STCW VI/6 - Security Related Training and Instruction for All Seafarers

IMO STCW 2010 Regulations - Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Security-Related Training and Instruction for All Seafarers

STCW Convention regulation VI/6 came into effect on January 1,2014 and this applies to all persons employed or engaged in any capacity on ships, prior to being assigned shipboard duties and, seafarer who is designated to perform Security duties as stated in the Ship Security Plan.

Security-related familiarization training is required from July 1, 2015 and only needs to be given once in the seafarer’s career as there is no requirement for refreshment or revalidation.

Standard of competence for seafarers with designated security duties applies to every seafarer who is designated to perform security duties as stated in the Ship Security Plan and also includes anti-piracy and anti-armed robbery related activities. These seafarers shall be required to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/6-2 of the STCW Code.

On completion of the training the seafarer shall have sufficient knowledge to perform on board Designated Security Duties, including anti-piracy and anti-armed robbery related activities.

Security training for seafarers with designated security duties is required from July 1, 2015 and only needs to be given once in the seafarer’s career as there is no requirement for refreshment or revalidation.

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stcw code vi 6

STCW Code Section A-VI/6 Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Security-Related Training and Instruction for All Seafarers

Standard of Competence for Security-Related Familiarization Training

Before being assigned to shipboard duties, all persons employed or engaged on a seagoing ship which is required to comply with the provisions of the ISPS Code, other than passengers, shall receive approved security-related familiarization training, taking account of the guidance given in part B, to be able to:
1. report a security incident, including a piracy or armed robbery threat or attack;
2. know the procedures to follow when they recognize a security threat; and
3. take part in security-related emergency and contingency procedures.
Seafarers with designated security duties engaged or employed on a seagoing ship shall, before being assigned such duties, receive security-related familiarization training in their assigned duties and responsibilities, taking into account the guidance given in part B.
The security-related familiarization training shall be conducted by the Ship Security Officer or an equally qualified person.

Standard of Competence for Security-Awareness Training

Seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board a ship which is required to comply with the provisions of the ISPS Code on the business of that ship as part of the ship’s complement without designated security duties shall, before being assigned to any shipboard duties:
1. receive appropriate approved training or instruction in security awareness as set out in table A-VI/6-1;
2. be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/6-1:
  1. by demonstration of competence, in accordance with the methods and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of table A-VI/6-1; and
  2. by examination or continuous assessment as part of an approved training programme in the subjects listed in column 2 of table A-VI/6-1.
(Transitional provisions) Until 1 January 2014, seafarers who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to the date of entry into force of this section shall be able to establish that they meet the requirements of paragraph 4 by:
1. approved seagoing service as shipboard personnel, for a period of at least six months in total during the preceding three years; or
2. having performed security functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing service required in paragraph 5.1; or
3. passing an approved test; or
4. successfully completing approved training.

Standard of Competence for Seafarers with Designated Security Duties

Every seafarer who is designated to perform security duties, including anti-piracy and anti-armed-robbery-related activities, shall be required to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/6-2.
The level of knowledge of the subjects in column 2 of table A-VI/6-2 shall be sufficient to enable every candidate to perform on board designated security duties, including anti-piracy and anti-armed-robbery-related activities.
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/6-2, 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/6-2.
(Transitional provisions) Until 1 January 2014, seafarers with designated security duties who commenced an approved seagoing service prior to the date of entry into force of this section shall be able to demonstrate competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of table A-VI/6-2 by:
1. approved seagoing service as shipboard personnel with designated security duties, for a period of at least six months in total during the preceding three years; or
2. having performed security functions considered to be equivalent to the seagoing service required in paragraph 9.1; or
3. passing an approved test; or
4. successfully completing approved training.

STCW Table A-VI/6-1 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specification of minimum standard of competence in security awareness

STCW Table A-VI/6-1 PDF

STCW Table A-VI/6-2 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 2)

Specifications of minimum standard of competence for seafarers with designated security duties

STCW Table A-VI/6-2 PDF

STCW Section B-VI/6-1 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010)

Guidance regarding mandatory minimum requirements for security-related training and instruction for all seafarers

Familiarization and security-awareness

Seafarers and shipboard personnel are not security experts and it is not the aim of the provisions of the Convention or this Code to convert them into security specialists.
Seafarers and shipboard personnel should receive adequate security-related training or instruction and familiarization training so as to acquire the required knowledge and understanding to perform their assigned duties and to collectively contribute to the enhancement of Maritime Security.
Seafarers without designated security duties should complete the Security Awareness Training or instruction set out in section A-VI/6 at least one time in their career. There is no need for refreshment or revalidation of this training if the seafarer or the shipboard personnel concerned meet the security-related familiarization requirements of regulation VI/6 and participate in the drills and exercises required by the ISPS Code.

Seafarers with designated security duties

The expression “with designated security duties” in section A-VI/6 denotes those having specific security duties and responsibilities in accordance with the ship security plan.
Seafarers with designated security duties should complete the training as set out in section A-VI/6 at least one time in their career. There is no need for refreshment or revalidation of this training if the seafarer or the shipboard personnel concerned meet the security-related familiarization requirements of regulation VI/6 and participate in the drills and exercises required by the ISPS Code.
Those providing “security-related familiarization training” in accordance with section A-VI/6 should not be required to meet the requirements of either regulation I/6 or of section A-I/6.
In circumstances of exceptional necessity, when the shipboard security-related duties are required to be undertaken by a person qualified to perform designated security-related duties and such a person is temporarily unavailable, the Administration may permit a seafarer without designated security duties to perform such duties provided such a person has an understanding of the ship security plan, until the next port of call or for a period not exceeding 30 days, whichever is greater.

Must read:

STCW Regulation VI/6 of Chapter VI (STCW 2010 Res 1)

Mandatory Minimum Requirements for Security-Related Training and Instruction for All Seafarers

Seafarers shall receive security-related familiarization and security-awareness training or instruction in accordance with section A-VI/6, paragraphs 1 to 4 of the STCW Code and shall meet the appropriate standard of competence specified therein.
Where security awareness is not included in the qualification for the certificate to be issued, a certificate of proficiency shall be issued indicating that the holder has attended a course in security awareness training.
Every Party shall compare the security-related training or instruction it requires of seafarers who hold or can document qualifications before the entry into force of this regulation with those specified in section A-VI/6, paragraph 4 of the STCW Code, and shall determine the need for requiring these seafarers to update their qualifications.

Seafarers with Designated Security Duties

Seafarers with designated security duties shall meet the standard of competence specified in section A-VI/6, paragraphs 6 to 8 of the STCW Code.
Where training in designated security duties is not included in the qualifications for the certificate to be issued, a certificate of proficiency shall be issued indicating that the holder has attended a course of training for designated security duties.
Every Party shall compare the security training standards required of seafarers with designated security duties who hold or can document qualifications before the entry into force of this regulation with those specified in section A-VI/6, paragraph 8 of the STCW Code, and shall determine the need for requiring these seafarers to update their qualifications.

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

LAST UPDATED ON Jun 6, 2022