NIMASA STCW MSA key terms

The certified deck officer in charge of a navigational or engine-room watch. Responsible for safe navigation, collision avoidance, and compliance with the COLREGs while on watch, and for handing over the watch properly.

The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972. They set steering, sailing, and lighting rules that all vessels must follow to avoid collision, including conduct in sight of one another and in restricted visibility.

The speed at which a vessel can take proper and effective action to avoid collision and stop within a distance appropriate to the prevailing circumstances, considering visibility, traffic density, and vessel manoeuvrability.

A continuous watch kept by sight and hearing, and by all available means, to detect other vessels, hazards, and changes in the environment. A proper look-out is required at all times under the COLREGs.

The formal transfer of watchkeeping responsibility between officers. The relieving officer must be satisfied with the vessel's position, course, traffic, and standing orders before accepting the watch.

The effective management of all bridge resources, including personnel, equipment, and information, to promote safety and reduce human error. It covers communication, leadership, workload, and challenge-and-response practices.

Any condition in which visibility is reduced by fog, mist, falling snow, heavy rain, or other causes. Vessels must proceed at a safe speed, sound appropriate signals, and be ready to take immediate action.

The continuous understanding of what is happening around the vessel and what is likely to happen next. Loss of situational awareness is a leading contributor to collisions, groundings, and other accidents.

A state of physical or mental weariness that reduces alertness and performance. Under STCW, rest hours are regulated and watchkeepers must not take on duties while unfit through fatigue.

A designated place on board where crew and passengers assemble during an emergency or drill. Its location and access routes must be marked and described in the muster list.

A document posted on board that assigns each crew member specific emergency duties and indicates where they must report. It also names substitutes for key roles in case of absence.

The order to leave a vessel that is no longer safe. Crew and passengers proceed to survival craft, usually under the master's decision, after mustering and accounting for all persons on board.

Scheduled practices that rehearse emergency procedures such as fire, abandon-ship, and man-overboard. Drills must be held at intervals required by SOLAS and recorded in the official logbook.

A generic term for lifeboats, liferafts, and rescue boats used to evacuate a vessel. They must carry specified equipment, be maintained in working order, and be launched by trained crew.

A protective suit that reduces body heat loss in cold water and improves survival time. It is a required item of life-saving equipment and must be stowed and maintained as specified.

A dangerous drop in core body temperature, often caused by cold-water immersion. It impairs movement and judgement and can be fatal, so survivors should minimise heat loss and be warmed carefully.

A person or duty assigned to monitor a specific area for fire risk, especially during hot work or after repairs. The fire watch must be trained and able to raise the alarm and use fire-fighting equipment.

A written authorisation required before welding, cutting, or other spark- or flame-producing work. It confirms that the area is safe, precautions are in place, and a fire watch is assigned.

The duty of monitoring and operating propulsion, auxiliary machinery, and systems. The watchkeeper must maintain safe parameters, respond to alarms, and record readings and events.

A class notation that permits machinery to operate without a permanent engine-room watch, relying on automatic controls and alarms. The vessel must meet strict requirements for monitoring and remote alarms.

A safety device, typically in the engine room, that requires periodic acknowledgement by the watchkeeper. If not acknowledged within a set time, it raises an alarm to alert others.

Equipment that warns of abnormal conditions such as high temperature, low pressure, or fire. Alarms must be audible and visible and must be acknowledged and investigated by the responsible watchkeeper.

The transfer of fuel oil from a shore facility or bunker tanker to a vessel. It requires a pre-transfer checklist, agreed communication, and pollution precautions to prevent spills.

Entry into a space with restricted access and potentially dangerous atmosphere, such as a tank or hold. It requires risk assessment, atmosphere testing, a permit, and a standby person outside.

The International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea. It sets minimum safety standards for construction, life-saving equipment, fire protection, navigation, and other shipboard systems.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers. It sets minimum training, certification, and watchkeeping standards for seafarers worldwide.

