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STCW VI/2 - Proficiency in Survival Craft, Rescue Boats and Fast Rescue Boats

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Issue of Certificates of Proficiency in Survival Craft, Rescue Boats and Fast Rescue Boats

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Proficiency in fast rescue boats endorsement has completed approved training in fast rescue boats that meets the standard of competence set out in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 7 to 10 of the STCW Code. The responsibilities and tasks include - control crowd in emergency situation on board; locate essential safety and emergency equipment on board; communicate effectively with passengers during emergency; demonstrate the use of personal life saving appliances; and comply with ship’s safety and emergency procedures

Proficiency in Survival Craft and Rescue Boats other than fast rescue boats endorsement has completed approved training in survival craft and rescue boats, other than fast rescue boats, that meets the standard of competence set out in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Code.

The responsibilities and tasks include - take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launch; operate a survival craft engine; manage survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship; use locating devices, including communication and signaling; apparatus and pyrotechnics; and apply first aid to survivors

Seafarers qualified shall be required, every 5 years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standard of competence to undertake the tasks, duties, and responsibilities. ​Qualifications must be refreshed every 5 years for the required areas and functions.

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STCW Code Section A-VI/2 Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Issue of Certificates of Proficiency in Survival Craft, Rescue Boats and Fast Rescue Boats
PROFICIENCY IN SURVIVAL CRAFT AND RESCUE BOATS OTHER THAN FAST RESCUE BOATS
Standard of Competence
  1. Every candidate for a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats shall be required to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-1.
  2. The level of knowledge of the subjects listed in column 2 of table A-VI/2-1 shall be sufficient to enable the candidate to launch and take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat in emergency situations*.
  3. Training and experience to achieve the necessary level of theoretical knowledge, understanding and proficiency shall take account of the guidance given in part B of this Code.
  4. Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence through:
    1. demonstration of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-1, in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of that table; and
    2. examination or continuous assessment as part of an approved training programme covering the material set out in column 2 of table A-VI/2-1.
  5. Seafarers qualified in accordance with paragraph 4 in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats shall be required, every five years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-1.
  6. Parties may accept onboard training and experience for maintaining the required standard of competence of table A-VI/2-1 in the following areas:
    1. take charge of a survival craft or rescue boat during and after launch:
      1. interpret the markings on survival craft as to the number of persons they are intended to carry;
      2. give correct commands for launching and boarding survival craft, clearing the ship and handling and disembarking persons from survival craft;
      3. prepare and safely launch survival craft and clear the ship’s side quickly; and .
      4. safely recover survival craft and rescue boats;
    2. manage survivors and survival craft after abandoning ship:
      1. row and steer a boat and steer by compass;
      2. use individual items of equipment of survival crafts, except for pyrotechnics; and
      3. rig devices to aid location;
    3. use locating devices, including communication and signalling apparatus:
      1. use of portable radio equipment for survival craft; and
    4. apply first aid to survivors.

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PROFICIENCY IN FAST RESCUE BOATS
Standard of Competence
  1. Every candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats shall be required to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-2.
  2. The level of knowledge of the subjects listed in column 2 of table A-VI/2-2 shall be sufficient to enable the candidate to launch and take charge of a fast rescue boat in emergency situations*.
  3. Training and experience to achieve the necessary level of theoretical knowledge, understanding and proficiency shall take account of the guidance given in part B of this Code.
  4. Every candidate for certification shall be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence through:
    1. demonstration of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-2, in accordance with the methods for demonstrating competence and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of that table; and
    2. examination or continuous assessment as part of an approved training programme covering the material set out in column 2 of table A-VI/2-2.
  5. Seafarers qualified in accordance with paragraph 10 in fast rescue boats shall be required, every five years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standards of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/2-2.
  6. Parties may accept onboard training and experience for maintaining the required standard of competence of table A-VI/2-2, in the following areas:
    1. Take charge of a fast rescue boat during and after launch:
      1. control safe launching and recovery of a fast rescue boat;
      2. handle a fast rescue boat in prevailing weather and sea conditions;
      3. use communications and signalling equipment between the fast rescue boat and a helicopter and a ship;
      4. use the emergency equipment carried; and
      5. carry out search patterns, taking account of environmental factors.

*The relevant IMO Model Course(s) may be of assistance in the preparation of courses. 

STCW Table A-VI/2-1 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of the minimum standard of competence in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats

STCW Table A-VI/2-1 PDF

STCW Table A-VI/2-2 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of the minimum standard of competence in fast rescue boats

STCW Table A-VI/2-2 PDF

STCW Section B-VI/2 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010)

Guidance regarding certification for proficiency in survival craft, rescue boats and fast rescue boats
  1. Before training is commenced, the requirement of medical fitness, particularly regarding eyesight and hearing, should be met by the candidate.
  2. The training should be relevant to the provisions of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), as amended.
  3. Parties may also accept onboard training and experience (such as participation in drills) for maintaining the required standard of competence of table A-VI/2-1, in the areas outlined in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 6.1.2, 6.1.3, 6.1.4, 6.2.1, and 12.1.5. Administrations should bear in mind that onboard training in these areas can only be carried out under good weather conditions and port regulations permitting.

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STCW Regulation VI/2 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 1)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for the Issue of Certificates of Proficiency in Survival Craft, Rescue Boats and Fast Rescue Boats
  1. Every candidate for a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats shall:
    1. be not less than 18 years of age;
    2. have approved seagoing service of not less than 12 months or have attended an approved training course and have approved seagoing service of not less than six months; and
    3. meet the standard of competence for certificates of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats, set out in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Code.
  2. Every candidate for a certificate of proficiency in fast rescue boats shall:
    1. be the holder of a certificate of proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats;
    2. have attended an approved training course; and
    3. meet the standard of competence for certificates of proficiency in fast rescue boats, set out in section A-VI/2, paragraphs 7 to 10 of the STCW Code.

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