Capt Dubey Reports on the IMO HTW9 at CMMI Monthly Meet

Padmesh Prabhune

Photos take from Jaggu

Capt CL Dubey BSc, Extra Master, Principal & Owner of Mumbai Maritime Training Institute (MMTI), Mumbai and Fellow and Warden of ‘The Company of Master Mariners of India’ (CMMI), a professional body representing Master Mariners with the purpose of developing and promoting the traditions and standards of the Merchant Navy in India, at its monthly lecture meeting on Thursday, 23rd March held at the Mumbai Maritime Training Institute (MMTI), presented a report on the IMO HTW9 Committee meeting recently held in London from 6 to 10 February 2023.

Capt Dubey cast light on various matters discussed at the HTW Sub-Committee meeting. He mentioned the names of individuals present in person at the meeting, like Dr Raut Pandurang K- DDG, (Training & E Gov) Team Leader; Capt Manish Kumar, Nautical Surveyor Cum DDG Tech, DG Shipping; Mr Senthil Kumar, E & SS, DG Shipping; Capt C L Dubey CMMI rep; Capt Rajeev Nayyar, IMEI rep, and Capt KN Deboo, MASSA rep; while those participating online were Capt MC Yadav, FOSMA; Capt Shiv Halbe, MASSA; Capt Philip Mathew, INSA; and Capt Vinod Naveen, IMU.

The draft text was developed by the Working Group on the Comprehensive Review of the 1978 STCW Convention and Code and the Sub-Committee noted the discussions and support of the Group to develop and include a standalone competence relating to psychological safety within section A-VI/1 and table A-VI/1-4 during the ongoing comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.

The Sub-Committee endorsed the Working Group’s recommendation to add a reference to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) provisions on bullying and harassment and to align the language when revising Model Course 1.21 (Personal Safety and Social Responsibility). The Correspondence Group on the review of the STCW Convention and Code established during the meeting, was invited to prepare draft terms of reference for the revision of Model Course 1.21 to include the competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including SASH.

The Sub-Committee also endorsed the Working Group’s agreement to give more detailed consideration concerning the evidence of maintaining the standard of competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including SASH, during the process of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.

Capt Dubey informed about the majors decisions taken on IMO Model training Courses. The Drafting group was headed by Capt Vinayak Mohla. The Group finalized 10 IMO model courses which were approved and sent for printing. This included Passenger Safety, Cargo Safety, and Hull integrity Training, followed by Engine Room Resource Management, Revised IMO Model Course 1.20, Revised IMO Model Course 2.03, Revised IMO Model Course 1.23, Revised IMO Model Course 1.24 and Revised IMO Model Course 1.22.

He also mentioned about the courses that are planned for review and validation in the next two years time. These include IMO Model Course 1.32, IMO Model Course 1.35, IMO Model Course 3.20, IMO Model Course 3.21, IMO Model Course 3.23, IMO Model Course1.25, and IMO Model Course 1.26.

However the highlights of the convention were-

Training for fishers – review of 1995 STCW-F Convention completed
The Sub-Committee completed its work to revise and update the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F), which was adopted by IMO in 1995. The review updates and amends the provisions in the Convention. Competencies have been transferred to an associated new mandatory Code, the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing Vessel Personnel (STCW-F) Code.

The Sub-Committee agreed to the revised STCW-F Convention and the draft new STCW-F Code, for submission to the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC) at its 107th session (31 May-7 June 2023) for approval, with a view to subsequent adoption at MSC 108 (to be held in the first half of 2024). Progress was also made on the finalization of draft guidelines on the medical examination of fishing vessel personnel, which will be completed by the Joint ILO/IMO Working Group on the Medical Examination of Fishing Vessel Personnel, with a view to submission to MSC 108 for approval, in conjunction with the adoption of the revised 1995 STCW-F Convention and the new STCW-F Code. The Joint ILO/IMO Working Group is scheduled to meet in the first quarter of 2024.

STCW training provisions on bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH)

The Sub-Committee agreed to draft amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH).

The move follows the agreement by the MSC at its 105th session to instruct the HTW Sub-Committee to develop and finalize, as a matter of priority, relevant STCW training provisions in advance of the completion of the ongoing comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.  
Capt Dubey informed that Indian delegation had mentioned that such a course already exists in India in Pre Sea and Post Sea courses.

It was agreed that following approval by MSC 107 and consideration by the joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG), the draft amendments should be referred back to HTW 10 in early 2024 for final consideration, with a view to adoption at MSC 108.

The new provisions will apply to all seafarers by means of amendments to the STCW Code, table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities), consisting of a new competence: Contribute to the prevention of and response to bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Capt Dubey expressed his gratitude to CMMI for sponsoring him to HTW 9 meeting and DG Shipping / Govt of India for approving him to be part of the delegation.

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