**Executive Summary**
This circular, issued by the Directorate General of Shipping on June 6, 2012, outlines the procedures for implementing the STCW 78 Code as amended in 2010, regarding the examination system for Marine Engineer Officers. Key changes include the discontinuation of the existing examination system after October 1, 2012, and the introduction of revised curriculum-based examinations. New entrants must conform to the revised requirements with effect from July 1, 2013.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Discontinuation of Existing Examination System:**
* After October 1, 2012, all grades of Engineering Competency examinations under the existing system will be discontinued.
* **Revised Examinations Based on STCW 2010:**
* Examinations as per the revised curriculum based on STCW 2010 will commence on October 1, 2012, for Marine Engineer Officer Class IV & Class II and from August 1, 2012, for Marine Engineer Officer Class I.
* Preparatory courses for the new examinations will commence from June 1, 2012, with specific commencement dates for each class to be decided suitably.
* **Up-Gradation Courses for Candidates with Prior Examination Success:**
* Candidates successful in examinations until specified dates in 2012 under the existing system must complete an up-gradation course detailed in STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 2 of 2012, dated 12.01.2012.
* Credit will be given for subjects already passed, but assessment of new competencies will be conducted by the institutes offering the up-gradation course.
* **Preparatory Course Requirements:**
* Directorate General of Shipping approved training institutes must ensure preparatory courses for Marine Engineer Officers Examinations are upgraded and commenced from June 1, 2012.
* **Endorsement of EXN-45 Booklet:**
* Candidates who have passed examinations or upgraded certificates under STCW 2010 for MEO Classes IV and II must have their EXN-45 booklet endorsed.
* The EXN-45 must be produced for each higher-grade examination attempt.
* **Up-Gradation Course Durations for Existing Certificate Holders:**
* Candidates appearing for MEO Class IV CoC need to complete a six-day up-gradation course prior to the oral examination.
* Candidates holding MEO Class IV CoC with MEO Class II preparatory course, or MEO Class II CoC with MEO Class I preparatory course, need to complete an eleven-day up-gradation course prior to the oral examination.
* **Sea Service Requirements:**
* Candidates must meet the qualifying sea service requirements as per STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 14 of 2012, dated 13.02.2012.
* **Eligibility for Upgrading Certificates:**
* Marine Engineer Officers (Class I, II, or IV) with certificates under STCW 1978 as amended in 1995 are eligible to upgrade their certificates in compliance with STCW 2010, as detailed in STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 02 of 2012, dated 12.01.2012.
* **Transitional Period for New Entrants:**
* Candidates starting Pre-Sea training after July 1, 2012, will pursue courses incorporating amendments to the Manila Convention 2010.
* Candidates starting Pre-Sea courses before July 1, 2012, may need to complete an up-gradation course.
**Impact Analysis**
**Marine Engineer Officer Candidates**
* **Impact:** Candidates will need to adapt to the new examination system based on STCW 2010, and undertake up-gradation courses if they have already partially completed examinations under the old system. They also need to ensure they have the appropriate sea service and endorsement of EXN-45 booklets.
* **Action Required:** Candidates must familiarise themselves with the new curriculum, enroll in up-gradation courses if applicable, and comply with all sea service and documentation requirements.
**Directorate General of Shipping Approved Training Institutes**
* **Impact:** Institutes must upgrade their preparatory courses to meet the requirements of the STCW 2010 amendments and commence these courses from June 1, 2012.
* **Action Required:** Institutes must revise their curriculum, training materials, and teaching methods to align with the STCW 2010 standards and the requirements of up-gradation courses.
Key Entities Referenced
STCW 78 as amended in 2010: The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 as amended in 2010, which forms the basis for examination and certification of marine engineers.
Directorate General of Shipping: The issuing authority and primary regulator for implementation of the policy related to examination system for marine engineers.
STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 15 of 2012: The specific circular providing details of the examination system for marine engineers based on the STCW 78 convention as amended.
Merchant Shipping (Standards of Certification & watch - keeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998: National rules under which the Director General of Shipping is authorized to issue the policy.
DIRECTORATE GENERAL OF SHIPPING
Examination, Assessment & Certification IS/ISO Clause No. 7.1
(EAC Branch)
Ref: QMS: EACQP - 07 - Subject: Examination System for Marine Engineer Officers as File No.
1 per STCW 78 as amended in 2010.
