STCW: The Convention & Its Eight Chapters
Learn the STCW Convention: full meaning and all eight chapters — General provisions, Deck, Engine, Radio, Special training, Emergency/medical/survival, Alternative certificate and Watchkeeping.
1. What STCW Stands For
STCW = International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Sea Farers.
Read across the acronym: S and T set the standards for training (a minimum global standard), C covers certification (a Certificate of Competency recognised worldwide), and W covers watchkeeping (safe watches at sea).
- It is the international convention that sets the minimum training, certification and watchkeeping standards for seafarers.
- It is what makes a Certificate of Competency (CoC) internationally recognised.
- STCW is a Convention, not a Code — it is one of the conventions listed alongside SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage and BWM.
2. The Eight STCW Chapters
| Chapter | Subject |
|---|---|
| Chapter 1 | General provisions |
| Chapter 2 | Master and Deck department |
| Chapter 3 | Engine department |
| Chapter 4 | Radio communication and Radio personnel |
| Chapter 5 | Special training required for personnel on certain types of ship |
| Chapter 6 | Emergency, occupational safety, medical care and survival functions |
| Chapter 7 | Alternative certificate |
| Chapter 8 | Watchkeeping |
3. Surveyor Asks
Typical question: "Name the STCW chapters." Open with the full name of the convention, then list the eight chapters in order. Grouping helps: people (Ch 2 deck, Ch 3 engine, Ch 4 radio), general (Ch 1, Ch 7), and safety/operation (Ch 5 special ships, Ch 6 emergency & medical, Ch 8 watchkeeping).
STCW is one of the Conventions alongside SOLAS, MARPOL, Load Line, Tonnage and BWM. See the topic Maritime Codes & Conventions for the full list.
Standards & sources referenced
- SOLAS: International standards for the safety of life at sea.
- MARPOL: International rules to prevent pollution from ships.
- STCW: International standards for seafarer training, certification and watchkeeping.
- Conventions index
Practise this in the question bank
- Human Element - MLC & STCW — 20 questions
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