International Maritime Organization

This publication only constitutes guidance and is intended to assist national administrations in implementing the London Protocol, whether they are currently Contracting Parties or simply interested in becoming Parties. It is not to be construed as providing definitive interpretations of the Protocol or how its provisions should be applied. It remains at all times the prerogative of Contracting Parties to interpret the obligations to which they have become bound under the Protocol.

This course is intended to provide an introduction to the administration and management of a maritime Search and rescue (SAR) service to assist States in meeting their own SAR needs, and the obligations they accepted under the International Convention on Maritime Search and Rescue, 1979 and its amendments together with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, and its amendments.

This course provides specific training for those who may be designated to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Search and rescue mission coordinator (SMC) at a maritime or joint rescue coordination centre or sub-centre for a Search and rescue (SAR) incident, and is based on the content of the 2019 edition of IAMSAR Manual Volume II. The course highlights SMC-relevant issues for the organization of a maritime SAR service in general, and assists States in meeting their own SAR needs, and the obligations they accepted under the International Convention on Maritime Search and rescue, 1979, as amended, together with the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS), 1974, as amended.

This model course is one of a set of three based on the three volumes of the IAMSAR Manual: Model Course 3.13 SAR Administration, is intended for government administration and management as discussed in IAMSAR Manual Volume I; and Model Course 3.15 SAR On-scene Coordinator, is intended for mobile SAR response facilities as discussed in IAMSAR Manual Volume III. Together, the three model courses for the three volumes of the IAMSAR Manual provide a full view of the global and national SAR system.

As navigational and safety communications from ship to shore and vice versa, from ship to ship, and on board ship must be precise, simple and unambiguous so as to avoid confusion and error, there is a need to standardize the language used. 

Under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as revised in 1995, the ability to use and understand the IMO SMCP is required for the certification of officers in charge of a navigational watch on ships of 500 gross tonnage or more.

This publication includes the Code of Safety for Special Purpose Ships, 2008 (2008 SPS Code), the new International Code of Safety for Ships Carrying Industrial Personnel (IP Code), and SOLAS chapter XV on safety measures for ships carrying industrial personnel.

The 2008 SPS Code sets safety standards for special purpose ships carrying ‘special personnel’ such as scientists and technicians involved in specific onboard activities. The IP Code, which came into force on 1 July 2024, extends these safety principles to ships transporting ‘industrial personnel’. This new code addresses the safety requirements for the offshore and energy sectors, ensuring safer transport and transfer of personnel involved in offshore industrial activities.

The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention), aims to promote safety of life and property at sea, and the protection of the Marine environment by establishing international standards of training, certification and watchkeeping for seafarers.

This publication contains the Final Act of the 2010 Conference of Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention, resolutions adopted by that Conference, and a complete, consolidated text of the STCW Convention, its original articles, revised annex and supporting STCW Code. This publication also includes the amendments to the Convention and the Code adopted in 2014, 2015 and 2016.

By clicking on the “Read” button on this page you will be accessing the PDF of the full book. To access the Full-Text version and PDFs of the individual chapters, click on the “Chapters” tab and select the chapter you would like to read.

This publication contains the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995, including amendments that enter into force on 1 January 2026, and introduces the new Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) Code.

Al hacer clic en el botón “Read” en esta página, accederá al PDF del libro completo. Para acceder a la versión de texto completo y a los PDF de los capítulos individuales, haga clic en la pestaña “Chapters” y seleccione el capítulo que desea leer.

La presente publicación contiene el Convenio internacional sobre normas de formación, titulación y guardia para el personal de los buques pesqueros, 1995 (Convenio STCW-F), incluidas las enmiendas que entran en vigor el 1 de enero de 2026, y el Código sobre normas de formación, titulación y guardia para el personal de los buques pesqueros (Código STCW-F).

The International Conference on the Suppression of Unlawful Acts Against the Safety of Maritime Navigation, 1988 (SUA Convention) reproduces the texts of the 1988 and 2005 Treaties, their consolidated versions and the Final Acts of the 1988 and 2005 Conferences. Also included are the texts of the original Convention for the Suppression of Unlawful Acts against the Safety of Maritime Navigation (SUA), 1988 and its Protocol, the Final Act of the 2005 Conference, the two Protocols adopted by that Conference, as well as the consolidated text of the 2005 SUA Convention and the consolidated text of the 2005 SUA Fixed Platforms Protocol. The purpose of these internationally agreed measures is to improve security and reduce the risk to the lives of passengers and crews on board ships.

This course provides basic training in the safe packing and securing of cargoes in cargo transport units.

The course is essentially balanced between theory (lecture material), practical group exercises and case studies. It consists of a series of exercises structured around the requirements of the international legislation, IMO conventions and instruments, and the required common and homogeneous approach, application of consistent methodology and no blame culture to adopt in the conduct of Maritime safety investigations into marine casualties and marine incidents; as well as to provide reports to the Organization.

