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The revision of SOLAS chapter V has firmly established the electronic navigational chart as part of the international maritime safety system. Its possible recognition as a paper chart equivalent confirms the considerable safety benefits provided by the Electronic Chart Display and Information Systems (ECDIS). Effective training methods for navigators in compliance with STCW'95 convention and IMO model courses are considered along with additional training programs which aim at higher competencies than the minimum requirements for the competencies shown in STCW. The provision of model courses could help instructors improve the quality of existing courses and enhance their effectiveness in meeting the requirements of the IAMU. The results of IAMU research project FY2004 sponsored by the Nippon Foundation entitled "IAMU Handbook on ECDIS" is presented.

Continuation of the Safe Ship series with an examination of improvments scheduled for the International Convention on Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) by IMO's Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping (STW). Addressed issues include inadequate training and qualification of third world crews reductions in crew size multinational crewing longer work hours and language barriers. The Convention is intended to improve minimum standards and establish a quality assurance or accreditation scheme.

Factors which will affect the operation and manning of world fleets include the growth of merchant fleets in developing countries compliance with increasing international codes conventions and practices especially STCW 1978; rapidly changing technology prompting new job responsibilities and manning structures and economic aspects The IMO STCW 1978 convention discussed in detail

Although Maritime Education and Training (MET) activities have been undergoing constant changes this century only in the last few years have simulators been developed as a helpful tool in training seafarers. A simulator does not need to be complex or expensive but simple devices will suffice. A good example of this is simulation by way of a personal computer (PC). The STCW-78 and STCW-95 Convention is looked at briefly. The use of simulators in MET activities are reviewed. The advantages and disadvantages of simulator use are outlined. The Chilean experience of simulators is described in some detail.

The role of the World Maritime University (WMU) is described. Trends in post-secondary education over the past 35 years are considered. These trends have two broad phases: worldwide expansion in the 1960s and 1970s followed by reduction in the 1980s because of economic political and demographic factors. Up to now maritime education and training (MET) has been quite parochial however concern about inadequate seafaring competence has led to a revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 78). The revision sets out global standards that are likely to impact MET in a positive way if they are adopted.

A close investigation of casualty analyses particularly focusing on the causes of accidents clearly indicates that standards are not applied correctly. When human factor issues are studied carefully it is evident that there are ommissions in the education and training programmes recevied by the seafarers involved in accidents. International Maritime Organisation (IMO) priority in recent years has been to revise the most importnat international treaty dealing with crew standards- the International Convention of Standards of Training Certification and Watch-keeping for Seafarers (STCW). but IMO does not oversee the implementation of STCW or assess conformance to the requirements. IMO cannot work alone. According to Ziarati governments and related industry should show the same determination to implement these standards and monitor and/or assess or accredit the education and training of seafarers to a given norm accpetable by all concerned. This paper reports on a major European Union funded project instigating an integrated programme of education and training for merchant navy officer including higher ranks. The project has adapted cross-referencing techniques and an analysis methodology viz. Pareto to identify the problems that offer the greatest potential for improvements by showing their relative magnitudes and frequencies.

The current legal status of electronic charts within the UK's merchant shipping regulatory regime is examined in the light of widespread conversion from paper to electronic charts. Carriage requirements contained in SOLAS 1974 Chapter V are reviewed with special attention to- the need to carry nautical publications and to the definition of Electronic Navigational Chart; type testing and type approval for ECDIS currently on a national basis only by appropriate Nominated Bodies; and Training and Certification for Electronic Chart users currently according to the requirements of the 1995 revision of IMO International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW); and the ISM Code's impact on training requirement incorporated into the SOLAS Convention as Chapter IX and into UK domestic shipping legislation through the Merchant shipping Regulations(Ro-ro passenger ferries 1997 and the Merchant Shipping Regulations (International Safety Management) 1998 Proposed UK-specific requirements for RCDS mode of operation within ECDIS.

That there is no international qualification for a ship's cook enshrined in the STCW Convention or indeed in anything else perhaps speaks for itself.

The implementation of the STCW 1995 convention is examined from the perspective of the flag state. Some of the issues arising from this are then considered together with the potential difficulties. This paper is followed by some 11 pages of overhead projection slides detailing the same information.

A comprehensive review of IMO concerns regarding the transport of hazardous liquids in bulk includes discussion of: extent of the problem and relevant existing IMO conventions SOLAS and MARPOL; the environmental threat from oil chemicals and other goods; existing safety standards for gas (IGC Code GC Code) and chemical (IBC Code BCH Code) tankers; IMO's current work on evaluation of hazards of harmful and toxic substances carried by ships including an outline of the hazard evaluation procedure; general principles for ship reporting systems and ship reporting requirements including guidelines for reporting incidents involving dangerous goods harmful substances and marine pollutants; the HNS convention and protocol currently in preparation; the STCW and STCW-F conventions and their associated conferences timetabled for mid 1995; the framework and effective implementation of the ISM Code; and an outline of the current work of the sub-committee on flag state implementations including Port State control.

