Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping

STCW, the IMO convention that sets the minimum training, certification, and watchkeeping standards for seafarers worldwide, first adopted 1978 and substantially revised by the 1995 and 2010 (Manila) amendments. It defines the competencies for each rank, mandatory rest hours, refresher and security training, and the certificates of competency that flag states issue and recognize. A ship’s crew matrix and minimum safe manning document are built on STCW certification.