1 This part of the STCW Code contains mandatory
provisions to which specific reference is made in the annex to the
International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and
Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended, hereinafter referred
to as the STCW Convention. These provisions
give in detail the minimum standards required to be maintained by
Parties in order to give full and complete effect to the Convention.
2 Also contained in this part are standards of
competence required to be demonstrated by candidates for the issue
and revalidation of certificates of competency under the provisions
of the STCW Convention. To clarify the
linkage between the alternative certification provisions of chapter VII and the certification provisions
of chapters II, III and IV,
the abilities specified in the standards of competence are grouped,
as appropriate, under the following seven functions:
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.1 Navigation
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.2 Cargo handling and stowage
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.3 Controlling the operation of the ship and care
for persons on board
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.4 Marine engineering
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.5 Electrical, electronic and control engineering
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.6 Maintenance and repair
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.7 Radiocommunications
at the following levels of responsibility:
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.1 Management level
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.2 Operational level
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.3 Support level
Functions and levels of responsibility are identified by subtitle
in the tables of standards of competence given in chapters II, III and IV of this part. The scope of the function
at the level of responsibility stated in a subtitle is defined by
the abilities listed under it in column 1 of the table. The meaning
of “function” and “level of responsibility”
is defined in general terms in section
A-I/1 below.
3 The numbering of the sections of this part corresponds
with the numbering of the regulations contained in the annex to the STCW Convention. The text of the sections may
be divided into numbered parts and paragraphs, but such numbering
is unique to that text alone.