1 This part of the STCW Code contains recommended guidance intended to assist
Parties to the STCW Convention and those involved in
implementing, applying or enforcing its measures to give the Convention full and
complete effect in a uniform manner.
2 The measures suggested are not mandatory and
the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain Convention
requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in
general represent an approach to the matters concerned which has been
harmonized through discussion within IMO involving, where appropriate,
consultation with the International Labour Organization, the International
Telecommunication Union and the World Health Organization.
3 Observance of the recommendations contained
in this part will assist the Organization in achieving its goal of
maintaining the highest practicable standards of competence in respect
of crews of all nationalities and ships of all flags.
4 Guidance is provided in this part in respect
of certain articles of the Convention, in addition to guidance on
certain regulations in its annex. The numbering of the sections of
this part therefore corresponds with that of the articles and the
regulations of the Convention. As in part A, the text of each section
may be divided into numbered parts and paragraphs, but such numbering
is unique to that text alone.