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This draft has been uploaded on the DGS website for public comments for period of
7 days till including and up to 25.11.2025.
Comments if any to be sent by email to ravi.sikarwar@gov.in
DGS Circular No. xx of 2025
(STCW Circular No. 05 of 2025)
File No. 25/11/2025-NT - DGS Comp. No.: 36681 Date: XX.11.2025
Authorized by Subject: Incorporation of new STCW Competence on “Prevention of and
Response to Violence and Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Bullying
Chief Examiner of and Sexual Assault” in PSSR Course which is a part of Basic Safety Training
Master and Mates and (BST) (Course ID 6101 / 6141) - reg.
Chief Examiner of
Engineers.
1. The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for
Seafarers (STCW), 1978, prescribes the minimum standards of training, certification, and
watchkeeping to be maintained by all State Parties to ensure uniformity and safety in international
shipping operations. India, being a Party to the STCW Convention, implements the prescribed
training modules to ensure that seafarers are duly qualified and competent to perform their duties
safely and efficiently.
2. At its 108th session held at IMO Headquarters, London, the Maritime Safety Committee (MSC)
adopted amendments to the STCW Code introducing new training requirements on the prevention
of and response to violence and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual harassment,
bullying, and sexual assault.
3. In pursuance of the above decisions, a new competence titled “Contribute to the prevention of and
response to violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault”
has been incorporated in Chapter VI of the STCW Code, forming part of Table A-VI/1-4 –
Mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic training, and instruction for all
seafarer shall enter into force on 1 January 2026 (Annexure 1 – Highlighted).
4. The said competence aims to enhance awareness, preparedness, and response measures to ensure
a safe and respectful working environment onboard ships.5. Reference is invited to Training Branch Circular No. 26 of 2020 on Guidelines for Personal Safety
and Social Responsibilities (PSSR), which provides the syllabus, course structure, and timetable
for Course ID 6101 (PSSR). In line with the above STCW amendments, the new competence on
violence and harassment prevention and response is hereby added to the said Circular.
6. All Maritime Training Institutes (MTIs) conducting Personal Safety and Social Responsibilities
(PSSR) courses as part of Basic Safety Training Course are directed to revise their curriculum as
per Annexure–2, with the inclusion of an additional three (03) hours in the existing PSSR course.
Accordingly, the total course duration shall now be 29 hours (4 days), in partial modification of the
course outlines prescribed in DGS Training Circular No. 26 of 2020 dated 01.07.2020 and DGS
Training Circular No. 03 of 2025 dated 05.02.2025. The revised course curriculum shall come into
effect from 01 December 2025, and course completion certificates shall be issued only upon
successful completion of the updated module.
7. In addition, the additional competency requirements introduced in the new PSSR course of 3 hours
duration, as specified in Annex 2 of the relevant circular, shall be incorporated in the following
courses with effect from 01.12.2025:
a. Post-Sea Competency Courses for Nautical officers
b. Post-Sea Competency Courses for Engineering officers
c. Revalidation Courses for all Deck Officers
d. Revalidation Courses for all Engineering Officers
8. The certificates issued for the above courses as listed in ser no. 7 shall bear an annotation
indicating completion of the competence on “Prevention of and Response to Violence and
Harassment, including Sexual Harassment, Bullying and Sexual Assault.”
9. All other existing officers and ratings, when ashore, are required to complete the e-learning
programme on the said competence through the DGS Online ADU Learning Management
System (LMS) (e-learning course for PSSR amendment 2026 (Course ID ___) and download the
course completion certificate upon successful completion. Seafarers currently serving
onboard may complete the said course after signing off and before joining next vessel.
10. Shipping companies are instructed to incorporate the above competence in their training and
familiarization programmes for all shipboard personnel.11. This directive shall come into force with effect from 01.12.2025.
This is issued with the approval of the Competent Authority.
(Capt. Ravi Singh Sikarwar)
Nautical Surveyor-cum-DDG(Tech.)
