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New international regulations intensify the regulations on alcohol and hours of rest at sea
From 21 to 25 June 2010, the IMO held a Diplomatic Conference in Manila. Here, a comprehensive revision of the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) was adopted.
The revised convention – the Manila Amendment – will enter into force in 2012.
The new regulations introduce requirements for improved training of seafarers, also as regards navigation in Arctic regions. The Danish blood alcohol concentration limit of 0.5 has, furthermore, been made international.
The international regulations on hours of rest at sea were also tightened. The main rule is now a minimum of 77 hours of rest a week compared to 70 hours previously. There was also general agreement to make stricter the requirements for the daily hours of rest by restricting the possibility of granting exemptions.
In order to further improve safety at sea, the health requirements were also made stricter.
As something new, requirements will be introduced for knowledge about measures to be taken against acts of piracy and armed attacks against ships, and in the future the seafarers’ training must focus even more on the environment and pollution prevention.
"I am very satisfied with the result. The international standard will be heightened in many important areas and may help improve safety at sea", says Director General of the Danish Maritime Authority Andreas Nordseth.
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