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STCW V/3 IGF Code - For Personnel on Certain Types of Ship

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Training and Qualification of Masters, Officers, Ratings and Other Personnel on on Certain Types of Ship (New Amended Version June 2015)

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The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has adopted a mandatory code of safety for ships using gas or other low-flashpoint fuels (IGF Code).

The IGF Code established an international standard for ships using gases or other low-flashpoint fuels for propulsion, and entered into force on 1 January 2017. It contains mandatory provisions for the arrangement, installation, control and monitoring of machinery, equipment and systems using low-flashpoint fuels to minimize risk to the ship, its crew and the environment.

The IGF Code applies to ships using low-flashpoint fuels for which the building contract is placed on or after 1 January 2017, the keels of which are laid or which are at a similar stage of construction on or after 1 July 2017 (in the absence of a building contract), or the delivery of which is on or after 1 January 2021.

Ships which commence a conversion on or after 1 January 2017 to use low-flashpoint fuels (or use additional or different low-flashpoint fuels other than those for which the ship was originally certified) will also be required comply with the IGF Code (see SOLAS regulation II-1/56).

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STCW Code Section A-V/3 Chapter V (STCW 2010)

Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualification of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code

Basic training for ships subject to the IGF Code
  1. Every candidate for a certificate in Basic Training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall:

1.1 have successfully completed the approved basic training required by Regulation V/3, paragraph 5, in accordance with their capacity, duties and responsibilities as set out in Table A-V/3-1; and

1.2. be required to provide evidence that the required standard of competence has been achieved in accordance with the methods and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of Table A-V/3-1; or

.2. have received appropriate training and certification according to the requirements for service on liquefied gas tankers as set out in Regulation V/3, paragraph 6.

Advanced training for ships subject to the IGF Code
  1. Every candidate for a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall:

1.1 have successfully completed the approved advanced training required by regulation V/3, paragraph 8 in accordance with their capacity, duties and responsibilities as set out in Table A-V/3-2; and

1.2 provide evidence that the required standard of competence has been achieved in accordance with the methods and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of Table A-V/3-2; or

.2. have received appropriate training and certification according to the requirements for service on liquefied gas tankers as set out in regulation V/3, paragraph 9.

Exemptions

  1. The Administration may, in respect of ships of less than 500 gross tonnage, except for passenger ships, if it considers that a ship's size and the length or character of its voyage are such as to render the application of the full requirements of this section unreasonable or impracticable, exempt the seafarers on such a ship or class of ships from some of the requirements, bearing in mind the safety of people on board, the ship and property and the protection of the marine environment.

STCW Code Section B-V/3 Chapter V (STCW 2010)

Guidance regarding the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code

Note: The amendments will enter into force on 1 January 2017

PERSON WITH IMMEDIATE RESPONSIBILITY
  1. The term "person with immediate responsibility" as used in regulation V/3, paragraphs 7 and 9 means a person being in a decision-making capacity with respect to handling of fuel addressed by the IGF Code or other fuel-related operations.
PROOF OF QUALIFICATION
  1. The master of every ship subject to the IGF Code should ensure that the officer or the person with immediate responsibility for the fuel on board possesses the appropriate certificate, issued or endorsed or validated as required by regulation V/3, and has had adequate recent practical experience on board an appropriate type of ship to permit that officer or person to safely perform the duties assigned.
GUIDANCE REGARDING SEAGOING SERVICE
  1. The purpose of qualifying shipboard service is to provide training and knowledge for the safe use of fuels addressed by the IGF Code.
  2. To satisfy the experience appropriate to their duties on the ship on which they serve as referred to in regulation V/3, onboard training should:
    1.  emphasize practical "hands on experience" and be related to the employment of the seafarer, i.e. the training of deck and engineering departments may be different;
    2. be under the supervision of personnel qualified and experienced in the handling, characteristics and safety procedures of the fuels being used by the ship; and
    3. be on board a ship carrying fuels relative to the Certificate of Proficiency being sought and should be such that the specialized equipment is brought into operation for the use of the fuels addressed by the IGF Code.
  3. The onboard training programme must in no way affect the safe running or the seaworthiness of the ship.

