A Legal Analysis of the Manila Amendments to the STCW Convention

The competence knowledge qualification and professional skills of seafarers are the most critical factors in the safe and efficient operation of ships on the safety of life at sea and the protection of the environment.The aim of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) is to “promote the safety of life at sea and the protection of the marine environment among others by establishing in common agreement international Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for seafarers. It adopted the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers The STCW Convention 78 was amended and comprehensively revised in 1995 and 2010.The Manila Amendments aimed on the one hand to improve the existing provisions of the STCW and on the other hand to update the Convention with the latest technological developments. The revisions pertaining to maritime safety security and protection of the marine environment established new maritime training for deck and engine department created requirements for new capacities including adherence to the requirements for refresher and revalidation training.