Welcome!Nov 05, 2019 | By Karibų piratas

It’s easy to get started training on our website. Knowing some of the basics will help you to get an idea about training requirements and programs.


STCW convention

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978 sets minimum qualification standards for masters, officers and watch personnel on seagoing merchant ships and large yachts. STCW was adopted in 1978 by conference at the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in London, and entered into force in 1984. The Convention was significantly amended in 1995. The 1978 STCW Convention was the first to establish minimum basic requirements on training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers on an international level. Previously the minimum standards of training, certification and watchkeeping of officers and ratings were established by individual governments, usually without reference to practices in other countries. As a result, minimum standards and procedures varied widely, even though shipping is extremely international by nature. The Convention prescribes minimum standards relating to training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers which countries are obliged to meet or exceed. The Convention did not deal with manning levels: IMO provisions in this area are covered by regulation 14 of Chapter V of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, whose requirements are backed up by resolution A.890(21) Principles of safe manning, adopted by the IMO Assembly in 1999, which replaced an earlier resolution A.481(XII) adopted in 1981. One especially important feature of the Convention is that it applies to ships of non-party States when visiting ports of States which are Parties to the Convention. Article X requires Parties to apply the control measures to ships of all flags to the extent necessary to ensure that no more favourable treatment is given to ships entitled to fly the flag of a State which is not a Party than is given to ships entitled to fly the flag of a State that is a Party. The difficulties which could arise for ships of States which are not Parties to the Convention is one reason why the Convention has received such wide acceptance. By 2018, the STCW Convention had 164 Parties, representing 99.2 per cent of world shipping tonnage.On 7 July 1995, the IMO adopted a comprehensive revision of STCW. It also included a proposal to develop a new STCW Code, which would contain the technical details associated with provisions of the Convention. The amendments entered force on 1 February 1997. Full implementation was required by 1 February 2002. Mariners already holding certification had the option to renew the certificates in accordance with the old rules of the 1978 Convention during the period ending on 1 February 2002. Mariners entering training programs after 1 August 1998 are required to meet the competency standards of the new 1995 Amendments.   The most significant amendments concerned:

STCW 2011

enhancement of port state control;

communication of information to IMO to allow for mutual oversight and consistency in application of standards,

quality standards systems (QSS), oversight of training, assessment, and certification procedures,

The IMO Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping of Seafarers adopted a new set of amendments in Manila in 2010 called “The Manila Amendments”. These amendments were necessary to keep training standards in line with new technological and operational requirements that require new shipboard competencies. The Manila Amendments were effective as of 1 January 2012. There is a transition period until 2017 when all seafarers must be certified and trained according to the new standards. Implementation is progressive, every year a modified set of requirements comes into force. The most significant amendments are:

  • New rest hours for seafarers
  • New grades of certificates of competency for able seafarers in both deck and engine
  • New and updated training, refreshing requirements
  • Mandatory security training
  • Additional medical standards
  • Specific Alcohol limits in blood or breath.

SETS 6000

SETS 6000 is produced in jointly by Videotel Marine International and Spectral Technologies. SETS 6000 is used by a wide range of International shipping companies and is recognized as an excellent tool to assess the competence of seafarers on all levels.

SETS 6000 is a powerful computer based testing package designed to assist that standards of training and competence are maintained at an STCW defined level.

Testing and evaluation of knowledge is now an important aspect of recruitment, promotion and periodic assessment of seafarers. Assessment and records of assessments are likewise an important element of any quality management regime or safety management system.

Some maritime safety administrations (for example, Latvia) are using questions and answers from SETS 6000 for seafarer’s testing too. You can find the brochure here.

