95-10339. Shipping Coordinating Committee; Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW); Meeting

[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 81 (Thursday, April 27, 1995)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 20791]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-10339]



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DEPARTMENT OF STATE
[Public Notice 2194]


Shipping Coordinating Committee; Conference of Parties to the 
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and 
Watchkeeping (STCW); Meeting

    The Shipping Coordinating Committee (SHC) will conduct an open 
meeting at 10 am on Tuesday, June 13, 1995, in Room 2415 of the United 
States Coast Guard Headquarters Building, 2100 2nd Street SW., 
Washington, DC 20593-0001. The primary purpose of the meeting is to 
prepare for the Conference of Parties to the International Convention 
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 
1978 (STCW Conference). Preparations for the International Conference 
on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Fishing 
Vessel Personnel (STCW-F Conference) will also be discussed. These 
Conferences are being convened by the International Maritime 
Organization (IMO), in London, from June 26 to July 7, 1995.
    The STCW Conference is being held to consider adoption of 
amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, 
Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 (STCW Convention). 
The United States became a party to this convention in 1991; and 107 
countries are now parties.
    The proposed amendments to the STCW Convention were prepared by the 
IMO Sub-Committee on Standards of Training and Watchkeeping and were 
approved for circulation by the sixty-fourth session of the IMO 
Maritime Safety Committee.
    Items of particular interest include--

--The role of IMO in overseeing compliance with convention 
requirements;
--Basic safety and familiarization training for all shipboard 
personnel;
--Standards of competence based on demonstration of skills;
--Use of simulation in training and assessment;
--Quality assurance in training, assessment and certification;
--Alternative, function-based certification systems;
--Principles to be observing in keeping a watch;
--Prevention of fatigue; and
--Port State control.

    The STCW-F Conference is being held to consider adoption of a new 
convention which would apply to fishing vessel personnel. Fishing 
vessels are excluded from the scope of application of the STCW 
Convention.
    Items of particular interest include--

--Certification requirements for skippers, deck watch officers and 
engineers on seagoing fishing vessels of 24 meters or more in length; 
and
--Prospects of U.S. ratification of this new instrument.

    Members of the public may attend the meeting up to the seating 
capacity of the room. Interested persons may seek information by 
writing: Mr. Christopher Young, U.S. Coast Guard (G-MVP-4), Room 1210, 
2100 Second Street SW., Washington, DC 20593-0001 or by calling: (202) 
267-0229.

    Dated: April 19, 1995.
Charles A. Mast,
Chairman, Shipping Coordinating Committee.
[FR Doc. 95-10339 Filed 4-26-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-07-M