The International Safety Management Code. It requires shipping companies and vessels to establish a safety management system with documented procedures, objectives, and internal audits.

The structured set of procedures, policies, and records required by the ISM Code. It covers safe operation, pollution prevention, emergency preparedness, and continuous improvement.

Inspection of foreign vessels in port by the coastal state to verify compliance with international conventions. Deficiencies may lead to detention until they are corrected.

The country whose flag a vessel flies. It has primary responsibility for enforcing international conventions on that vessel, including certification, inspection, and crew training standards.

A formal document issued by a flag state confirming that a seafarer meets the required standards for a rank or function. It is subject to validity, revalidation, and medical fitness requirements.

The minimum periods of rest required for seafarers under STCW and MLC. Records must be kept, and watch schedules must ensure sufficient rest to prevent fatigue.

The vertical distance from the waterline to the deck line, measured at the side of the vessel. It affects reserve buoyancy, stability, and the vessel's load-line limits.

A mark on the side of a vessel showing the maximum permitted draught under different conditions. It is assigned under the Load Line Convention to preserve reserve buoyancy and safety.

The distance between the centre of gravity and the metacentre. It is a measure of initial transverse stability; a small positive GM gives a stiff or tender vessel depending on its value.

The watertight volume above the waterline that can be flooded before the vessel sinks. It is protected by freeboard and subdivision and is essential to survivability after damage.

The ability of a vessel to return to an upright position after being heeled by external forces. It depends on the relationship between centre of gravity, centre of buoyancy, and metacentre.

A document approved for the vessel describing how cargo is to be stowed and secured. It specifies lashings, stacking limits, and arrangements for the types of cargo carried.

The International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships. It regulates discharges of oil, noxious liquids, sewage, garbage, and air emissions through six technical annexes.

A mandatory record of oil transfers, discharges, and machinery-space operations. Entries must be made promptly and accurately and are subject to inspection by authorities.

The Shipboard Oil Pollution Emergency Plan, required under MARPOL Annex I. It sets out procedures, contacts, and equipment for responding to an oil spill from the vessel.

A required plan describing how the vessel handles, stores, and discharges garbage under MARPOL Annex V. It includes procedures, equipment, and record-keeping requirements.

The International Ship and Port Facility Security Code. It establishes security measures for ships and port facilities, including security plans, designated officers, and threat levels.

The person on board responsible for implementing and maintaining the ship security plan. The SSO liaises with the company security officer and port facility security officers.

The confidential document setting out measures to protect the vessel from security incidents. It covers access control, restricted areas, drills, and response to security threats.

A three-tier classification under the ISPS Code indicating the degree of risk. Level 1 is normal, Level 2 is heightened, and Level 3 is exceptional, each requiring additional protective measures.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System. It uses satellite and terrestrial communications to ensure that distress alerts and safety information reach vessels and rescue authorities worldwide.

A digital radio system used on VHF, MF, and HF for distress alerts and routine calls. It transmits a formatted message with the vessel's identity and the nature of the call.

An Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon that transmits a distress signal to satellites when activated. It provides the vessel's identity and position to rescue coordination centres.

A Search and Rescue Transponder that responds to radar signals, helping rescuers locate a survival craft. It shows as a series of dots on the searching vessel's radar display.

A maritime broadcast system that delivers navigational warnings, weather forecasts, and urgent safety information to vessels. Messages are received automatically on dedicated frequencies.

A signal sent to indicate that a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. It has priority over all other communications.

Immediate care given to an injured or ill person before professional help is available. On board it aims to preserve life, prevent worsening, and promote recovery using the ship's medical supplies.

The approved supply of medicines and equipment carried on board for treating illness and injury. It is maintained under the master's authority and inspected at required intervals.

The techniques and equipment used to stay alive after abandoning ship or falling overboard. It includes using survival craft, conserving body heat, rationing supplies, and signalling for rescue.