Month: December 2013

ICS Calls for Understanding from Port State Control on Seafarer Security Training Certification

Debra Massey

The International Chamber of Shipping (ICS) has raised concerns with governments about preparations worldwide for issuing tens of thousands of seafarers with new certificates for security-related training by 1 January, as required by the 2010 amendments to the IMO Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 2010).

In a written submission to IMO, ICS has suggested that IMO Member States might give consideration to the possibility of an extended “grace period” with respect to Port State Control enforcement of the new certification required under STCW 2010.

STCW 2010, Regulation VI/6, stipulates mandatory minimum requirements for security-related instruction for all seafarers, which, where relevant – such as for Ship Security Officers as defined by the ISPS Code – requires certificates of proficiency to be issued by administrations to seafarers from 1 January 2014.

Since the amendments were adopted, ICS has gone to great lengths to advise shipping companies of the transitional measures for these new requirements, as set out in Section A-VI/6 of the STCW Code, which are different to those concerning the transitional measures that apply to other changes introduced by STCW 2010 and which are being phased in between now and 2017.

ICS is concerned that any certification that STCW requires governments to issue might not be fully in place by the 1 January deadline and that ships could potentially encounter difficulties during Port State Control inspections.

ICS Secretary General, Peter Hinchliffe, explained “We understand that the training and familiarisation required by STCW 2010 has only just recently been approved by some maritime administrations, whilst others may not yet even have these arrangements in place. This could present serious difficulties for companies that need to ensure that the seafarers they employ are trained and certificated as required by STCW 2010.”

He added “For the most part this is really just a technicality since most existing seafarers have already undergone necessary levels of training and instruction as required by the ISPS Code. Given that certification is entirely a government responsibility we think that a short delay in PSC enforcement can be justified.”

The ICS submission to IMO, which suggests the possibility of an extended “grace period” with respect to Port State Control enforcement of the new security training certification, has been made to the first session of the new IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW) which supersedes the STW Sub-Committee within the new IMO Committee Structure. The HTW Sub-Committee will meet in the week of 17 February.

Notes to Editors:

Advice to shipping companies about the STCW security training requirements is contained in the ISF Guidelines on the STCW Convention including the 2010 ‘Manila Amendments’ published in 2011 – see attached.

The ISPS Code is the International Ship and Port Facility Security Code, which is mandatory under the SOLAS Convention and was adopted in 2002 in response to the ‘9/11’ terrorist attacks.

Videotel Gains MCA Approval for New Suite of Ship Security Training

Debra Massey

Videotel has been granted MCA approval on a new training suite designed to meet the forthcoming STCW rules on Ship Security Training.

From 1st January 2014, security training will fall into three categories, in that all seafarers must demonstrate an understanding of the security threats to their vessels whatever their role. Prior to this, security related training was a requirement only for the Ship Security Officer.

Explains Nigel Cleave, CEO of Videotel: “The constantly changing nature of shipping means that every person on board a vessel must understand the various threats to the security of that vessel and what action to take when necessary.”
The Videotel Ship Security Officer course, which complies with STCW Reg. VI/5 Sect. A-VI/5, is designed specifically for the Ship Security Officer (SSO), the person on-board responsible for ensuring that the vessel is compliant with the SSP (Ship Security Plan), whereas the Designated Security Duties training course, complying with the requirements of STCW Reg. VI/6 para. 4; Sect. A-VI/6 para. 6, is targeted at those who have a role assigned under the Ship Security Plan but are not the SSO. The Security Awareness training course, complying with the requirements of STCW Reg. VI/6 para. 1; Sect. A-VI/6 para.4 is mandatory for all seafarers who are not designated with security duties or are not the SSO.

Adds Mr Cleave: “The addition of these new courses not only meets legislative requirements but also gives seafarers the confidence and ability to deal with security threats. The course material is designed to inform and educate seafarers using our eLearning Computer Based Training, Videotel on Demand or VOD online platforms with accompanying assessments to ensure compliance with STCW requirements.”

Security Awareness Training calls for a knowledge of maritime security when alongside, at anchor and at sea, whereas the other two courses are more specialised, covering the following risks in more depth:
• The Ship Security Assessment and Ship Security Plan
• Reporting procedures
• Defensive and protective measures including searching people and searching the ship
• Drills and training
• Anti-piracy measures and practices
• Emergency measures

Over the last three months alone Videotel has produced and launched over 15 training programmes and courses, which are provided in upto 29 languages. These range from training programmes on COLREGS & IALA Buoyage to others dealing with a variety of important subjects including specialist requirements for Passenger Mustering and Crowd Control to essential knowledge on Leadership & Management.

London’s Maritime Sector Can Benefit From Liverpool’s Lessons Learned

Elaborate Communications

Shipping Professional Network in London (SPNL) held their last event of the year on Tuesday, 3 December 2013. The event was well attended with guests travelling far and wide to hear views and opinions on the next generation in shipping and the future of maritime London.

