The IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 9), that took place 6-10 February 2023 in IMO headquarters, shed its focus on the reports of fraudulent certificates, concluding that there is need for transparency and communication between maritime stakeholders.
Specifically, the Sub-Committee noted information received by the Secretariat (HTW 9/INF.2) on some 145 reports concerning fraudulent certificates detected in 2021 and 2022. It was also noted that some Member States, for completeness, had provided information on certificates and documents beyond the provisions of the STCW Convention, such as ship’s cook certificates, seafarers’ identity documents and medical certificates.
Having agreed that this was a challenge for the maritime industry as a whole and the response should be coordinated among all Member States involved, the Sub-Committee highlighted the need for continuous and transparent communication between flag States and port States on the matter.
The Sub-Committee also reiterated the need for Member States and international organizations to urgently submit proposals on a strategy to address the problems associated with fraudulent certificates of competency.
Furthermore, among other issues, the IMO Sub-Committee validated 10 model courses:
New model courses on:
- Passenger safety, cargo safety and hull integrity training (paragraph 7 and annex 1);
- Engine-room resource management
Revised model courses:
- 1.23 on Proficiency in survival craft and rescue boats other than fast rescue boats
- 1.24 on Proficiency in fast rescue boats
- 1.20 on Fire prevention and fire fighting
- 1.22 on Bridge Resource Management
- 2.03 on Advanced training in fire fighting
- 3.25 on Security awareness training for all port facility personnel
- 3.26 on Security training for seafarers with designated security duties
- 3.27 on Security awareness training for all seafarers.
Lastly, the Sub-Committee reviewed the provisions for familiarization, training and drills in sections I and II of the draft guidelines on mitigation measures to reduce risks of the use and carriage for use of HFO as fuel by ships in Arctic waters, developed by the Sub-Committee on Pollution Prevention and Response (PPR). Proposed amendments were agreed and referred to PPR 10.
