Biennial status report and provisional agenda for HTW 4
17. Election of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for 2017
18. Any other business
19. Report to the Maritime Safety Committee
Three working groups and one drafting group were established as follows:
1. Working Group 1 on Training Matters. The terms of reference of this group were:
Agenda item 10:
1. Consider document HTW 3/10 as the base document and, taking into account section 5 of
document HTW 3/5 related to "Training and Instructions" and some points from document
HTW 3/10/1, prepare draft amendments to the STCW Convention related to passenger
ship-specific safety training for consideration by the Sub-Committee, with a view to
approval by the Committee.
Agenda item 11:
2. Consider document HTW 3/WP.7, annex containing draft new SOLAS regulation II-1/19-1
relating to the drill frequency requirements in square brackets, and advise the SubCommittee, as appropriate.
Agenda item 18 (part):
3. Further consider document HTW 3/18/1 on the draft MSC Circular on Guidelines for port
State control officers on certification of seafarers' rest hours based on the International
Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers
(STCW), 1978, as amended, and manning requirements from the flag State, in particular,
taking into account paragraphs 6.2.24, 6.2.26, 6.4.2.2, 7.2.7, 7.3.2.4 and 7.3.2.14 of
document III 1/18, annex 5, and document III 2/16 (paragraph 7.12) for consideration by
the Sub-Committee with a view to approval by the Committees.
2. Working Group 2 on Training Matters. The terms of reference for this group included :
1. Consider document HTW 3/5/1 together with document HTW 2/6/1 on STCW-related
information to be communicated through GISIS to reduce administrative burden, and
advise the Sub-Committee, as appropriate.
2. Based on MSC 95/19/3 and taking into account HTW 3/6, develop the principles and the
scope of the review of the 1995 STCW-F Convention for endorsement by the SubCommittee with a view to approval by the Committee, before undertaking, as a second
step, the authorized review in a systematic and organized manner.
3. Working Group 3 on Human Element issues. The terms of reference for the group were:
Agenda item 8:
1. Consider documents HTW 3/8 (revision of the Guidelines on fatigue in the annex to
MSC/Circ.1014), HTW 3/8/1 (proposed amendments to the Guidelines on fatigue in the
annex to MSC/Circ.1014) and HTW 3/8/2 (ICS) providing comments on the proposal for
the revision of the guidelines, together with document MSC 95/9/3 (Proposed approach for
the revision of the Guidance on Fatigue), and develop draft revised Guidelines on Fatigue
for consideration by the Sub-Committee, with a view to subsequent approval by the
Committees.
Agenda item 9:
2. Consider document MSC 95/19/6 (Proposal to amend the Revised Guidelines on
implementation of the International Safety Management (ISM) Code by Administrations
(resolution A.1071(28)) and prepare amendments to resolution A.1071(28), for
consideration by the Sub-Committee, with a view to subsequent approval by the
Committees.
Agenda item 15:
3. Consider the proposals and comments related to manning in document SSE 2/12,
paragraphs 12 and 13 of the annex, and paragraph 12 of document SSE 2/12/1, with a view
to providing general advice and input to SSE 3.
4. Drafting Group 1 on the Validation of Model Training Courses. The terms of reference for the group
were:
1. Compare the scope of the provisions in the STCW Code related to training in documents
HTW 3/3/1 (Advanced training for chemical tanker cargo operations), HTW 3/3/2
(Radar navigation at operational level), HTW 3/3/3 (Personal safety and social
responsibilities) and HTW 3/3/4 (Engine-room simulator) and the contents of the
aforementioned draft model courses as presented, with a view to validation by the SubCommittee.
2. Taking into account the annex to document HTW 3/3/7 (Secretariat) that provides a
template, prepare draft terms of reference for the review groups in accordance with
MSC-MEPC.2/Circ.15, annex 2, for the following model courses which have been
authorized by the Sub-Committee to be developed or reviewed with a view to validation
by HTW 4:
1. Draft model course on "Ratings as able seafarer engine in a manned engineroom or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room"
(document HTW 3/3/5).
2. Draft model course on "Ratings forming part of a watch in a manned engineroom or designated to perform duties in a periodically unmanned engine-room"
(HTW 3/3/6).
3. Draft revised model course 3.12 on Assessment, Examination and Certification
of Seafarers.
4. Draft revised model course 6.09 on Training course for Instructors.
5. Draft revised model course 1.30 on On-board assessment.
6. Draft model course on Basic training for masters, officers, ratings and other
personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code.
7. Draft model course on Advanced training for masters, officers, ratings and other
personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code.
8. Draft model course on Basic training for masters, officers, ratings and other
personnel on ships operating in Polar Waters.
9. Draft model course on Advanced training for masters, officers, ratings and other
personnel on ships operating in Polar Waters.
10. Draft model course for Ratings as Able seafarer deck.
ITEMS OF INTEREST TO THE LEISURE/SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY
Passenger ship training – The Sub-Committee agreed to the draft amendments to the STCW Convention
and Code regarding passenger ship training, for submission to MSC 96 for approval. The main change is
the requirement for emergency familiarisation to ensure that all crew have appropriate knowledge of:
 General safety features aboard ship.
 Location of essential safety and emergency equipment, including life-saving appliances.
 Importance of personal conduct during an emergency.
 Restrictions on the use of elevators during emergencies.
These amendments can be found at annex 1 to the draft report of the working group in attached document
HTW 3/WP.3.
Damage control drills for passenger vessels – The Sub-Committee agreed to the amended text of
paragraph 2 of the draft new SOLAS regulation 19-1 on Damage control drills for passenger ships, for
submission to MSC 96 for approval. This matter was referred to HTW from SDC 3 for consideration of
the appropriate frequency of these drills. It was agreed that damage control drills should be held at 3
month intervals. The amended draft SOLAS regulation can be found at annex 2 of the report of the
working group in attached document HTW 3/WP.3.
Revision of Guidelines on fatigue mitigation and management – The Working Group on human
element issues progressed the revision of the guidelines but due to time constraints did not complete the
work. The Sub-Committee agreed to establish a correspondence group to continue the work
intersessionally. The latest revision of the guidelines can be found at annex 1 of the report of the working
group in attached document HTW 3/WP.5.
Draft report of the Sub-Committee – The draft report can be found in attached document HTW3/WP.1.
ATTACHMENTS/SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION: