“Mandate Minimum Shipboard Training berths” STCW proposed amendments and reforms in present approach – By Capt MM Saggi

1.                  Mandate minimum shipboard training berths in STCW convention. Owners can be incentivized to provide the same by deducting a multiple of trainee accommodation volume from the Gross Tonnage of the vessel: Shipboard training is a necessity to make the seafarers job-ready. It is also a STCW convention requirement. However, the availability of such slots is a big challenge. The way forward is to mandate shipboard training slots under the convention. This would also improve the supply of quality manpower to industry thus improving safety and environmental protection.  With an adequate supply of trained and qualified seafarers, their wages and in turn cost of operating the ships can also be controlled better. It would also stop the poaching of trained manpower and create a more level playing field. A multiple of trainees’ accommodation volume can be deducted from the Gross tonnage of the vessel through suitable amendment in tonnage convention, thus reducing the Gross Tonnage of the vessel and consequently port and canal dues of the ship in perpetuity. This would incentivize ship owners to provide more shipboard training slots, which are otherwise seen as an added capital and recurring cost in ship operations.

2.                  Place officer trainees as ratings to overcome shipboard training slot challenge: If there are insufficient shipboard training slots, after three to four months of exposure as officer trainees, deck cadets, and engine trainees can be placed on ships instead of ratings, with tacit understanding with ratings unions. Conversion of such ratings to officers is possible if they are trained like officer cadets under a structured shipboard training program. 

3.                  Longer shipboard training for marine engineers: 6 months of shipboard training for engine trainees is too short. This needs to be augmented to a minimum of 12 months.

"To read full article, please click the news extension"