International Maritime Organization

The 31st session of the IMO Assembly took place at the Headquarters of the Organization from 27 November to 4 December 2019. This publication contains resolutions arising out of this meeting.

La présente publication contient les textes des documents établis à la suite des travaux de la Conférence internationale de 1992 sur la révision de la Convention de 1969 sur la responsabilité civile et de la Convention de 1971 portant création du Fonds, qui s'est réunie à Londres en novembre 1992, ainsi que les textes récapitulatifs des deux Conventions, telles que modifiées par les Protocoles de 1992.

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.

This publication contains:

• the Final Act of the International Conference on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, held in London in 1995
• resolutions adopted by the Conference
• a complete text of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), 1995

The Convention presents comprehensive regulations governing the training and certification of fishing vessel personnel.

This publication contains:

• −  the Final Act of the International Conference on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel, held in London in 1995
• −  resolutions adopted by the Conference
• −  a complete text of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), 1995

The Convention presents comprehensive regulations governing the training and certification of fishing vessel personnel.