General Provisions
Certification administration, recognition, medical standards, quality systems, revalidation and related general provisions.
Seafarer Reference Guide
STCW 2010 Complete Guide for Seafarers — As Amended
A practical guide to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers — covering certification pathways, mandatory safety training, special-ship requirements, revalidation, medical fitness, watchkeeping and current amendments.
Understanding STCW
The international competence framework for professional seafarers.
STCW establishes international minimum standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers. The Convention was originally adopted in 1978 and has been amended several times.
The Manila Amendments were adopted in 2010 and entered into force on 1 January 2012. They introduced major changes including certification for able seafarers, electro-technical officers, modern navigation technology, leadership and teamwork, security training and revised medical and rest requirements.
The STCW Code is divided into Part A, containing mandatory standards, and Part B, containing recommended guidance. Seafarers must also comply with the requirements of the Administration issuing or recognizing their certificates.
CURRENT GUIDE BASIS
STCW
as amended
as amended
“STCW 2010” remains the common reference to the Manila revision, but later amendments also apply.
This guide therefore uses the 2010 Manila framework together with subsequent amendments currently in force. Seafarers should always verify the exact requirement with the issuing or recognizing Administration before training, certification or endorsement processing.
Convention Structure
The eight STCW chapters.
The Convention is organised by general requirements, professional department, specialist shipboard functions, alternative certification and watchkeeping.
Master & Deck Department
Certification and competence requirements for deck officers, masters and deck ratings.
Engine Department
Marine engineering officers, engineer ratings, electro-technical officers and ratings.
Radiocommunication
Certification requirements for radio personnel including GMDSS operators.
Special Ship Types
Additional training for tanker, passenger, IGF Code and polar-water operations.
Safety, Security & Medical
Basic safety, survival craft, firefighting, medical care and shipboard security requirements.
Alternative Certification
Alternative arrangements for certification based on approved functions and competence structures.
Watchkeeping
Fitness for duty, watchkeeping arrangements and principles intended to prevent fatigue.
Certification Pathways
Find the regulation connected to your department and capacity.
Deck Officers & Ratings
- II/1 Officer in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 GT or more.
- II/2 Master and chief mate on ships of 500 GT or more.
- II/3 Officers and masters on ships of less than 500 GT engaged on near-coastal voyages.
- II/4 Ratings forming part of a navigational watch.
- II/5 Able Seafarer Deck.
Marine Engineers & Ratings
- III/1 Officer in charge of an engineering watch.
- III/2 Chief engineer and second engineer on ships powered by main propulsion machinery of 3,000 kW or more.
- III/3 Chief engineer and second engineer within the lower propulsion-power category covered by the Convention.
- III/4 Ratings forming part of an engineering watch.
- III/5 Able Seafarer Engine.
Electrical & Electronic Personnel
- III/6 Electro-Technical Officer (ETO).
- III/7 Electro-Technical Rating (ETR).
GMDSS Radio Operators
- IV/2 Certification of GMDSS radio personnel according to the sea area, station duties and certificate required.
Chapter VI
Safety, survival, medical and security training.
| Training / Competence | STCW Reference | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Survival Techniques | A-VI/1-1 | Survival actions and use of survival equipment following abandonment or emergency. |
| Fire Prevention & Fire Fighting | A-VI/1-2 | Basic shipboard fire prevention and emergency firefighting. |
| Elementary First Aid | A-VI/1-3 | Immediate basic medical response to shipboard injury or illness. |
| Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities | A-VI/1-4 | Safe working practices, shipboard responsibilities, human relationships and current mandatory social-safety competence. |
| Survival Craft & Rescue Boats | VI/2 | Proficiency in survival craft and rescue-boat operations. |
| Fast Rescue Boats | VI/2 | Competence for operation of fast rescue boats where required. |
| Advanced Fire Fighting | VI/3 | Control, organization and leadership of shipboard firefighting operations. |
| Medical First Aid | VI/4 | Medical first-aid competence for designated personnel. |
| Medical Care | VI/4 | Shipboard medical-care competence for personnel assigned responsibility for medical care. |
| Ship Security Officer | VI/5 | Competence required for the designated Ship Security Officer. |
| Security Awareness | VI/6 | Security awareness for seafarers employed or engaged on ships subject to applicable security provisions. |
| Designated Security Duties | VI/6 | Additional security competence for personnel assigned designated security duties. |
Chapter V
Additional training for certain ship types and operations.
Tanker Operations
Basic and advanced training requirements apply according to duties involving oil, chemical and liquefied-gas tanker cargo operations.
Passenger Ships
Personnel may require passenger-safety, crowd-management, crisis-management and other role-specific competence depending on their assigned duties.
Ships Subject to the IGF Code
Basic or advanced training applies to personnel with duties connected to fuels covered by the IGF Code.
Ships Operating in Polar Waters
Masters and deck officers may require basic or advanced polar-water training according to duties and operating conditions.
Certificate Terminology
CoC, CoP and recognition endorsements.
Certificate of Competency
A competency certificate issued under the Convention for specified capacities and functions, such as deck, engineering, electro-technical or radio duties.
Certificate of Proficiency
Documentary certification of competence for particular training or proficiency requirements, including many Chapter V and Chapter VI functions.
Endorsement Attesting Recognition
A flag Administration may recognize an appropriate certificate issued by another STCW Party subject to the Convention and that Administration's recognition procedures.
Staying Valid
Revalidation and continued competence.
Masters, officers and radio operators covered by the Convention are subject to revalidation requirements at intervals not exceeding five years in order to continue qualifying for seagoing service.
Revalidation includes meeting the applicable medical-fitness standards prescribed under STCW Regulation I/9.
The seafarer must establish continued professional competence according to the applicable STCW Code provisions and the procedures of the issuing Administration.
STCW requires evidence of maintained competence at five-year intervals for specified survival and firefighting competencies, including relevant requirements under sections A-VI/1, A-VI/2 and A-VI/3.
Fitness for Duty
Medical fitness and watchkeeping are part of STCW compliance.
Medical Fitness
Seafarers performing duties covered by STCW must meet applicable medical standards. Certification and validity requirements are implemented by the competent Administration in accordance with the Convention and Code.
Fitness for Duty & Rest
Watch systems and rest arrangements must be organized so that watchkeeping personnel and personnel carrying designated safety, security and pollution-prevention duties are properly rested and not impaired by fatigue.
Current Amendment
Important change effective 1 January 2026.
Personal Safety & Social Responsibilities now includes mandatory competence relating to violence and harassment.
Amendments to STCW Code Table A-VI/1-4 entered into force on 1 January 2026. The mandatory competence includes knowledge concerning prevention and response to violence and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault.
Seafarers and training providers should therefore ensure that current basic-training and updating arrangements reflect the amended competence standard where applicable.
Practical Check
Before planning your next STCW certificate or course.
01
Confirm your department and present rank.
02
Check the STCW regulation applicable to the target capacity.
03
Review your existing CoC, CoP and endorsements.
04
Check expiry dates and any five-year competence requirements.
05
Confirm any ship-type-specific training requirement.
06
Verify the issuing / recognizing Administration's current requirements.
Important regulatory note
This page is a practical informational guide and does not replace the official STCW Convention and Code, IMO instruments, national legislation or the requirements of the relevant maritime Administration. Exact eligibility, sea-service, training, examination, medical, documentary and recognition requirements should be confirmed with the competent authority for the certificate or endorsement concerned.
Need Help With Your STCW Pathway?
Start a Request →
Need help identifying your STCW requirement?
Send your rank, present certificates and intended next position. We can help identify the relevant training or certification pathway.