Content:

  • Control Trim, Stability and Stress
  • Pollution Prevention Requirements
  • Maintain Seaworthiness – Stability
  • Maintain Seaworthiness – Ship Construction
  • MARPOL
  • MARPOL Annex 1
  • OPA 90
  • ISM code
  • Monitor Compliance With Legislative Requirements
  • Ice Breaker Operations
  • Manoeuvre and Handle a Ship
  • Plan and conduct a passage – Celestial Navigation
  • Shipmasters’ Business
  • Plan and Conduct a Passage – Terrestrial and Coastal Navigation
  • Plan and Conduct a Passage – Electronic Systems, Echo Sounders and Speed Measurement
  • Plan and Conduct a Passage – Compasses: Magnetic and Gyro and Steering Control Systems
  • Respond to Emergencies
  • Visual Signalling
  • Ship Manoeuvring and Handling
  • Cargo Work
  • Keeping a Navigation Watch, including Routeing
  • Plan and Conduct a Passage – Meteorology
  • Maintain a Safe Navigation Watch – Rule of the Road and Buoyage
  • Radar Navigation – Operational level
  • and so on…

SETS plus

Testing and evaluation of knowledge is an important aspect of recruitment, promotion and periodic assessment of seafarers. Assessment and records of assessments are likewise an important element of any quality management regime or safety management system. SETS Plus is a powerful computer based testing package designed to assist that standards of training and competence are maintained at an STCW defined level. SETS Plus is used by a wide range of International shipping companies and is recognized as an excellent tool to assess the competence of seafarers on all levels. SETS Plus is produced in jointly by Videotel Marine International and Spectral Technologies.

SETS Plus has a large question database with more than 6,000 multiple-choice questions available. The questions are classified into the STCW defined levels of Management, Operation and Support and that are also divided into subject areas that covers each an important maritime competence. The question database has been produced under the supervision of Videotel Marine International (United Kingdom) and new subject areas are continuously added.

The administrator of a SETS Plus program can set up unlimited number of tests with any combination of questions subjects and from any of the three STCW competence levels. Time limits and number of questions in test is also set by the administrator. When a test is given, the questions from each included subject are automatically and randomly selected.

SETS Plus can be added with a Question designer that makes it possible for the user to design his own questions. The question designer allows the design of “multiple choice questions”, “fill in missing word” questions and “essay type questions”. The user can also add pictures, animations and sound to a question. The user can generate his own test subjects and tests and assign them to the levels of “management”, “operational” or “support”. The program automatically corrects the first two types whereas a Trainer manually scores the latter.

The program includes a facility to view results on screen and four types of result reports, a summary report presenting multiple numbers of test results in one datasheet and a test certificate. All reports in SETS Plus can be directly converted to RTF files and transferred as e-mail attachments via the Internet. The summary report can be converted to an MS Excel file.

Test results can be exported in-groups and imported in SETS programs installed at other sites. This makes it possible for “main offices” to compare SETS test results from different recruitment offices or training facilities.

SETS requires the following:

  • Minimum Pentium IV with 512 MB of RAM.
  • MS Windows 98, MS Windows XP, MS Windows Vista, MS Windows 7.
  • Screen resolution at least 800×600 pixels.

CES

Crew Evaluation System (CES) designed by Seagull to evaluate the background knowledge of seafarers, CES is an online assessment tool used to identify training needs specific to knowledge areas defined in STCW. There is CES version 6 in use now which contains questions from previous versions 4 and 5.

CES is one of the most used tools in the industry to evaluate crew knowledge; it was developed in 1995 and came with its first online solution in 2010. Since then the system has recorded several million test results and are currently installed with more than 350 companies worldwide. It consists of a question database with over 6500 multiple choice questions, specific to the knowledge areas defined in STCW. CES will assist you in the screening and recruitment process and to measure the knowledge level of existing officers and crew. It can also be used as an integral part of a promotional strategy.

The test function offers predefined test types with advanced randomization of questions to avoid users memorizing specific tests. The following tests are available:

  • STCW test, predefined
  • Detailed test, predefined
  • Company specific test, to be defined by your company
  • Maritime English, Reading and Listening test

Advantages of CES

  • Easy to use from any PC, anywhere, anytime
  • No need for any additional software installation
  • Unlimited access for administration
  • Identify training needs (wrong answer summary report)
  • Test results stored and accessible online
  • Company specific tests immediately available from any location
  • Integrated in Seagull Training Administrator (STA)

Since becoming an online solution in 2010, CES has tracked more than 1.000.000 test results and is currently installed with more than 300 companies worldwide.

