The relevance of Chapter VIII(watchkeeping)of the code Standard of Essay

The relevance of Chapter VIII(watchkeeping)of the code Standard of Training Certification and watchkeeping STCW - Essay Example Spokespersons of the industry were unanimous in addressing the core issue of the matter, which was to ensure that an effective watch is maintained on all the seagoing ships by qualified and fit personnel under all circumstances. With a single pointed focus, the pressing need of an internationally acceptable body, which could lay the road map for outlining the guidelines for protecting its valuable assets was consensually agreed upon.The International Convention on Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (Abbr: STCW) thus came into being on July 7, 1978 and its Standards were adopted for implementation on April 28, 1984 under the auspices of the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) – an established nodal agency for monitoring compliance and implementation by `Parties to the Convention‘; two major revisions of the Standards have since been undertaken in 1995 and 2010 respectively . It became binding on all its members to comply to its stipul ations, in which Part `A‘ measures are `Mandatory.‘ `Recommendations‘ for guidance purposes constitute its Part `B‘ regulations, however with sustained implementation efforts by its members being urged upon. STCW Standards comprise of eight chapters. Chapter I deals with General Provisions; Chapters II & III are `Marine Vessel‘- specific, while Chapters IV, V & VI deal with the Radio Communications, Specialised Manpower Training and Certification aspects. This article is aimed at examining the relevance of the last and concluding Chapter VIII , dealing exclusively with ``Watchkeeping‘‘! Watchkeeping Roles and STCW Regulations ILO (International Labour Organisation) Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) Rules are the premise on which a large number of STCW Regulations have been drawn up. Drafted in tune with the MLC 2006 Rules in general, Standards pertaining to Watchkeeping are driven by the age old adage: ``Prudence is the better part of valourà ¢â‚¬ËœÃ¢â‚¬Ëœ.The Maritime industry can ill afford the luxury of lack of vigilance on the part of its seafarers to be the reason for suffering losses; hence, a prudent Watchkeeping role is deemed pertinent by STCW. There had been several inconsistencies fuelled earlier by a diverse range of interpretations driven by outdated provisions on the Watchkeeping front preceding the advent of STCW, which caused administrative and operational problems. These issues needed immediate redressal. Enunciation of a slew of curative measures then became imminent. Seafarer is a sensitive biological animal too. Cut off from civilisation while on the high seas and working to the rigorous demands of the marine industry in multiple capacities, he is exposed to its occupational hazards, stresses and strains, and thereby to the dangers posed by `fatigue‘, both physically and mentally. There is therefore a lot of emphasis laid on `Rest‘ and to address this issue, STCW brought out the first lot of Amendments under Section A-VIII. It has specified a `Period of Rest’under its mandatory Regulation A-VIII/1, which stipulates