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STCW - Glossary

This provides a glossary of selected terms which have a special meaning in the 1995 amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) and the implementing regulations. The discussion of each term is intended to (a) define the term, (b) clarify how and where the term is used, and (c) explain how the term should be understood in relation to other similar terms.

The STCW Convention was revised in July 1995 to establish standards of competence for merchant mariners. The Coast Guard published implementing regulations in June 1997. The regulations include a number of words and phrases which are derived directly from the language used in the STCW Convention; however, certain terms are defined in a special sense for application in the U.S. system of licensing and documentation. Some of these terms are further explained in a series of Navigation and Vessel Inspection Circulars (NVIC) which the Coast Guard issued to support the implementing regulations.

The following terms are used in a manner which can cause confusion unless both the meaning and the context are understood: "assessor," "assessment," "Coast Guard-accepted," "Coast Guard-approved," "competence," "designated examiner," "familiarization training," "practical examination," "proficiency," and "qualified instructor."

The selected terms are discussed in alphabetical order, but the discussion refers to other terms which are related in purpose or meaning.

• Assessor: This term is used in the STCW Convention and Code to mean anyone who conducts an assessment or evaluation of an individual’s performance in an area of knowledge, understanding and proficiency required to meet an STCW standard of competence. The term used for assessor in the U.S. implementing regulations is "designated examiner"; however, the use of the term assessor is retained in some discussions of STCW requirements including NVIC 4-97 on company roles and responsibilities. Related terms include assessment, competence, designated examiner, and proficiency.
• Assessment: This term is used in the STCW Convention and Code to mean the process of evaluating whether an individual’s performance meets minimum requirements based on the "criteria for evaluating competence" as set out in the STCW tables of competence. This process includes both an examination and an evaluation of evidence obtained from approved training, approved in-service experience, approved simulator training, etc. The terminology used for this process in the U.S. implementing regulations includes "examination" for knowledge, and an "assessment" based on a "practical demonstration" as witnessed by a "designated examiner." Closely related terms include assessor, competence, designated examiner, and proficiency.
• Coast Guard-accepted: This term is used in the U.S. implementing regulations to indicate the Coast Guard has "officially acknowledged in writing that the material or process at issue meets the applicable requirements; that the Coast Guard has issued an official policy statement listing or describing the material or process as meeting the applicable requirements; or that an entity acting on behalf of the Coast Guard under a Memorandum of Agreement has determined that the material or process meets the applicable requirements" (see 46 CFR 10.103). Coast Guard-accepted training programs which have a written syllabus that conforms to a Coast Guard-accepted outline can be monitored by a Coast Guard-accepted quality standards system (QSS). Procedures for becoming a Coast Guard-accepted QSS can be found in NVIC 7-97. A closely related term is Coast Guard-approved.
• Coast Guard approved: The term approved is defined in STCW regulation I/1, and is broadly used in the STCW Convention and Code to indicate that training, sea service, training record books, etc. must be approved in accordance with the relevant STCW regulations including regulation I/8 which requires all training and assessment activities to be monitored by a quality standards system. The term is used specifically in the U.S. implementing regulations to indicate that the Coast Guard must directly approve certain courses. A closely related term is Coast Guard-accepted.
• Competence: The term "standard of competence" is defined in section A-I/1 of the STCW Code to mean "the level of proficiency to be achieved for the proper performance of functions on board ship in accordance with the internationally agreed criteria as set forth herein and incorporating prescribed standards or levels of knowledge, understanding and demonstrated skill." Competence is understood to be the total package of skills and abilities required to meet a standard of competence for a given function and level of responsibility, based on performance(s) witnessed by a designated examiner, and/or on an assessment of evidence establishing that an individual has acquired a minimum depth and scope of knowledge, and has demonstrated a minimum level of proficiency in all required subject areas. Closely related terms include assessment and proficiency.