The synopsis (only) supplied briefly outlines the functions carried out by the Singapore Marine Department in particular that of implementing various international regulations including the STCW Convention.

Since the introduction in 2002 of the International Management Code for the Safe Operation of Ships and Pollution Prevention (ISM Code), and the 1995 revision of the 1978 Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Code), questions have been raised about whether it is possible to develop a safety culture in a fragmented, global industry and what effects the diversity of cultures might have upon implementation of the ISM Code. This study explores those questions. Subsequent to a review of the literature, a model of the working of the ISM Code is developed and used to identify the constraints and pressures, particularly those that might be influenced by cultural values and attitudes, that impact upon the development and implementation of a Safety Management System in individual shipping organisations. From analysis of the data the study concluded that professional, vocational and safety training correctly utilised are effective in harmonising culturally influenced safety perspectives, thus improving safety performance; and culturally influenced constraints and pressures can be dealt with by the application of standard management techniques which, in a multi-cultural environment requires good cross-cultural management skills.

Conference held in London 20-21 February 1997 Global systems: what is available - Spencer Corporate systems: what is the key objective - Slesinger Optimum shipboard systems seamless communications - West How should we manage what we already have - Cox ISM code compliance - Vardakis Information technology (IT) applications to maintain and enhance quality management systems - Parker The revised STCW convention - Bell Eliminating paper - Nilson

In 1995 amendments to the International Convention on STCW (Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers) 1978 were adopted. As a result the requirements to the crewmembers' competency and their training were formulated. The basic ideas of ballast or cargo operation simulators are described including LNG LPG Crude Oil and Chemical Tanker models. These have the same inner programme organisation and their own specific training abilities.

Forthcoming requirements concerning marine safety standards relating to professionalism navigation and survival at sea are examined notably: the International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers 1978 (the 1978 STCW Convention) due to enter into force on 28/04/1984 and relevant to the professionalism of seafarers discussion includes human factors the establishment of global standards of competence certification manning provisions transitional provisions dispensations watchkeeping and control procedures; the 1981 SOLAS Amendments due to enter into force on 01/09/1984 and relevant to navigational safety discussion is centred around compass and radar requirements and the Automatic Radar Plotting Aid (ARPA); and the 1983 SOLAS Amendments (to Chapter III) due to come into force on 01/07/1986 and relevant to survival at sea details are concerned with requirements for equipment intended to mitigate the effects of exposure which are outlined for new and existing passenger and cargo ships.

The use of electronic software for different ship duties and operational scenarios makes simulator-based education and training most effective. The simulator training discussed here is a practical course on instrumentation and controls in the engine-room of a merchant navy ship to gain experience in scanning instrument displays and to assess the normal operating conditions of a plant. The instructor must be an effective teacher having the necessary experience with the plant being simulated to enable him to cope with the demands for the training and assessment methodologies required under the ICSTCW (STCW Convention).

Simulator-based training is recognised by the international convention on STCW'95 and the Revised IMO model course 2.07 (ERS (engine room simulator)). In this study the effective training methods are proposed using the full-mission ERS in MTC (Marine Technical College). This program includes diesel propulsion system understanding training operational procedure planning training and teamwork training. The proposed ERS training was demonstrated for the senior level students of group training course in maritime education and training for safety management (engineering) in MTC. The results of the ERS training results are introduced.

A syllabus to harmonise the teaching of maritime pollution in the European Union MET (maritime education and training) maritime academies is proposed. The syllabus proposal is in line with the requirements of the STCW (International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping) code. Its development is described; subjects include sources and impact of marine pollution prevention of pollution from ships pollution response operations and compensation for pollution damage.

The application of simulators as a training tool has been recognised by the maritime industry and is now recognised by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) in the Revision of Standards for Training Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) convention. Kongberg Norcontrol Systems AS is a dominant player in the field of simulation development and is a leading supplier of realistic maritime training systems. Classification of simulators is discussed. Systems to be simulated include ship's bridge simulator; propulsion plant trainer; liquid cargo handling simulator; communications procedure trainer; vessel traffic services; oil spillage trainer; and the total ship simulator.

A brief account of the development of standards of training certification and watchkeeping for seafarers culminating in the IMO's 1978 STCW Convention which is currently undergoing revision is presented. Shortcomings of the existing (old) standards are considered in the light of a rapidly changing global industry. Recommendations for change consider: practical training at sea sea service retraining and updating safety induction training and manning. Crew competence combined with appropriate organisation and management of shipboard operations is considered essential for safe and efficient ships.