Question 1

What are the four STCW Basic Safety courses (STCW 95/2010 Manila) required for commercial seafarers?

Accepted Answer

Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR). STCW Basic Safety Training comprises Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting (FPFF), Elementary First Aid (EFA), and Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities (PSSR). These cover survival at sea, fire prevention and response, basic first aid, and safe working and social responsibilities aboard ship. STCW requires evidence every five years of maintained competence in PST and FPFF; it does not impose an equivalent five-year renewal requirement for EFA or PSSR. Basic training applies to seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity aboard ships within STCW's scope as part of the ship's complement with designated safety or pollution-prevention duties.

Question 2

A Master joining a UK-flagged commercial vessel is required to hold an ENG1 or an accepted equivalent. Their ENG1 expired two months ago, they have no valid equivalent, and no statutory exception or MCA authorisation applies. Can they legally take up the post?

Accepted Answer

No, the Master must obtain a valid ENG1 or accepted equivalent before joining, because no applicable exception or authorisation permits service.. In these circumstances, the Master must obtain a valid ENG1 or accepted equivalent before joining. There is no general two-month renewal allowance. However, a medical certificate that expires during a voyage can continue in force until the next port where an examination is available, for up to three months. In urgent cases, the MCA may permit service without a valid medical certificate until that port, for no more than three months, subject to conditions including possession of a recently expired certificate. Neither exception applies here. Expiry of an ENG1 does not itself invalidate a Certificate of Competency or automatically invalidate the vessel's insurance.

Question 3

STCW Code Section A-VIII/2 includes watchkeeping requirements when at anchor. What is the master's responsibility at anchor in an exposed or congested anchorage?

Accepted Answer

Arrange an appropriate anchor watch, with an officer on the bridge when considered necessary, position and conditions monitored, and machinery readiness set by the master's instructions.. STCW Code Section A-VIII/2, Part 4-1, paragraph 51 addresses navigational watchkeeping at anchor. If the master considers it necessary, a continuous navigational watch must be maintained at anchor. The officer in charge must monitor the vessel's position, maintain a proper lookout, observe meteorological and tidal conditions, and notify the master and take necessary measures if the vessel drags anchor. Main engines and other machinery must be kept in the readiness required by the master's instructions, rather than necessarily ready for immediate manoeuvring. An exposed or congested anchorage is an important consideration when the master determines the appropriate watchkeeping arrangements.

STCW, questions and explanations

What are the four STCW Basic Safety courses (STCW 95/2010 Manila) required for commercial seafarers?

A Master joining a UK-flagged commercial vessel is required to hold an ENG1 or an accepted equivalent. Their ENG1 expired two months ago, they have no valid equivalent, and no statutory exception or MCA authorisation applies. Can they legally take up the post?

STCW Code Section A-VIII/2 includes watchkeeping requirements when at anchor. What is the master's responsibility at anchor in an exposed or congested anchorage?

Practise this properly

STCW, questions and explanations

Questions

What are the four STCW Basic Safety courses (STCW 95/2010 Manila) required for commercial seafarers?

A Master joining a UK-flagged commercial vessel is required to hold an ENG1 or an accepted equivalent. Their ENG1 expired two months ago, they have no valid equivalent, and no statutory exception or MCA authorisation applies. Can they legally take up the post?

STCW Code Section A-VIII/2 includes watchkeeping requirements when at anchor. What is the master's responsibility at anchor in an exposed or congested anchorage?

Practise this properly