STCW

Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers

On February 1, 2002, the United States adopted what is known as STCW95. This is an international system of minimum standards set forth by the IMO (International Maritime Organization) regarding the training of shipboard personel. Without this training, the mariner is restricted to domestic waters only.

Basic safety training, which must be completed every five years, includes:

• Fire Prevention and Fire Fighting
• Personal Survival Techniques
• Personal Safety and Social Responsibility
• Elementrary First Aid and CPR
• Proficency in the use of survival craft (Lifeboatman)
  Survival craft training is required of Masters and Engineers only.

In addition to the above, Masters are required to have completed the following:

• Advanced Firefighting
• Bridge Resource Management
• ARPA if serving on an ARPA Equipped vessel
• GMDSS along with the FCC MROP license if employed on a vessel with GMDSS

Both Karen and Bill are STCW95 compliant. Below is an image map of photos taken during training. Click a thumbnail (surrounded by a blue frame) to expand it, and then click the expanded picture to close it.