The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) is the key instrument to ensure that ships are operated by competent seafarers.
In 2024, the International Maritime Organization invited the industry to identify gap areas that should be addressed during the upcoming comprehensive review of the STCW.
The IMSF notes that rapid advances in simulation technologies have enabled new and effective methods to teach and assess seafarers. We believe that the use of simulation should be expanded as part of the comprehensive review.
In October 2024, the IMSF convened a working group to identify any gaps that should be addressed as part of the comprehensive review.
A total of four (4) gaps were identified and are listed below. A copy of the working group report is also available for download.
The IMSF encourages IMO Member States and other interested parties to consider our outputs during the comprehensive review of the STCW.
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Within the existing STCW, simulation is considered a form of ‘in-service’ training, allowing seafarers to practically demonstrate their competence. STCW has hardwired simulation technologies and techniques that were available 20 years ago.
The KUP tables in the Code should be reviewed to allow simulation to be used to the extent possible.
Advances in technology have allowed automated simulators to be integrated into onboard eLearning systems allowing seafarers to develop and maintain competencies while onboard the vessel. Deploying simulators in this manner provides many benefits to the seafarer as well as the maritime industry.
Instructors creating asynchronous, simulation-based, learning experiences should have enhanced training in instructional design.
Guidelines should be developed and included in Part B of the Code to assist instructional designers to create asynchronous, simulation-based, learning experiences.
The members of the IMSF note that there is a rapid proliferation of simulation technologies, many of which are using Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality and Mixed Reality. The existing simulator classification system, created by the IMSF in the 1990’s, needs to be revisited taking into consideration simulator accreditation methods developed in other industries .
The performance requirements for simulators should be expanded to require that there is a demonstration of positive learning transfer as part of the accreditation process.