Speaking at the new London offices of the UK Chamber of Shipping, Sir Michael Bibby, Managing Director of Bibby Line Group Limited, addressed the question: In today’s high tech global maritime industry does it really matter where you are based?

Focussing on the ‘next generation’, he asked London firms: “Are your aspiring managers seeking experience elsewhere? Are you too expensive if you are based in London?” before advising that tomorrow’s challenge is to “stay relevant and ahead of the competition”.

Bibby Line is the only deep sea shipowner headquartered in Liverpool. Sir Michael outlined the city’s rise from the declining years of the 1960s to today’s vibrant maritime cluster with burgeoning marine professional services. He highlighted that the port of Liverpool now handles record cargo volumes and benefits from new investment in its container and cruise terminals and shipyard.

“London has great strengths particularly through the quality of its people and its central position at the heart of maritime finance, insurance and legislation,” he said, adding the warning to “beware – make sure you know what your customers want and adapt to new technologies while keeping a close eye on increasing international competition.”

Sir Michael was speaking alongside Marcus Bowman, Vice President of the UK Chamber of Shipping and a Partner with international law firm Holman, Fenwick Willan. Thanking both speakers, SPNL Chairman Claudio Chiste from Investec Bank said: “We are pleased that our members and guests have been fortunate to hear views and opinions on the next generation in shipping and the future of maritime London straight from the prominent leaders of the shipping industry and experts in their fields.”

The event raised £400 for the Mission to Seafarers.

New Features for Voyager Planning Station

Debra Massey

In a cutting edge development, users of the Voyager Planning Station, developed by the maritime services group Global Navigation Solutions, can now plot their route directly onto the official ENCs on board their vessel. Visitors to this year’s Marintec China exhibition will have the opportunity to see a demonstration of this unique new feature.

Providing a single all inclusive back of bridge solution, Voyager Planning Station enables the navigator to passage plan using live data. A route can be plotted directly onto Voyager’s enhanced ENC display, rather than on a simple GIS background, and then transferred onto the ECDIS – effectively providing ECDIS functionality to the back of bridge and offering unrivalled time saving and accuracy. The passage planning system also has the advantage of enabling the operator to identify missing ENCs and order updates where necessary.

The world class SPOS Onboard weather solution from Meteo has now been incorporated into Voyager Planning Station giving customers direct and instant access to weather information.

Mike Robinson, CEO of Global Navigation Solutions is looking forward to presenting the Voyager Planning Station at Marintec. “Our team of specialist maritime experts and software engineers working together in our Research and Development Centre in Aberdeen are second to none,” he says.”We recognise that China is a growth market and we are delighted to have the opportunity to demonstrate these time saving new features at this major exhibition. Our Centre of Excellence is creating products which are already transforming the market, ensuring our customers stay at the forefront of developing technology.”

Voyager Planning Station also includes Admiralty Information Overlay display, significantly improving the efficiency of the passage planning process by providing preliminary information that has been incorporated into paper charts but not yet included in ENCs. Other unique features include 100% complete BA Chart Update Service including Annual and Cumulative Notices to Mariners, global list of Navarea Warnings, AVCS and ARCS updates, access to the timesaving Global Navigation Solutions Looseleaf service, free Vessel Management Service to help manage the fleet and the best value data communications costs on the market today.

Voyager Planning Station is available in three packages designed to suit the way a vessel or fleet navigates: BA Paper Update Service specifically designed for vessels navigating with BA charts and publications: BA Paper and Digital Update Service for vessels making the transition to digital navigation and BA Digital Update Service, designed for vessels navigating with ECDIS.

In addition to SPOS Weather Solutions, Voyager Planning Station offers a growing list of added value modules. These include AtoBviaC Port to Port, ICC Piracy Reports, Shipping Guides’ Findaport and Regs4Ships, in addition to AIO updates, ADP updates and BA loose leaf updates.

Notes to editors:
Global Navigation Solutions (GNS) was formed in November 2012 to provide an extensive range of maritime services to shipping companies worldwide. GNS is headed up by Mike Robinson, formerly Chief Executive Officer of the UK Hydrographic Office (UKHO). The Company is owned jointly by its senior management team and Phoenix Equity Partners. GNS brings together the best distributors of maritime navigation solutions from around the world, providing its customers with outstanding money saving products and services, and innovative new solutions. It provides the best existing maritime brands, including British Admiralty, and works with specialist service providers around the world to design and produce intelligent user-friendly solutions which streamline and simplify the art of navigation. With technical expertise available from centres around the world, Global Navigation Solutions offers the knowledge to resolve queries and technical problems fast.

www.globalnavigationsolutions.com

Global Navigation Solutions will be exhibiting at Marintec China from 3-6 December 2013. To find out more about Voyager Planning Station, or to meet the management team please visit Global Navigation Solutions on Stand D43 in Hall N1.