What is STCW 2010?

STCW stands for Standards, Training, Certification and Watchkeeping. It is an internationally recognised code backed by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) and ratified by the vast majority of nations worldwide. The IMO ensures each item has the necessary regulations imposed via national organisations and agencies. In the UK, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency is the regulatory body that ensures compliance with the code.

The original requirements were discussed at a conference in London in 1978 and implemented in 1984. They became the backbone of safety standards within the shipping industry around the world. Every vessel over 24 metres in length must comply with the code and there are also smaller vessels that adhere to it such as fishing vessels and workboats.

In 1995 a second conference was held and significant amendments were agreed. By then the code was widespread across the world with fines and the impounding of vessels ensuring compliance. The date became the adopted name for basic safety training which became widely known as STCW 95.

In 2010 a further conference was held in Manila, Phillipines. Amendments were made that brought in some big changes that included the requirement for updating or refresher training for some certificates, a working hours directive and a requirement for security training for seafarers working on some vessels. These amendments came into force in 2012 and were known as the Manila Amendments.

So STCW 2010 is the latest standard of the code, we still regulalrly hear the term STCW 95 because people are simply familiar with that term.

The certificates that are now issued no longer list STCW 95 but now read "STCW 1978 as amended."

This information is provided by STCW Training UK Ltd, a UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency approved training company. We are based in Devon in the southwest of the UK. We provide the full STCW basic safety training package and refresher training on-site in conjunction with our sister company STCW Fire Training Ltd. Online booking is available or call us for bespoke course packages.

The whole of the STCW basic week training package (Basic Fire Prevention and Fire-fighting, Elementary First Aid, Personal Survival Techniques, Personal Safety & Social Responsibility and Security Awareness).

We also provide training in STCW Advanced Fire-fighting and refresher training

STCW Training UK – This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.