Authorized by:CS /DG Circular No: STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 15 of 2012 Date: 06.03.2012
1. Introduction:
1.1 As the shipping Industry and the seafarers are well aware, the International Convention on
Training Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers 1978 as amended in 1995 has further
been amended by the Manila amendments 2010 (herein after referred as STCW 2010) having
entered into force on 1st January 2012 and for completeimplementation by 31st December
2016. The amendments to the Seafarers' Training, Certification and Watch keeping (STCW)
Code, are contained in the mandatory standards regarding provisions of the annex to the 1978
STCW Convention, as amended in Part A, and recommended guidance regarding provisions
of the 1978 STCW Convention, as amended in Part B.
1.2 This Convention requires establishment of training and certification procedures in conformity
with the requirements of the revised Convention with effect from 1st July 2013 for new entrants.
However, the transitional provisions permit existing Certificates of Competency to remain valid
until 31st December 2016 after which such certificates will not be valid for sea service.
2. Following procedures are required to be followed for implementation of the STCW 78 and the
1995 Code
as amended in 2010.
2.1 After 1st October 2012, all grades of Engineering Competency examinations under the existing
system
shall be discontinued.
2.2 Examinations as per the revised curriculum based on STCW 2010 for Marine Engineer Officer
Class IV
& Marine Engineer Officer Class II shall commence from 1st October 2012 & for Marine EngineerOfficer
Class I from 1st August 2012.
Preparatory courses for the new examinations will commence from 1st June 2012 as detailed
below:
PREPARATORY COURSE
GRADE EXAMINATION
COMMENCEMENT
MEO Class IV To be decided suitably October 2012
MEO Class II June 2012 October 2012
MEO Class I June 2012 August 2012
2.3 Any candidate who is successful, in a part of the written or oral examination held till
30th September
2012 for Marine Engineer Officer Classes IV and II, and till 31st July 2012 for Marine Engineer
Officer
Class I examinations under the existing system shall be required to do the up-gradation course
as
detailed in STCW 2010, Training circular no. 2 of 2012, dated 12.01.2012. The candidate will
then be
given credit for the subjects in which he has already passed and be allowed to appear for the
remaining
functions under the STCW 2010 examination system. However, the assessment of the new
competencies due to the implementation of amendments of STCW 2010 will be carried out by
the
institutes conducting the relevant up-gradation course.
2.4 Directorate General of Shipping approved training institutes, conducting preparatory courses are
required
to take necessary measures to ensure that the preparatory courses for Marine Engineer Officers
Examinations have been upgraded and commenced from 1st June 2012.
2.5 Every candidate who has either passed in an examination under the STCW 2010 or has
upgraded his certificate issued under the existing system into that, under the STCW 2010 at the
levels of MEO Classes IV and II, shall have his EXN-45 booklet endorsed to the effect, so that he
may appear for the next higher grade of examination under the STCW 2010. Such an 'EXN-45'
has to be produced by the candidate every-time he appears for the next higher grade of
examination.2.5.1 Candidates appearing for MEO Class IV CoC as per the existing certification scheme under
STCW 1978 as amended in 1995, need to do a six days up-gradation course. This
upgradation course needs to be completed prior the oral examination.
2.5.2 Candidates holding MEO Class IV CoC under STCW 1978 as amended in 1995, who have
undergone MEO Class II preparatory course will be required to do an eleven day up-
gradation course. This upgradation course needs to be completed prior the oral
examination.
2.5.3 Candidates holding MEO Class II CoC under STCW 1978 as amended in 1995, who have
undergone MEO Class I Preparatory Course are also required to do an eleven day up-
gradation course. This upgradation course needs to be completed prior the oral
examination.
2.6 Candidates are required to have qualifying sea service requirements as per STCW 2010
Training Circular No. 14 of 2012, dated 13.02.2012.
2.7 Marine Engineer Officer Class I, Class II or Class IV and possessing Certificate of Competency
issued under the STCW 1978 as amended in 1995 are eligible to upgrade their Certificate of
Competency for complying with STCW 2010.Refer STCW 2010 Training Circular No. 02 of
2012, dated 12.01.2012.
3. New Entrants - Transitional period:
Even though the new amendments require candidates starting their Pre-Sea courses from 1st July
2013 to conform to the new amendments, this administration has implemented as a proactive
measure, that candidates starting their Pre-Sea training course after 1st July 2012 will pursue the
courses, only wherein amendments to the Manila Convention 2010 have been incorporated.
Candidates starting their Pre-Sea Course before 1st July 2012 will be required to do the up-
gradation course as applicable, if the amendments have not been incorporated in their Pre-Sea
courses.
4. This issues with the approval of the Director General of Shipping and ex-officio Additional Secretary
to the Government of India, under the powers conferred in the Chapter IX Rule 47 of Merchant
Shipping (Standards of Certification & watch - keeping for Seafarers) Rules, 1998.
Sd/-
[D. Mehrotra]Dy. Chief Surveyor