STCW Table A-V/3-1 of Chapter V (June 2015 Amendment)

Specification of minimum standard of competence in basic training for ships subject to the IGF Code

STCW Table A-V/3-1 PDF

STCW Table A-V/3-2 of Chapter V (June 2015 Amendment)

Specification of minimum standard of competence of advanced training for ships subject to the IGF Code

STCW Table A-V/3-2 PDF

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STCW Regulation V/3 of Chapter V (STCW June 2015 Amendment)

Mandatory minimum requirements for the training and qualifications of masters, officers, ratings and other personnel on ships subject to the IGF Code

Note: The following new regulation V/3 is added after existing regulation V/2 in June 2015

  1. This regulation applies to masters, officers and ratings and other personnel serving on board ships subject to the IGF Code.
  2. Prior to being assigned shipboard duties on board ships subject to the IGF Code, seafarers shall have completed the training required by paragraphs 4 to 9 below in accordance with their capacity, duties and responsibilities.
  3. All seafarers serving on board ships subject to the IGF Code shall, prior to being assigned shipboard duties, receive appropriate ship and equipment specific familiarization as specified in regulation I/14, paragraph 1.5
  4. Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code shall hold a certificate in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code.
  5. Every candidate for a certificate in basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall have completed basic training in accordance with provisions of Section A-V/3, paragraph 1 of the STCW Code.
  6. Seafarers responsible for designated safety duties associated with the care, use or in emergency response to the fuel on board ships subject to the IGF Code who have been qualified and certified according to regulation V/1-2, paragraphs 2 and 5, or Regulation V/1-2, paragraphs 4 and 5 on liquefied gas tankers, are to be considered as having met the requirements specified in section A-V/3, paragraph 1 for basic training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code.
  7. Masters, engineer officers and all personnel with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels and fuel systems on ships subject to the IGF Code shall hold a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code.
  8. Every candidate for a certificate in advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code shall, while holding the Certificate of Proficiency described in paragraph 4, have:
    1. completed approved advanced training for service on ships subject to the IGF Code and meet the standard of competence as specified in section A-V/3, paragraph 2 of the STCW Code; and
    2. completed at least one month of approved seagoing service that includes a minimum of three bunkering operations on board ships subject to the IGF Code. Two of the three bunkering operations may be replaced by approved Simulator training on bunkering operations as part of the training in paragraph 8.1 above.
  9. Masters, engineer officers and any person with immediate responsibility for the care and use of fuels on ships subject to the IGF Code who have been qualified and certified according to the standards of competence specified in section A–V/1-2, paragraph 2 for service on liquefied gas tankers are to be considered as having met the requirements specified in section A-V/3, paragraph 2 for advanced training for ships subject to the IGF Code, provided they have also:
    1. met the requirements of paragraph 6; and 
    2. met the bunkering requirements of paragraph 8.2 or have participated in conducting three Cargo operations on board the liquefied gas tanker; and
    3. have completed sea going service of three months in the previous five years on board:
      1. ships subject to the IGF Code;
      2. tankers carrying as cargo, fuels covered by the IGF Code;or
      3. ships using gases or low flashpoint fuel as fuel.
  10. Every Party shall compare the standards of competence which it required of persons serving on gas-fuelled ships before 1 January 2017 with the standards of competence in Section A-V/3 of the STCW Code, and shall determine the need, if any, for requiring these personnel to update their qualifications.
  11. Administrations shall ensure that a Certificate of Proficiency is issued to seafarers, who are qualified in accordance with paragraphs 4 or 7, as appropriate.
  12. Seafarers holding Certificates of Proficiency in accordance with paragraph 4 or 7 above shall, at intervals not exceeding five years, undertake appropriate refresher training or be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence within the previous five years.

Disclaimer: For general information purpose only - please check with IMO STCW Convention for the latest requirements and accurate info

LAST UPDATED ON Aug 11, 2021