STCW Basic Safety Training key terms

An international treaty adopted by the IMO that sets minimum standards for the training, certification and watchkeeping of seafarers, and which binds the governments that ratify it.

A document issued by a flag State to a seafarer who meets the required standards of competence, authorising that person to serve in a stated capacity on board ship.

A document showing that a seafarer has met a specific training or competency requirement, such as basic safety training, without by itself authorising service in a particular rank or capacity.

The government of the country whose nationality a ship carries. It is responsible for enforcing international conventions, including STCW, on board that ship.

Inspection by officials of a port's government of foreign ships visiting that port, checking compliance with international conventions covering training and certification, safety and pollution prevention.

A certificate issued by the flag State stating the minimum number and grades of seafarers that must be carried on a particular ship for its safe operation.

Sea time served on board a ship in a capacity relevant to the certificate being sought, completed in accordance with the flag State's requirements and properly recorded so it can be verified.

The seafarer in overall command of a ship, responsible for its safe navigation, for everyone on board, for the cargo and for the marine environment, and holding final authority on board.

The deck officer next in rank below the master, responsible for deck department organisation, cargo operations and watchkeeping, and who assumes command if the master becomes incapacitated.

The deck officer in charge of a navigational watch on the bridge, responsible for safe navigation, collision avoidance, and for informing the master whenever the situation requires it.

The senior engineering officer on board, responsible for the ship's machinery, propulsion and electrical systems, their maintenance, and the management of the engine department.

The engineering officer next below the chief engineer, responsible for the day-to-day operation and maintenance of machinery and for supervising the engine department watchkeepers.

A machinery arrangement in which the engine room is not continuously staffed and is instead monitored by alarms and remote indication systems from the bridge or the duty engineer's cabin.

The Global Maritime Distress and Safety System: a globally agreed set of radio communication procedures and equipment used for distress, urgency, safety and routine communications at sea.

The certificate of proficiency required of radio operators on GMDSS-equipped ships operating in all sea areas, covering distress, urgency and safety communication procedures.

An automated radio calling system used on VHF, MF and HF that sends pre-formatted digital messages, including distress alerts, carrying the ship's identity to other stations.

A signal sent by radio, typically through DSC or satellite equipment, indicating that a ship or person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon: a float-free transmitter that, once activated in a distress situation, alerts rescue authorities by satellite and provides the vessel's position.

Search and Rescue Transponder: a portable radar device carried in survival craft that, when triggered by a searching ship's radar, appears as a line of dots on that radar screen.

Mandatory training for seafarers serving on passenger ships, covering crowd management, passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity, and crisis management appropriate to their duties.

Basic training required for seafarers serving on oil, chemical or liquefied gas tankers, covering the hazards, safety precautions and emergency procedures specific to that type of cargo.

Training for crew designated to assist passengers in an emergency on a passenger ship, covering control of crowds, evacuation procedures and clear communication with passengers.

Training for masters, officers and senior crew of passenger ships in managing emergencies, organising response teams and controlling passenger behaviour during a crisis.

Basic safety training covering what to do when a ship is abandoned, including donning a lifejacket, entering the water, boarding or righting survival craft, and using survival equipment.

Basic training in the causes of shipboard fire, fire prevention measures, fire-fighting equipment, breathing apparatus, and practical techniques for extinguishing fires and rescuing casualties.

Basic training that enables a seafarer to take immediate simple action after an injury or sudden illness on board, including resuscitation, control of bleeding and safe handling of a casualty.

Basic training covering safe working practices, accident prevention, emergency procedures, pollution prevention, effective communication and good working relationships on board ship.

Training beyond basic survival, required of seafarers who operate or command survival craft and rescue boats, covering launching, handling, recovery and care of the people on board.

A document listing the stations and duties assigned to each person on board for emergencies such as fire, abandon ship or man overboard, displayed in crew and passenger areas.

The emergency decision, normally taken by the master, to leave the vessel and transfer everyone on board to survival craft because remaining on board has become more dangerous.

A protective suit that slows heat loss for a person in cold water, designed to be donned quickly, to allow the wearer to float, and often to be worn inside a survival craft.

Training that helps seafarers recognise and report security threats and understand security levels and procedures applying to their ship under the international ship security framework.

Provisions allowing a flag State to certify seafarers through training arrangements other than the standard route, such as simulation or distance learning, provided the same standards of competence are achieved and verified.

The practice of keeping continuous competent supervision of navigation, machinery or radio communications by designated crew members working in set periods known as watches.

The effective use of all resources available on the bridge, including people, equipment and information, to support safe navigation, teamwork and the challenging of errors.

A crew member whose sole task is to keep continuous visual and auditory watch for dangers, other vessels and objects, and to report them promptly to the officer of the watch.

A physical and mental state of reduced ability to perform safely, caused by lack of sleep, long working hours or stress, and managed on board through minimum rest hour rules.