This model course is for candidates who will undertake fishing operations on board ship, in accordance with chapter III, regulation 1.6, and attachment 2, resolution 4, annex 2.2 of STCW-F. It covers the requirements of the STCW-F and IMO/FAO/ILO Document for Guidance on Training and Certification of Fishing Vessel Personnel, chapter 6.24 and 6.29, and is open to all fishing vessel personnel who are to serve on board sea-going Fishing vessels. There are no particular educational entry requirements.

Developed by a joint working group of the International Labour Organization (ILO) and IMO, these guidelines are designed to help Administrations, shipowners and seafarers meet their obligations under ILO Convention No. 180 (Seafarers’ Hours of Work and the Manning of Ships Convention) and IMO’s STCW Convention, 1978, as amended in 1995.

They provide a standardized table showing shipboard working arrangements, a standard format for records of seafarer’s daily hours of work and rest and guidelines for monitoring compliance.

This model course is intended to provide the knowledge required to enable personnel without designated security duties in connection with a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) to enhance security in accordance with the requirements of Chapter XI-2 of SOLAS 74 as amended, the ISPS Code, the IMDG Code, the IMO/ILO Code of Practice on Security in Ports, and guidance contained in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1341. Successful trainees should contribute to the enhancement of maritime security through heightened awareness and the ability to recognize security threats and respond appropriately.

This model course is intended to provide the knowledge required for port facility personnel with designated security duties, such as guards, access control officers, training officers and relevant port facility managers, in connection with a Port Facility Security Plan (PFSP) to perform their duties in accordance with the requirements of SOLAS, chapter XI-2, the ISPS Code, the IMDG Code, the IMO/ILO Code of Practice on Security in Ports, and guidance contained in IMO MSC.1/Circ.1341 on Guidelines on Security-related training and familiarization for port facility personnel.

This model course is for candidates who will undertake fishing operations on board ship, in accordance with chapter III, regulation 1.6, and attachment 2, resolution 4, annex 2.2 of STCW-F. It covers the requirements of the STCW-F and IMO/FAO/ILO Document for Guidance on Training and Certification of Fishing Vessel Personnel, chapter 6.24 and 6.29, and is open to all fishing vessel personnel who are to serve on board sea-going Fishing vessels. There are no particular educational entry requirements.

La trente-deuxième session de l’Assemblée de l’OMI s’est tenue au Siège de l’Organisation du 6 au 15 décembre 2021. La présente publication contient les résolutions adoptées lors de l'Assemblée.

This model course is intended to provide knowledge to those who may be designated to perform the duties and responsibilities of a Ship Security Officer (SSO), as defined in section A/2.1.6 (and section A/12) of the ISPS Code and in section A-VI/5 of the STCW Code, as amended, and in particular the duties and responsibilities with respect to the security of a ship, for implementing and maintaining a Ship Security Plan and for liaising with the Company Security Officer (CSO) and with Port Facility Security Officers (PFSOs).

This model course is essentially a practical one and consists of a series of exercises structured around the operation of the cargo and ballast installation of an oil tanker and carried out in conjunction with a simulator.

Le présent cours consiste essentiellement en une série d'exercices structurés autour de l'exploitation de l'installation de cargaison et de ballast d'un chimiquier et effectués sur un simulateur.

The standards of competence that have to be met by fishing vessel personnel are defined in the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, 1995 (STCW-F). It sets out the education and training requirements for achieving those standards. Specifically, this course covers the minimum standard of competence for skippers on Fishing vessels of 24 metres in length and over, operating in unlimited waters.

This course covers the mandatory training requirements for masters, chief mates, chief engineer officers, second engineer officers and every person assigned immediate responsibility for embarking and disembarking passengers, loading, discharging or securing cargo or closing hull openings on board passenger and ro–ro ships. It is based on the provisions of section A-V/2 and table A-V/2 of the STCW Code.

This course aims to meet the mandatory standards of competence in conducting surveys of electrical installations, particularly in verifying compliance with IMO conventions related to ship safety. Tailored to the trainees’ needs and experience levels, the course is a key resource to aid trainees in mastering essential survey procedures and verification techniques in compliance with international standards.

This course covers the requirements of the initial, annual, intermediate and periodical surveys, as specified in SOLAS. It does not cover preliminary design or plan approvals, nor does it cover the survey or inspection of chemical tankers, Gas carriers, special purpose ships or mobile offshore units.

Le présent cours type a pour but de fournir la formation aux candidats pour assurer les opérations de pêche à bord des navires, conformément au paragraphe 6 de la règle 1 du chapitre III, et de l'annexe 2.2 de la résolution 4 du Document joint numéro 2 de la Convention STCW-F 95 de l'OMI. Le présent programme du cours englobe les prescriptions de la Convention STCW-F de 1995 et celles des chapitres 6.24 et 6.29 du Document FAO/OIT/OMI destiné à servir de guide pour la formation du personnel des navires de pêche et la délivrance des brevets. Le cours est ouvert à tout le personnel des navires de pêche appelé à servir à bord des navires de pêche en mer. Il n'y a pas de prescriptions scolaires particulières pour l'admission.