To,
1. DGS Secretariat.
2. Chief Surveyor with the Govt. of India
3. Nautical Advisor to the Govt. of India
4. All Maritime Training Institutes
5. INSA/FOSMA/MASSA/ICCSA
6. Computer CellA
Annexure-1
MSC 108/20/Add.1
Annex 12, page 1
ANNEX 12
RESOLUTION MSC.560(108)
(adopted on 23 May 2024)
AMENDMENTS TO PART A OF THE SEAFARERS' TRAINING,
CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING (STCW) CODE
THE MARITIME SAFETY COMMITTEE,
RECALLING Article 28(b) of the Convention on the International Maritime Organization
concerning the functions of the Committee,
RECALLING ALSO article XII and regulation I/1.2.3 of the International Convention on
Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 ("the 1978 STCW
Convention"), concerning the procedures for amending part A of the Seafarers’ Training,
Certification and Watchkeeping Code ("the STCW Code"),
RECOGNIZING the need for training provisions to prevent and respond to bullying and
harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment,
HAVING CONSIDERED, at its 108th session, amendments to part A of the STCW Code,
proposed and circulated in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(i) of the 1978 STCW Convention,
1 ADOPTS, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(iv) of the 1978 STCW Convention,
amendments to the STCW Code, the text of which is set out in the annex to the present
resolution;
2 DETERMINES, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(vii)(2) of the 1978 STCW
Convention, that said amendments to the STCW Code shall be deemed to have been
accepted on 1 July 2025, unless, prior to that date, more than one third of Parties or Parties
the combined merchant fleets of which constitute not less than 50% of the gross tonnage of
the world’s merchant shipping of ships of 100 gross register tons or more have notified to the
Secretary-General of the Organization that they object to the amendments;
3 INVITES Parties to note that, in accordance with article XII(1)(a)(ix) of the 1978
STCW Convention, the amendments to the STCW Code annexed hereto shall enter into force
on 1 January 2026 upon their acceptance, in accordance with paragraph 2 above;
4 URGES Parties to implement the amendments to section A-VI/1 of the STCW Code
at an early stage;
5 REQUESTS the Secretary-General, for the purposes of article XII(1)(a)(v) of the 1978
STCW Convention, to transmit certified copies of the present resolution and the text of the
amendments contained in the annex to all Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention;
6 ALSO REQUESTS the Secretary-General to transmit copies of this resolution and its
annex to Members of the Organization which are not Parties to the 1978 STCW Convention.
I:\MSC\108\MSC 108-20-Add.1.docxffdd
MSC 108/20/Add.1
Annex 12, page 2
ANNEX
AMENDMENTS TO PART A OF THE SEAFARERS’ TRAINING,
CERTIFICATION AND WATCHKEEPING (STCW) CODE
CHAPTER VI
STANDARDS REGARDING EMERGENCY, OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY,
SECURITY, MEDICAL CARE AND SURVIVAL FUNCTIONS
Section A-VI/1
Mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic training and instruction for
all seafarers
1 Table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety
and social responsibilities) is replaced by the following:
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Knowledge, Methods for Criteria for
Competence understanding and demonstrating evaluating
proficiency competence competence
Comply with Types of emergency which Assessment of Initial action on
emergency may occur, such as collision, evidence obtained becoming aware of
procedures fire, foundering from approved an emergency
instruction or during conforms to
Knowledge of shipboard attendance at an established
contingency plans for approved course emergency
response to emergencies response
procedures
Emergency signals and
specific duties allocated to Information given
crew members in the muster on raising alarm is
list; muster stations; correct prompt, accurate,
use of personal safety complete and clear
equipment
Action to take on
discovering potential
emergency, including fire,
collision, foundering and
ingress of water into the ship
Action to take on hearing
emergency alarm signals
Value of training and drills
Knowledge of escape routes
and internal communication
and alarm systems
Take Basic knowledge of the Assessment of Organizational
precautions to impact of shipping on the evidence obtained procedures
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MSC 108/20/Add.1
Annex 12, page 3
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Knowledge, Methods for Criteria for
Competence understanding and demonstrating evaluating
proficiency competence competence
prevent pollution marine environment and the from approved designed to
of the marine effects of operational or instruction or during safeguard the
environment accidental pollution on it attendance at an marine
approved course environment are
Basic environmental observed at all
protection procedures times
Basic knowledge of
complexity and diversity of
the marine environment
Observe safe Importance of adhering to Assessment of Safe working
working safe working practices at all evidence obtained practices are
practices times from approved observed and
instruction or during appropriate safety
Safety and protective attendance at an and protective
devices available to protect approved course equipment is
against potential hazards correctly used at all
aboard ship times
Precautions to be taken
prior to entering enclosed
spaces
Familiarization with
international measures
concerning accident
prevention and occupational
health1
Contribute to Understand the principles of, Assessment of Communications
effective and barriers to, effective evidence obtained are clear and
communications communication between from approved effective at all
on board ship individuals and teams within instruction or during times
the ship attendance at an
approved course
Ability to establish and
maintain effective
communications
Contribute to Importance of maintaining Assessment of Expected
effective human good human and working evidence obtained standards of work
relationships relationships aboard ship from approved and behaviour are
on board ship instruction or during observed at all
times
1 The ILO Code of practice on accident prevention on board ship at sea and in port may be of assistance in
the preparation of courses.
I:\MSC\108\MSC 108-20-Add.1.docxHighlighted Competence to be
ffdd added in Chapter VI of the STCW
MSC 108/20/Add.1 Code, forming part of Table A-
Annex 12, page 4 VI/1-4 as per the amendments
adopted 108th Session.