Marlins English

Use of English language on board is mandatory for seafarers globally. STCW convention and IMO requirements stipulate the need for seafarers to communicate in English language respectively. In response to the seafarers English training needs, Marlins have developed range of products designed for assessment and training of crews. These resources are used for recruitment and training purposes by key employers in ship management, marine leisure and offshore sectors and are implemented worldwide. The Marlins English Language Tests are taken online at our Test Platform.  Our tests use contemporary English testing methodology and enable employers to assess understanding of English quickly and accurately. Test users get the chance to practise each question type before they start the test and help information is available in 14 languages. A certificate of the user’s result can be printed out at the end of the test. The online test also allows larger companies with several test sites to manage the purchase and distribution of tests through one central account. A powerful new reporting feature allows reports to be compiled on purchase history, test balance, test results and enables searches for individual test results. There are three different English Language Tests targeted at specific industries.

The ISF Marlins English Language Test for Seafarers allows ship operators to demonstrate that seafarers, of any nationality, have been assessed on their ability to communicate in English – a necessity that has been given additional emphasis by the ISM Code and the revised STCW Convention.

The Marlins English Language Test for Cruise Ship Staff is tailored specifically for the Cruise Industry. The test is applicable to all marine hotel positions on board cruise ships and can be taken by any nationality in any location worldwide. Test questions have particular emphasis on staff / guest interactions and customer service within a multicultural environment.

The Marlins English Language Test for Offshore Workers is set within the context of the oil and gas industry. However, it focuses on the ability to understand English as opposed to testing specialised technical skills. It is suitable for all nationalities and positions regardless of whether they are based offshore or onshore.

All our tests are taken online at the Marlins Test Platform. You can register your account for free today, and purchase tests online using any major credit / card. The tests will be available immediately in your online account.

Approved Test Centres agree to maintain minimum testing standards as agreed with the UK Maritime & Coastguard Agency (MCA). Passing the Marlins Test at an Marlins approved Test Centre is acceptable evidence of competency in English and candidates who pass the minimum English language requirements will be able to satisfy the MCA’s language requirements for Certificates of Equivalent Competency. Under the Merchant Shipping Regulations (1977), officers serving on UK Merchant ships are required to hold a UK certificate of competency or UK Certificate of Equivalent Competency. Marlins has a network of Approved Test Centres worldwide. You can find an Approved Test Centres (ATC) here.

Seagull training / courses

Do training onboard or online, anytime. In 1996, Seagull has began building an extensive library, becoming pioneers of maritime e-learning. As the leaders in this industry, Seagull specialises in creating educational products that help you achieve effective compliance to ISM, STCW and other IMO standards. You can find them here.

Seagull provides:

  • CLASSROOM COURSES
  • ONBOARD COURSE
  • DISTANCE COURSE
  • E-LEARNING
  • LEARNING FILMS
  • POCKET GUIDES

Delta-Navigator

DELTA-NAVIGATOR software, developed by Admiral Makarov State Maritime Academy and STORM, is intended for examination of Ship’s Navigators in compliance with national and STCW-78/95 requirements. The software includes more than 1300 questions database and covers all aspects of OOW, Chief Officer and Captain training syllabus.

DELTA-NAVIGATOR can be used:

  • as an assessment program at Maritime Certification Commissions;
  • to check shipboard personnel knowledge at shipping and crewing companies;
  • as a part of evaluation exams at Maritime Training Center;
  • for training cadets of navigation department of Maritime Colleges;

Delta-Test Software is a technological basis of DELTA-NAVIGATOR toolkit.

Test results are automatically stored. The report generator in the administrator section offers:

  • Viewing of detailed and summary reports
  • Printing of test results

Content:

  • seaworthiness
  • astronomy
  • search-and-rescue operations
  • actions on receiving a distress signal 
  • vessel manoeuvering
  • route planning
  • position plotting
  • meteorology
  • observation by landmarks
  • electronic navigation systems
  • watchkeeping
  • loading, bracing & unloading
  • dangerous cargo
  • pollution prevention at sea
  • emergency situations
  • support of a vessel in seaworthy state
  • COLREGs 1972
    • Part A. General
    • Part B. Steering And Sailing Rules
    • Part C. Lights And Shapes
    • Part D. Sound And Light SignalsExemption

Tags: CESDELTA-NAVIGATORMARLINS ENGLISHSETS 6000SETS PLUSSTCW