Section A-VI/1 Mandatory minimum requirements for safety familiarization, basic training and instruction for all seafarers

Safety familiarization training

1 Before being assigned to shipboard duties, all persons employed or engaged on a seagoing ship, other than passengers, shall receive approved familiarization training in personal survival techniques or receive sufficient information and instruction, taking account of the guidance given in part B, to be able to:

• .1 communicate with other persons on board on elementary safety matters and understand safety information symbols, signs and alarm signals;

• .2 know what to do if:

  • .2.1 a person falls overboard,

  • .2.2 fire or smoke is detected, or

  • .2.3 the fire or abandon ship alarm is sounded;

• .3 identify muster and embarkation stations and emergency escape routes;

• .4 locate and don lifejackets;

• .5 raise the alarm and have basic knowledge of the use of portable fire extinguishers;

• .6 take immediate action upon encountering an accident or other medical emergency before seeking further medical assistance on board; and

• .7 close and open the fire, weathertight and watertight doors fitted in the particular ship other than those for hull openings.

Basic training ^footnote

2 Seafarers employed or engaged in any capacity on board ship on the business of that ship as part of the ship’s complement with designated safety or pollution-prevention duties in the operation of the ship shall, before being assigned to any shipboard duties:

• .1 receive appropriate approved basic training or instruction in:

  • .1.1 personal survival techniques as set out in table A-VI/1-1,

  • .1.2 fire prevention and fire fighting as set out in table A-VI/1-2,

  • .1.3 elementary first aid as set out in table A-VI/1-3, and

  • .1.4 personal safety and social responsibilities as set out in table A-VI/1-4;

• .2 be required to provide evidence of having achieved the required standard of competence to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of tables A-VI/1-1, A-VI/1-2, A-VI/1-3 and A-VI/1-4 through:

  • .2.1 demonstration of competence, in accordance with the methods and the criteria for evaluating competence tabulated in columns 3 and 4 of those tables, and

  • .2.2 examination or continuous assessment as part of an approved training programme in the subjects listed in column 2 of those tables.

  3 Seafarers qualified in accordance with paragraph 2 in basic training shall be required, every five years, to provide evidence of having maintained the required standard of competence, to undertake the tasks, duties and responsibilities listed in column 1 of tables A-VI/1-1 and A-VI/1-2.

  4 Parties may accept onboard training and experience for maintaining the required standard of competence in the following areas:

• .1 personal survival techniques as set out in table A-VI/1-1:

  • .1.1 don a lifejacket;

  • .1.2 board a survival craft from the ship, while wearing a lifejacket;

  • .1.3 take initial actions on boarding a lifeboat to enhance chance of survival;

  • .1.4 stream a lifeboat drogue or sea-anchor;

  • .1.5 operate survival craft equipment; and

  • .1.6 operate location devices, including radio equipment;

• .2 fire prevention and fire fighting as set out in table A-VI/1-2:

  • .2.1 use self-contained breathing apparatus; and

  • .2.2 effect a rescue in a smoke-filled space, using an approved smoke-generating device aboard, while wearing a breathing apparatus.

Exemptions

5 The Administration may, in respect of ships other than passenger ships of more than 500 gross tonnage engaged on international voyages and tankers, if it considers that a ship’s size and the length or character of its voyage are such as to render the application of the full requirements of this section unreasonable or impracticable, exempt to that extent the seafarers on such a ship or class of ships from some of the requirements, bearing in mind the safety of people on board, the ship and property and the protection of the marine environment.