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Knowledge, Methods for Criteria for
Competence understanding and demonstrating evaluating
proficiency competence competence
Basic teamworking attendance at an
principles and practice, approved course
including conflict resolution
Social responsibilities;
employment conditions;
individual rights and
obligations; dangers of drug
and alcohol abuse
Contribute to Prevention of violence and Assessment of Acceptable
the prevention harassment: evidence obtained practices and
of and response from approved procedures
to violence and Basic knowledge and instruction or during designed for the
harassment2, understanding of violence attendance at an prevention of
including sexual and harassment, including approved course violence and
harassment, sexual harassment, harassment,
bullying and bullying and sexual including sexual
sexual assault assault, and the continuum harassment,
of harm bullying and
sexual assault are
Basic knowledge and observed at all
understanding of the times
consequences of violence
and harassment, including Able to identify
sexual harassment, violence and
bullying and sexual assault harassment,
on victims, perpetrators, including sexual
bystanders and harassment,
stakeholders, and its bullying and
effects on safety, health sexual assault,
and well- being and the continuum
of harm and its
Understand that, among effects
others, abuse of power
relations, discrimination, Acceptable
stress, isolation, fatigue, practices and
drugs or alcohol may procedures
contribute to violence and designed for the
harassment, including intervention in and
sexual harassment, reporting of
bullying and sexual assault violence and
harassment,
Responding to violence and including sexual
harassment: harassment,
bullying and
sexual assault are
2 As defined in the ILO Violence and Harassment Convention, 2019 (No. 190).
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MSC 108/20/Add.1
Annex 12, page 5
Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4
Knowledge, Methods for Criteria for
Competence understanding and demonstrating evaluating
proficiency competence competence
Ability to identify violence observed at all
and harassment, including times
sexual harassment,
bullying and sexual assault
Basic knowledge of the
action to take to intervene
in and report violence and
harassment, including
sexual harassment,
bullying and sexual assault
Understand the basic
principles of
trauma-informed response
and how to provide
appropriate support to a
victim, bystanders and self
Understand and Importance of obtaining the Assessment of Fatigue
take necessary necessary rest evidence obtained management
actions to control from approved practices are
fatigue Effects of sleep, schedules instruction or during observed and
and the circadian rhythm on attendance at an appropriate actions
fatigue approved course are used at all
times
Effects of physical stressors
on seafarers
Effects of environmental
stressors in and outside the
ship and their impact on
seafarers
Effects of schedule changes
on seafarer fatigue
***
I:\MSC\108\MSC 108-20-Add.1.docxANNEXURE – 2
Course Outline:
Sr. No. Subject area No. of
Hours
1.0 Contribute to the prevention of and response to violence and
harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
1.1 Prevention of violence and harassment: 1.5
1. basic knowledge and understanding of violence and harassment, including
sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault, and the continuum of harm
2. remember basic concepts such as violence, harassment, sexual harassment,
bullying, sexual assault, victims, perpetrators, bystanders, stakeholders, safety,
health, and well-being
3. list causes of violence, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual
assault
4. identify causes of violence, harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, and sexual
assault related to different cultures, religions, and traditions
5. recognize cyber-harassment and cyber-bullying
6. basic knowledge and understanding of the consequences of violence and
harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault on victims,
perpetrators, bystanders and stakeholders, and its effects on safety, health and
well-being
7. recognize the consequences of violence and harassment, including sexual
harassment, bullying and sexual assault on victims, perpetrators, bystanders and
stakeholders, and its effects on safety, health and well-being on board ships
8. analyse the consequences of not preventing violence and harassment, including
sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault on victims, perpetrators,
bystanders and stakeholders, and its effects on safety, health and well-being on
board ships
9. value teamwork, respect for cultural, religious, gender and ethnic diversity, as
well as conflict management and the creation of an inclusive work environment10. understand that, among others, abuse of power relations, discrimination, stress,
isolation, fatigue, drugs or alcohol may contribute to violence and harassment,
including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
11. describe the underlying causes of violence and harassment, including sexual
harassment, bullying and sexual assault
12. identify potential conditions and attitudes, which could increase the risk of
violence and harassment on board
13. identify the factors and risks that may contribute to violence and harassment,
including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault on board
2.2 Responding to violence and harassment 1.5
1. ability to identify violence and harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying
and sexual assault
2. identify behaviours which could trigger violence and harassment, including
sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
3. recognize victims, perpetrators, and bystanders
4. basic knowledge of the action to take to intervene in and report violence and
harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
5. describe the basic procedures to intervene in and report violence and
harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
6. apply the basic procedures to intervene in and report violence and harassment,
including sexual harassment, bullying and sexual assault
7. record cases of violence, harassment, including sexual harassment, bullying and
sexual assault
8. understand the basic principles of trauma-informed response and how to
provide appropriate support to a victim, bystanders and self
9. describe trauma informed response
10. indicate appropriate action to be taken for a trauma-informed response
11. demonstrate how to support victims and bystanders
Total 3.0