• Designated examiner: This term is defined in the U.S. implementing regulations as the person who has been trained or instructed in techniques of training or assessment and is otherwise qualified to evaluate whether a candidate for a license, document or endorsement has achieved the required standard of competence. In practice, the designated examiner will be evaluating whether the candidate’s performance meets an acceptable level of proficiency to earn credit toward the license, document or endorsement. A person may be designated or identified either by the Coast Guard by a letter of recognition, by the Coast Guard in the context of a Coast Guard-approved training program, or by a Coast Guard-accepted program of training or assessment (in other words, a training program monitored by Coast Guard-accepted QSS). Further details on the qualifications of designated examiners, as well as the procedures for receiving a Coast Guard letter of recognition as a designated examiner can be found in NVIC 6-97. Closely related terms include: assessor, assessment, competence, practical examination, proficiency and qualified instructor.
• Familiarization training: Both the STCW Convention and the U.S. implementing regulations use the term familiarization training or similar terminology five different ways:
  • Companies are required to ensure that seafarers who are newly assigned to a ship are familiarized with their specific duties and with all ship arrangements, installations, equipment, procedures and ship characteristics that are relevant to their routine or emergency duties. Written instructions are to be issued by the company to each ship to ensure this ship-specific familiarization takes place.
  • All persons who are employed or engaged on a seagoing ship other than passengers are required to received approved familiarization training in personal survival techniques or receive sufficient information and instruction to be able to take care of themselves and take proper action when an emergency condition develops. This includes locating and donning a lifejacket, knowing what to do if a person falls overboard, and closing watertight doors.
  • Officers and ratings (i.e., unlicensed individuals) who are assigned specific duties and responsibilities related to cargo or cargo equipment on tankers must complete an approved tanker familiarization course if they have not had a minimum period of seagoing service on tankers. This category of is identified as a "tankerman assistant" in 46 CFR Part 13.
  • Masters, officers and other personnel who are assigned specific duties and responsibilities on board ro-ro passenger ships must complete familiarization training which covers subjects such as operational limitations of ro-ro ships, procedures for opening and closing hull openings, stability, and emergency procedures.
  • Masters, officers and other personnel who are assigned specific duties and responsibilities on board passenger ships other than ro-ro passenger ships must complete familiarization training which covers operational limitations of passenger ships.
• Practical examination: This term is defined in the U.S. implementing regulations as the performance of an activity under the direct observation of a designated examiner for the purpose of establishing that the performer is sufficiently proficient in a practical skill to meet a specified standard of competence or other objective criterion. Closely related terms include: assessor, assessment, competence, practical examination, proficiency, and qualified instructor.
• Proficiency: This term proficiency is derived from the heading of column 2 in the STCW standards of competence (i.e., tables), where specific subjects are set out to correspond with each element of competence in column 1. These subjects are broadly described as areas of "knowledge, understanding and proficiency." To attain an acceptable level of proficiency, a candidate must demonstrate not only an ability to perform a given task properly, but the broader ability to apply a breadth and depth of knowledge to a given set of circumstances which may influence when and how the task is to be performed. Proficiency should be understood in this context as the ability to perform promptly, correctly and with confidence. In other words, performance should not require a prolonged period of preparation or frequent interruptions to recollect the appropriate response or procedure. On the other hand, proficiency as a result of recent training may involve somewhat less efficiency than expertise acquired from experience. Proficiency should be assessed or evaluated on the basis of pre-determined performance standards and performance measures. Closely related terms include assessment, competence, and designated examiner.
• Qualified instructor: This term is defined in the U.S. implementing regulations (reference (a)) as the person who has been trained or instructed in instructional techniques and is otherwise qualified to provide required training to candidates for licenses, documents or endorsements. A person may be identified as a qualified instructor either by the Coast Guard in the context of a Coast Guard-approved training program, or by a Coast Guard-accepted program of training or assessment (in other words, a training program monitored by Coast Guard-accepted QSS). Further details on the qualifications of qualified instructors can be found in NVIC 6-97. Closely related terms include: assessor, assessment, competence, designated examiner, and proficiency.

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